[1] Chacón was first elected to the office of Secretary of State in 1922, two years after the 19th Amendment guaranteed women the right to vote.

Lieutenant Governor José A. Baca had died earlier in the year, leaving the Secretary of State next in the line of succession.

She was the second woman to serve as chief executive of a U.S. state after Carolyn B. Shelton, who acted as governor of Oregon for three days in 1909.

Upon taking office, Chacón told reporters "I am anticipating no serious problems during Governor Hinkle's absence, but should any occur I don't believe I shall have any difficulty in handling them.

"[5] She undertook several actions as governor, including signing a requisition for New Mexico National Guard funding and issuing a pardon.