Oregon Secretary of State
| Oregon Secretary of State | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $77,000 |
| 2023-25 FY Budget: | $112,516,622 |
| Term limits: | 8 years in a 12 year period |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 4 years |
| Authority: | Oregon Constitution, Article VI, Section 1 |
| Selection Method: | Elected |
| Current Officeholder | |
Oregon Secretary of State
Tobias Read | |
| Elections | |
| Next election: | November 7, 2028 |
| Last election: | November 5, 2024 |
| Other Oregon Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission |
The Secretary of State of Oregon is an elected constitutional officer within the executive branch of the Oregon state government and is first in line of succession to the governor. The secretary of state serves as the auditor of public accounts, chief elections officer, and administrator of public records.[1]
Oregon has a Democratic triplex. The Democratic Party controls the offices of governor, secretary of state, and attorney general.
Current officeholder
The current Oregon Secretary of State is Tobias Read (D). Read assumed office in 2025.
The office of the Oregon Secretary of State is established in Article VI, Section 1 of the Oregon Constitution.
Article VI, Section 1:
| There shall be elected by the qualified electors of the State, at the times and places of choosing Members of the Legislative Assembly, a Secretary, and Treasurer of State, who shall severally hold their offices for the term of four years; but no person shall be eligible to either of said offices more than Eight in any period of Twelve years.[2] |
Qualifications
There are no specific qualifications for this office.
Vacancies
Article 5, Section 16 of the state Constitution outlines how vacancies in the office are to be filled. The governor fills any vacancy by appointment that expires when a successor has been elected and qualified.[3]
The Oregon Constitution requires the governor to appoint a successor from the same political party as the predecessor. An appointed secretary of state is also ineligible to ascend to the governor's office in case of gubernatorial vacancy.[4]
Duties
Article 6, Section 2 of the state Constitution requires that the secretary of state keep a fair record of the official acts of both the legislative assembly and the executive department of the state.[5]
The official duties of the office are outlined in Chapter 177 of the Oregon Statutes:[6]
- Keep a record of the official acts of the Oregon Department of Administrative Services and, when required, lay the same and all matters relative thereto before each branch of the legislature.
- Affix the seal of the state to, and countersign all commissions and other official acts issued or done by the Governor, approbation by the Governor of the laws excepted, and make a register of such commissions, specifying to whom given or granted, the office conferred, with the date and tenor of the commission, in a book to be provided for that purpose.
- Be charged with the safekeeping of all enrolled laws and resolutions and not permit them to be taken out of the office or inspected, except in the presence of the Secretary of State, unless by order of the Governor, or by resolution of one or both houses of the legislature, under penalty of $100.
- Keep the office open during business hours at all times, Sundays excepted.
Elections
Oregon state government organizational chart
The secretary of state is elected every four years in presidential election years.
2024
- See also: Oregon Secretary of State election, 2024
General election
Democratic primary election
Republican primary election
2020
- See also: Oregon Secretary of State election, 2020
General election
Democratic primary election
Watch the Candidate Conversation for this race!
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Jennifer Williamson (D)
- Cameron Smith (D)
- Ryan Wruck (D)
Republican primary election
Libertarian convention
Pacific Green Party convention
2016
- See also: Oregon Secretary of State election, 2016
The general election for secretary of state was held on November 8, 2016.
The following candidates ran in the Oregon secretary of state election.[7]
| Oregon Secretary of State, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Dennis Richardson |
47.44% | 892,669 | |
| Democratic/Progressive/Working Families | Brad Avakian | 43.27% | 814,089 | |
| Independent Party of Oregon | Paul Damian Wells | 3.45% | 64,956 | |
| Pacific Green Party of Oregon | Alan Zundel | 2.53% | 47,576 | |
| Libertarian | Sharon Durbin | 2.50% | 46,975 | |
| Constitution Party | Michael P. Marsh | 0.81% | 15,269 | |
| Total Votes | 1,881,534 | |||
| Source: Oregon Secretary of State |
Full history
To view the electoral history dating back to 2000 for the office of Oregon Secretary of State, click [show] to expand the section. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2012
Incumbent Kate Brown (D) defeated Knute Buehler (R) and three minor-party challengers in the general election on November 6, 2012.
2008On November 4, 2008, Kate Brown won election to the office of Oregon Secretary of State. She defeated Rick Dancer (R) and Seth Alan Woolley (PG) in the general election.
2004 On November 2, 2004, Bill Bradbury won re-election to the office of Oregon Secretary of State. He defeated Betsy L. Close (R) and Richard Morley (L) in the general election.
2000 On November 7, 2000, Bill Bradbury won re-election to the office of Oregon Secretary of State. He defeated Lynn Snodgrass (R), Lloyd Marbet (PAC) and E.J. (Ed) Pole, II (L) in the general election.
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Term limits
In Oregon, the secretary of state is subject to term limits. As specified in Article VI, Section 1 of the Oregon State Constitution, an officeholder is allowed to remain in the position for eight years in a 12-year period.
Divisions
- Audits: This division provides oversight of public spending. It conducts financial and performance audits.
- Business Services: This division engages in fiscal planning, financial statement reporting, Comprehensive Annual Financial Report preparation, disbursement of funds, and more.
- Corporation: This division administers business filings, including corporation and other business and organization formation, and those related to the Uniform Commercial Code. It is also in charge of operating the notaries public system.
- Elections: This division oversees state elections and the initiative, referendum, and referral process. The division interprets and applies election laws. It also keeps a record of data on past elections.
- Human Resources: This division oversees new employee orientation, training, performance management, and career development.
- Information Systems: This division handles information technology.
- State Archives: This division maintains the official records of Oregon government, provides public access to them, and publishes the Oregon Blue Book and the Oregon Administrative Rules.[8]
State budget
- See also: Oregon state budget and finances
The budget for the Secretary of State's office for the 2023-25 biennium was $112,516,622.[9]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
See statutes: Chapter 292, Section 311 of the Oregon Statutes
The secretary of state, along with the rest of Oregon's elected executives, is entitled to an annual salary, payable monthly, in accordance with Title 28, Chapter 292, Section 311 (§ 292.311) of the Oregon Statutes. The amount of compensation the secretary of state receives was set at $77,000 a year beginning January 1, 2014, plus $250 per month regularly for miscellaneous, job-related expenses.
2023
In 2023, the officer's salary was $77,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $77,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2021
In 2021, the secretary of state received a salary of $77,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2020
In 2020, the secretary of state received a salary of $77,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2019
In 2019, the secretary of state received a salary of $77,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2018
In 2018, the secretary of state received a salary of $77,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[15]
2017
In 2017, the secretary of state received a salary of $77,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[16]
2016
In 2016, the secretary of state received a salary of $77,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[17]
2015
In 2015, the secretary of state received a salary of $77,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[18]
2014
In 2014, the secretary was paid an estimated $76,992, according to the Council of State Governments.[19]
2013
In 2013, the secretary was paid an estimated $72,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[20]
2012
In 2012, the secretary was paid an estimated $72,000, according to the Council of State Governments.
Historical officeholders
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Oregon 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 Oregon Secretary State. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Contact information
Capitol Address:[21]
Oregon Secretary of State
136 State Capitol
Salem, OR 97310
Phone: (503) 986-1523
Fax: (503) 986-1616
General email: oregon.sos@oregon.gov
See also
| Oregon | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Oregon State Executive Offices Oregon State Legislature Oregon Courts | 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 Oregon elections: 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 | Party control of state government State government trifectas State of the state addresses Partisan composition of governors |
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Oregon Secretary of State, "Present Duties," accessed January 21, 2021
- ↑ Oregon Legislature, "Oregon Constitution, Article VI, Section 1," accessed January 21, 2021
- ↑ Oregon Legislature, "Oregon Constitution, Article V Section 16," accessed January 21, 2021
- ↑ Oregon Legislature, "Oregon Constitution, Article V Section 8a," accessed January 21, 2021
- ↑ Oregon Legislature, "Oregon Constitution, Article VI, Section 2," accessed January 21, 2021
- ↑ Oregon Legislature, "Chapter 177 — Secretary of State," accessed January 21, 2021
- ↑ Oregon Secretary of State, "November 8, 2016, General Election Abstract of Votes," accessed May 25, 2017
- ↑ Oregon Secretary of State, "Divisions," accessed January 21, 2021
- ↑ Oregon Legislature, "2023-25 Budget Highlights Update," accessed December 6, 2023
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 21, 2025
- ↑ 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 28, 2022
- ↑ ISSUU, "The Book of the States | 2020 | Volume 52," accessed January 19, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed January 19, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed January 19, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed January 19, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed December 8, 2014
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," January 28, 2014
- ↑ Oregon Secretary of State, "Office of the Secretary of State," accessed January 21, 2021
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