[2] In the event of a vacancy in the office of the secretary of state, the governor may appoint a successor to serve the balance of the term.

[4] The secretary of state is keeper of the Great Seal as prescribed by the Minnesota Constitution.

[7] Additionally, a statewide computerized network jointly maintained by the Office of the Secretary of State and county recorders allows the public to file and search Uniform Commercial Code and tax lien records throughout the state.

[8] Hand in hand with business registration and the safekeeping of government records, the secretary of state also administers the open appointments process for state agencies and Safe at Home, Minnesota's address confidentiality program for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other types of crime.

[11] Perhaps the most visible and significant duty of the Secretary of State, however, is the administration of Minnesota's election laws.