Georgia Secretary of State
| Georgia Secretary of State | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $123,637 |
| 2024 FY Budget: | $36,758,934 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 4 years |
| Authority: | Georgia Constitution, Article V, Section 3, Paragraph I |
| Selection Method: | Elected |
| Current Officeholder | |
Georgia Secretary of State
Brad Raffensperger | |
| Elections | |
| Next election: | November 3, 2026 |
| Last election: | November 8, 2022 |
| Other Georgia Executive Offices | |
| Governor•Lieutenant Governor•Secretary of State•Attorney General•Treasurer•Auditor•Superintendent of Schools•Agriculture Commissioner•Insurance Commissioner•Natural Resources Commissioner•Labor Commissioner•Public Service Commission | |
The Secretary of State for Georgia, an elected constitutional official, is responsible for a wide range of services and regulatory duties, in addition to being the keeper of the Great Seal of Georgia and the custodian of the state flag and other state symbols. The secretary of state also chairs the Claims Advisory Board, which receives, investigates, and hears civil claims against the state.
Responsibilities of the secretary's office include supervising and monitoring elections and providing campaign finance disclosure, managing and preserving public records, providing educational programs about the capitol, and licensing, monitoring, and registering professionals and businesses. The office includes the divisions of archives, elections, corporations, securities and business regulation, professional licensing boards, and the state capitol. Attached agencies are the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust, Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency, State Ethics Commission, and the Georgia Real Estate Commission and Appraisers Board.
Georgia has a Republican triplex. The Republican Party controls the offices of governor, secretary of state, and attorney general.
Current officeholder
The current officeholder is Republican Brad Raffensperger. Raffensperger won the general runoff election on December 4, 2018, after advancing from the general election on November 6, 2018. He assumed office on January 14, 2019.[1]
Authority
The office of secretary of state is established in Article V, Section 3, Paragraph I of the Georgia Constitution.
Georgia Constitution, Article V, Section 3, Paragraph I
|
The Secretary of State... shall be elected in the manner prescribed for the election of members of the General Assembly and the electors shall be the same.[2] |
Qualifications
Article V, Section 3, Paragraph II of the state Constitution describes the qualifications required of the secretary of state:[2]
- Must have been a citizen of the United States for 10 years
- Must have been a legal resident of the state for four years immediately preceding election or appointment
- Must have attained the age of 25 years by the date of assuming office.
Elections
The secretary of state is elected to four-year terms during federal midterm election years (2018, 2022, 2026, etc.). All Georgia constitutional executive officers take office on the same day the Georgia Legislature begins its session, i.e. the second Monday of January in the year following their election.
2022
General election
General election for Georgia Secretary of State
Incumbent Brad Raffensperger defeated Bee Nguyen, Ted Metz, and Brenda Nelson-Porter in the general election for Georgia Secretary of State on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Brad Raffensperger (R) | 53.2 | 2,081,241 |
 | Bee Nguyen (D) | 44.0 | 1,719,922 | |
 | Ted Metz (L)  | 2.8 | 108,884 | |
 | Brenda Nelson-Porter (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 154 | |
| Total votes: 3,910,201 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary runoff election
Democratic primary runoff for Georgia Secretary of State
Bee Nguyen defeated Dee Dawkins-Haigler in the Democratic primary runoff for Georgia Secretary of State on June 21, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Bee Nguyen | 77.0 | 198,511 |
 | Dee Dawkins-Haigler | 23.0 | 59,310 | |
| Total votes: 257,821 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Georgia Secretary of State
Bee Nguyen and Dee Dawkins-Haigler advanced to a runoff. They defeated Michael Owens, Floyd Griffin, and John Eaves in the Democratic primary for Georgia Secretary of State on May 24, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Bee Nguyen | 44.3 | 309,437 |
| ✔ | | Dee Dawkins-Haigler | 18.7 | 130,278 |
 | Michael Owens | 16.4 | 114,621 | |
 | Floyd Griffin | 10.8 | 75,423 | |
 | John Eaves | 9.8 | 68,233 | |
| Total votes: 697,992 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Georgia Secretary of State
Incumbent Brad Raffensperger defeated Jody Hice, David Belle Isle, and Torri M. Hudson in the Republican primary for Georgia Secretary of State on May 24, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Brad Raffensperger | 52.4 | 611,616 |
 | Jody Hice | 33.3 | 389,447 | |
 | David Belle Isle | 8.8 | 103,272 | |
 | Torri M. Hudson | 5.4 | 63,646 | |
| Total votes: 1,167,981 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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2018
General runoff election
General runoff election for Georgia Secretary of State
Brad Raffensperger defeated John Barrow in the general runoff election for Georgia Secretary of State on December 4, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Brad Raffensperger (R) | 51.9 | 764,855 |
 | John Barrow (D) | 48.1 | 709,049 | |
| Total votes: 1,473,904 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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General election
General election for Georgia Secretary of State
Brad Raffensperger and John Barrow advanced to a runoff. They defeated Smythe DuVal in the general election for Georgia Secretary of State on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Brad Raffensperger (R) | 49.1 | 1,906,588 |
| ✔ | | John Barrow (D) | 48.7 | 1,890,310 |
 | Smythe DuVal (L) | 2.2 | 86,696 | |
| Total votes: 3,883,594 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary runoff election
Republican primary runoff for Georgia Secretary of State
Brad Raffensperger defeated David Belle Isle in the Republican primary runoff for Georgia Secretary of State on July 24, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Brad Raffensperger | 61.8 | 329,708 |
| David Belle Isle | 38.2 | 204,194 | |
| Total votes: 533,902 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Georgia Secretary of State
John Barrow defeated Dee Dawkins-Haigler and R.J. Hadley in the Democratic primary for Georgia Secretary of State on May 22, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Barrow | 51.5 | 264,864 |
| Dee Dawkins-Haigler | 29.5 | 151,963 | |
 | R.J. Hadley | 19.0 | 97,682 | |
| Total votes: 514,509 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Georgia Secretary of State
Brad Raffensperger and David Belle Isle advanced to a runoff. They defeated Joshua McKoon and Buzz Brockway in the Republican primary for Georgia Secretary of State on May 22, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Brad Raffensperger | 35.0 | 185,386 |
| ✔ | | David Belle Isle | 28.5 | 151,328 |
 | Joshua McKoon | 21.1 | 112,113 | |
 | Buzz Brockway | 15.4 | 81,492 | |
| Total votes: 530,319 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Ken Brown (R)
2014
| Secretary of State of Georgia, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Brian Kemp Incumbent |
57.5% | 1,452,554 | |
| Democrat | Doreen Carter | 42.5% | 1,075,101 | |
| Total Votes | 2,527,655 | |||
| Election results via Georgia Secretary of State | ||||
Term limits
There are no term limits for the secretary of state.
Vacancies
Per Article V, Section 2, Paragraph VIII of the Georgia Constitution, the governor fills vacancies in the office of secretary of state by appointment. The appointee must be confirmed by a majority vote of the Georgia Senate and serves out the remainder of the previous officeholder's term.[2]
Duties
The primary duties of the secretary of state are to: register corporations in the state of Georgia, run the state's election system, oversee licensure of certain professions, and regulate the state's securities market. Additionally, the secretary of state maintains the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta and the Georgia State Archives.
Elections
The Office of the Secretary of State coordinates and monitors all election activity: this includes voter registration; municipal, state, county, and federal elections; campaign finance disclosure for state and federal candidates and political action committees; and certification of election results.
The Georgia State Capitol office also is responsible for certifying the qualification of candidates and the preparation of ballots and election forms and materials. As a result of legislation passed by the Georgia General Assembly in 2001, the office is responsible for removing the names of deceased electors from the voter registration lists statewide. The secretary chairs the State Election Board, which investigates election fraud and enforces state election law. As part of an effort to modernize state election procedures, the Twenty-first Century Voting Commission and the secretary of state's office worked to establish a statewide uniform election system, which was implemented for the first time in November 2002.
The secretary's office receives campaign finance disclosure and personal finance disclosure forms from candidates for state offices. Since June 30, 2001, all statewide candidates have been required to file their disclosure reports electronically so that the reports may be posted on the secretary of state's Web site. Although the secretary's office receives and makes campaign finance disclosure reports available to the public, disclosure violations are investigated by the State Ethics Commission, which is granted the authority to administer the Ethics in Government Act. This commission is responsible for overseeing the disclosure reports of an estimated 6,000 public officials of state, county, and municipal governments in Georgia, the registration of lobbyists and maintenance of lobbyist disclosure reports, and maintenance of vendor disclosure reports.
Public Records
As part of its mandated duties, the Office of the Secretary of State is responsible for public records, such as maps, surveys, grants, agency rules and regulations, and laws. This material is made publicly available through the Georgia Code.
The state archives division collects, manages, preserves, and makes available for research the official records of Georgia from 1732 until the present. Included among the archival materials are historical land records, records of state and local governments, and records and photographs of families, businesses, civic organizations, and churches. The division coordinates the work of the Georgia Historical Records Advisory Board and, under the direction of the State Records Committee, manages all state records.
Educational Programs
The Georgia Capitol Museum, updated in 2000 and housed on the fourth floor of the capitol, provides information and displays about Georgia history and contains many Georgia artifacts.
The Capitol Education program serves as an educational forum for state government. It holds public events throughout the year both to inform the public about legislative processes and to provide an additional site for legislative hearings to receive public input. Additionally, the secretary's office is responsible for providing tours of the capitol. The Georgia Commission on the Holocaust is attached to the office of the secretary of state. The mission of this body is to provide Holocaust education programs for teachers and students of Georgia's middle and high schools and to the general public.
Regulatory Responsibilities
In its regulatory capacity, the office of the secretary of state provides education and examinations, issues licenses and collects license fees, investigates complaints or violations of the law, and issues reprimands.
The corporations division registers and regulates foreign and domestic corporations and others seeking to do business in the state. It also registers and regulates nonprofit organizations and other types of corporate activities. Another function of this division is the registration of trademarks and service marks.
The professional licensing boards division provides administrative and investigative support for thirty-four occupational and professional regulatory boards in sixty-four trades and professions, regulating more than 700,000 active and inactive licensees to provide consumer protection. Duties include reviewing and approving licenses to practice, scheduling examinations, issuing licenses and collecting fees, investigating violations, and resolving complaints. In 1999 this board moved to a facility in Macon in order to improve customer service and accessibility.
The securities and business regulation division regulates investment advisors, the issuance and sale of securities, and the solicitation of charitable contributions. This division is also responsible for registering cemeteries, auditing perpetual care trusts, and regulating perpetual care cemeteries and paid solicitors.
The Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency provides support for the State Board of Pharmacy by providing inspections and investigations of pharmacies and by enforcing state laws governing controlled substances and poisons. The agency also is responsible for destroying expired and outdated controlled substances.
The Georgia Real Estate Commission provides regulation for real estate brokers and salespersons, as well as support for the Georgia Real Estate Appraisers Board. To ensure efficiency and fairness in all qualifying examinations, the commission contracts for the development and administration of the exams. Tests are given by computer, and applicants receive their results on the day of the examination.
Divisions
- Updated January 13, 2021
- Executive Office
- Corporations
- Elections
- Professional Licensing Boards
- Securities
- Personnel[3]
State budget
- See also: Georgia state budget and finances
The budget for the Office of Secretary of State in Fiscal Year 2024 was $36,758,934.[4]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
The salaries of elected executive officials in Georgia are determined by state law as mandated in the Georgia Constitution. Article V of the state Constitution indicates that the Georgia State Legislature determines salaries for governor, lieutenant governor and "other elected executives."[2]
Article V, Section 3, Paragraph III
| Text of Paragraph III:
Powers, Duties, Compensation, and Allowances of Other Executive Officers Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, the General Assembly shall prescribe the powers, duties, compensation, and allowances of the above executive officers and provide assistance and expenses necessary for the operation of the department of each. |
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $123,637, according to the Council of State Governments.[5]
2021
In 2021, the secretary of state received a salary of $123,637, according to the Council of State Governments.[6]
2020
In 2020, the secretary of state received a salary of $123,637, according to the Council of State Governments.[7]
2019
In 2019, the secretary of state received a salary of $123,637, according to the Council of State Governments.[8]
2018
In 2018, the secretary of state received a salary of $123,637, according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
2017
In 2017, the secretary of state received a salary of $123,637, according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2016
In 2016, the secretary of state received a salary of $123,637, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2015
In 2015, the secretary of state received a salary of $130,690, according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2014
In 2014, the secretary received a salary of $130,690, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2013
In 2013, the secretary received a salary of $123,637, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2010
In 2010, the secretary received a salary of $123,636.
Historical officeholders
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Georgia Secretary of State has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Georgia Secretary of State. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Contact information
Capitol Address:
214 State Capitol
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Telephone: (404) 656-2881
Fax: (404) 656-0513
E-mail: [email protected]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "SECRETARY BRAD RAFFENSPERGER," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Justia, "Georgia Constitution Art. V," accessed February 23, 2015
- ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "Department and Staff Directory," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑ Georgia.gov, "HB 19 - FY 2024 Appropriations Bill," accessed December 6, 2023
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 22, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑ The Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2013, Table 4.11," accessed January 13, 2021
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