Style The Honorable | Salary $130,490 | |
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Term length Four years, two term limit Inaugural holder William Van Voorhies
1849 Formation California Constitution Website California Secretary of State | ||
The Secretary of State of California is the chief clerk of the U.S. State of California, overseeing a department of 500 people. The Secretary of State is elected for four year terms, like the state's other constitutional officers, and is restricted by term limits to only two terms. The current Secretary of State, Alex Padilla, took office on January 5, 2015.
The Secretary of State is the California's Chief Elections Officer, overseeing all federal and state elections in the state and maintaining a database of registered voters. They are also responsible for disclosure of campaign and lobbyist financial information, under the California Political Reform Act of 1974.
The Secretary of State's office also has a number of responsibilities related to corporations; the largest portion office is the Business Programs Division, which handles corporate filings. The Business Entities Section processes, files and maintains records related to corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships and other business entities conducting or planning to conduct business in California.
The Secretary's office also maintains a number of registries, including the Safe at Home confidential address program, and the Domestic Partners and Advance Health Care Directive. Other roles include safeguarding the California State Archives, and they are a trustee of the California Museum, though not they have not been responsible for the California State Library since 1862.