Thesecretary of state of Texasis one of the six members of the executive department of theStateofTexasin the United States. Under theConstitution of Texas,the appointment is made by thegovernor of Texas,with confirmation by theTexas Senate.
| Secretary of State of Texas | |
|---|---|
 Seal of the Texas secretary of state | |
| Appointer | Thegovernor withSenateadvice and consent |
| Formation | March 18, 1836 |
| First holder | Samuel Price Carson |
The officeholder is the chief elections officer, the protocol officer for state and international matters, as well as the liaison for the governor on Mexican and border matters.[2]
The secretary of state offices are in theJames Earl Rudder State Office Buildingat 1019 Brazos Street inAustin;the main building handles business and public filings, statutory documents, administrative code open meetings and the UCC. The secretary of state elections office is on the second floor of the James Earl Rudder Building.[3]The executive offices are in Room 1E.8 in theTexas State Capitol.[4][5][6]
Duties
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Under the Texas Constitution the secretary of state is, with the governor, thelieutenant governor,thecomptroller of public accounts,thecommissioner of the Office of General Landand theattorney general,one of the six members of the Executive Department. Of these offices all are elected by the voters in statewide elections except the secretary of state, who is nominated by the governor and confirmed by the Senate.
The secretary of state administers the Texas Election Code and maintains public filings; the officeholder is the keeper of theSeal of the State of Texas.[8]The Secretary of State also issues appointments fornotaries public.[9]
History
editThe "Father of Texas",Stephen F. Austin,was appointed Secretary of State of the Republic of Texas by PresidentSam Houstonin 1836.[10]
Since then, Texas became a state of the United States in 1845 and there have been 115 Secretaries of State.[1]
See also
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References
edit- ^ab"Appointment of Secretary Nelson by Governor Abbott"(PDF).www.sos.state.tx.us.January 5, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 15,2023.
- ^"About the Office."Secretary of State of Texas.Accessed August 31, 2008.
- ^"Contact Us".www.sos.state.tx.us.Retrieved2018-08-08.
- ^"SOS Map and Driving Directions to the Texas Secretary of State Office."Secretary of State of Texas.Accessed August 31, 2008.
- ^"Thomas Jefferson Rusk Building."State Office of Risk Management.Accessed August 31, 2008.
- ^"Transmitting Documents to the Secretary of State."Secretary of State of Texas.Accessed October 24, 2008.
- ^"National Register of Historic Places Listings --January 16, 1998".www.nps.gov.Retrieved8 April2018.
- ^"Constitutional Duties."Secretary of State of Texas.Accessed August 31, 2008.
- ^"Government Code Chapter 406. Notary Public; Commissioner of Deeds".www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us.Retrieved8 April2018.
- ^"History of the Office."Secretary of State of Texas.Accessed August 31, 2008.