States, cities & tribes
secretary of state (state office)
The state officer who typically runs elections, maintains business registrations, and keeps official state records. Not to be confused with the federal Secretary of State.
In full
In most states this is the chief election official, responsible for voter registration systems, certifying results, and issuing guidance to county officials. The office is elected in most states and appointed in others, and a few states assign election duties to a board or commission instead.
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.