Secretary of State of California Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Secretary of State of California
State flag
Great Seal of the State of California
Incumbent Shirley Weber since January 29, 2021
Government of California
Style	The Honorable Madam Secretary
Term length	Four years, two term limit
Inaugural holder	William Van Voorhies 1849
Formation	Constitution of California
Succession	Fourth
Salary	$163,917

The Secretary of State of California is a very important job in the U.S. state of California. This person is like the state's main clerk and leads a big team of about 500 people. They are chosen by voters for a four-year term. Just like other top state officials, they can only serve two terms in this role. The current Secretary of State is Shirley Weber, who started her job in 2021. She took over after Alex Padilla became a U.S. Senator.

What Does the Secretary of State Do?
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What Does the Secretary of State Do?

The Secretary of State's office has many key responsibilities that help California run smoothly. They make sure elections are fair and keep important records for the state.

Overseeing Elections

The Office of the Secretary of State of California in Sacramento, where important state work happens.

The Secretary of State is California's main elections officer. This means they are in charge of all federal and state elections that happen in California. They also keep a huge list of everyone who is registered to vote. This office also makes sure that information about money used in political campaigns and by lobbyists (people who try to influence laws) is made public. This is part of a law called the California Political Reform Act of 1974.

Helping Businesses and Corporations

A big part of the Secretary of State's job involves businesses. The Business Programs Division helps companies and other groups get started and keep their records updated in California. They process and store important documents for corporations, limited liability companies, and other types of businesses. This makes sure that businesses follow the rules when they operate in the state.

Managing Important Registries

The office also keeps several important lists, called registries. One is the "Safe at Home" program, which helps people keep their home addresses private if they are at risk. They also manage registries for domestic partners and advance health care directives. The Secretary of State is also responsible for protecting the California State Archives, which are historical documents and records of California. They also serve on the board of trustees for the California Museum. However, they have not been in charge of the California State Library since 1862.

How the Office is Organized

The Secretary of State's Office is divided into six main parts, each with its own special tasks:

Executive Division: This is the main leadership part. It also includes teams that focus on keeping elections safe from cyber threats and checking new voting technologies.
Elections Division: This team handles everything related to elections, from voter registration to counting ballots.
Political Reform Division: This part keeps track of lobbyists and how money is spent in political campaigns.
Management Services Division: This division handles the office's daily operations, like accounting, human resources (managing staff), and keeping the buildings running.
Business Programs Division: This team helps register new companies and provides services like notary public certifications.
State Archives: This division takes care of California's historical documents. It also manages the State Museum, which is located at the Secretary of State's main office in downtown Sacramento.

The Secretary of State's Office also works closely with the state's Voting Modernization Board to make voting better and easier for everyone.