Connecticut Secretary of State
| Connecticut Secretary of State | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $110,000 |
| 2024 FY Budget: | $11,479,000 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 4 years |
| Authority: | Connecticut Constitution, Article IV, Section 1 |
| Selection Method: | Elected |
| Current Officeholder | |
Connecticut Secretary of State
Stephanie Thomas | |
| Elections | |
| Next election: | November 3, 2026 |
| Last election: | November 8, 2022 |
| Other Connecticut Executive Offices | |
| Governor•Lieutenant Governor•Secretary of State•Attorney General•Treasurer•Comptroller•Commissioner of Education•Agriculture Commissioner•Insurance Commissioner•Energy & Environmental Protection Commissioner•Labor Commissioner•Public Utilities Regulatory Authority | |
The Secretary of the State for Connecticut is designated by the Constitution and General Statutes of Connecticut as the official keeper of a wide array of public records and documents. The office registers and licenses businesses and commercial lenders, runs the state's elections, officially documents legislation, regulations and other acts of the state government, and responds to information requests. It also publishes, distributes, and sells the State Register and Manual and other publications.
Connecticut has a Democratic triplex. The Democratic Party controls the offices of governor, secretary of state, and attorney general.
Current officeholder
The current Connecticut Secretary of State is Stephanie Thomas (D). Thomas assumed office in 2023.
Authority
The office of secretary of the state is established in the state Constitution.
Connecticut Constitution, Article IV, Section 1
|
A general election for ... secretary of the state... shall be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday of November, 1966, and quadrennially thereafter. |
Qualifications
There are no specific qualifications for this office.
Elections
Secretaries of state are elected to four-year terms in federal midterm election years (2014, 2018, 2022, etc.) and take office on the first Wednesday after the first Monday in the January following the election.[1]
General Statutes of Connecticut, 9-146-181
|
At the state election to be held in 1966, and quadrennially thereafter, there shall be elected a Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary, Treasurer, Comptroller and Attorney General to hold their respective offices from the Wednesday following the first Monday of the January next succeeding their election until the Wednesday following the first Monday of the fifth January succeeding their election and until their successors are qualified. |
Term limits
Connecticut state executive officers, including the secretary of the state, does not face term limits.
2022
General election
General election for Connecticut Secretary of State
Stephanie Thomas defeated Dominic Rapini and Cynthia Jennings in the general election for Connecticut Secretary of State on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Stephanie Thomas (D / Working Families Party) | 55.2 | 687,714 | |
| Dominic Rapini (R) | 42.7 | 532,218 | ||
| Cynthia Jennings (Independent Party) | 2.0 | 25,488 | ||
| Total votes: 1,245,420 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Connecticut Secretary of State
Stephanie Thomas defeated Maritza Bond in the Democratic primary for Connecticut Secretary of State on August 9, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Stephanie Thomas | 75.8 | 84,514 | |
| Maritza Bond | 24.2 | 26,956 | ||
| Total votes: 111,470 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Hilda Santiago (D)
- Matthew L. Lesser (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Connecticut Secretary of State
Dominic Rapini defeated Terrie Wood in the Republican primary for Connecticut Secretary of State on August 9, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Dominic Rapini | 58.2 | 51,219 | |
| Terrie Wood | 41.8 | 36,749 | ||
| Total votes: 87,968 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Brock Weber (R) (Unofficially withdrew)
2018
General election
General election for Connecticut Secretary of State
Incumbent Denise Merrill defeated Susan Chapman, Mike DeRosa, and Heather Gwynn in the general election for Connecticut Secretary of State on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Denise Merrill (D) | 55.9 | 764,067 | |
| Susan Chapman (R) | 42.5 | 580,779 | ||
| Mike DeRosa (G) | 0.9 | 12,469 | ||
| Heather Gwynn (L) | 0.8 | 10,361 | ||
| Total votes: 1,367,676 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
2014
| Secretary of State of Connecticut, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Denise Merrill Incumbent |
51% | 533,543 | |
| Republican | Peter Lumaj | 46.7% | 489,515 | |
| Green | Mike DeRosa | 2.3% | 24,038 | |
| Total Votes | 1,047,096 | |||
| Election results via Connecticut Secretary of State | ||||
2010
General election
| 2010 Race for Secretary of State - General Election[2] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote Percentage | |
| Democratic Party | 52.9% | ||
| Republican Party | Jerry Farrell | 43.8% | |
| Independent | Michael J. Telesca | 1.3% | |
| Green Party | S. Michael DeRosa | 1.2% | |
| Libertarian Party | Ken Mosher | 0.8% | |
| Total Votes | 1,105,203 | ||
Republican Primary
- 2010 Race for Secretary of State - Republican Primary
- Jerry Farrell ran unopposed in this contest
Democratic Primary
| 2010 Race for Secretary of State - Democratic Primary[3] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote Percentage | |
| Democratic Party | 62.9% | ||
| Democratic Party | Gerry Garcia | 37.1% | |
| Total Votes | 169,981 | ||
| Click [show] to see election information dating back to 1998 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2002
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Vacancies
When a vacancy occurs in the office of secretary, the legislature votes a replacement into office if it is in session. Otherwise the governor appoints a replacement.[7]
General Statutes of Connecticut, 9-146-213
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(a) If the office of Secretary of the State or Comptroller becomes vacant, the General Assembly, if in session, shall fill it; but, if the vacancy occurs when the General Assembly is not in session or if the General Assembly fails to make an appointment to fill the vacancy, it shall be filled by the Governor. |
Duties
As of January 14, 2021, the stated mission of the secretary of state's office was:[8]
| “ | Through the commitment of a knowledgeable staff and advanced technology, the Office of the Secretary of the State works as a team to provide a wide range of services for the people and businesses of Connecticut.
We are a repository of records for the State, and provide important information and resources regarding business and commercial filings, elections, and authentication as prescribed by the constitution, and federal and state laws. We seek to support business development opportunities, and foster a more inclusive political process by educating, informing and engaging communities in youth and civic preparation.[9] |
” |
Divisions
As of January 14, 2021, divisions within the Secretary of State's Office included:[8]
- Business Services
- Elections and Voting
- State Agency Regulations
- Information Technology
- Management and Support Services
State budget
- See also: Connecticut state budget and finances
The budget for the Office of the Secretary of State for 2024 Fiscal Year was $11,479,000.[10]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
The salaries of Connecticut's elected state executives are determined by law as mandated by the Connecticut Constitution.[11] Article IV, Section 7 of the state constitution also requires all changes in salary to take effect following the next election for the affected offices:
| Text of Section 7:
The compensations of the governor and lieutenant-governor shall be established by law, and shall not be varied so as to take effect until after an election, which shall next succeed the passage of the law establishing such compensations. |
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $110,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2021
In 2021, the secretary of state received a salary of $110,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2020
In 2020, the secretary of state received a salary of $110,000 according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2019
In 2019, the secretary of state received a salary of $119,625 according to the Council of State Governments.[15]
2018
In 2018, the secretary of state received a salary of $110,000 according to the Council of State Governments.[16]
2017
In 2017, the secretary of state received a salary of $110,000 according to the Council of State Governments.[17]
2016
In 2016, the secretary of state received a salary of $110,000 according to the Council of State Governments.[18]
2015
In 2015, the secretary of state received a salary of $110,000 according to the Council of State Governments.[19]
2014
In 2014, the secretary received a salary of $110,000 according to the Council of State Governments.[20]
2013
In 2013, the secretary received a salary of $110,000 according to the Council of State Governments.[21]
2012
In 2012, the secretary received a salary of $110,000 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 Connecticut 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 Connecticut Secretary of State Merrill. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Contact information
Capitol Address:
165 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: (860) 509-6200
See also
| Connecticut | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ General Statutes of Connecticut, "9-146-181," accessed January 14, 2021
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State - 2010 General Election Results
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State - 2010 Primary Election Results
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State - 2006 General Election Results
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State - 2002 General Election Results
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State - 1998 General Election Results
- ↑ General Statutes of Connecticut, "9-146-213," accessed January 14, 2021
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Connecticut Secretary of State, "Agency Overview," accessed January 14, 2021
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Connecticut Office of Policy and Management, "2024-2025 Biennial Budget," accessed December 6, 2023
- ↑ Justia, "2012 Connecticut General Statutes," accessed February 20, 2015
- ↑ 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 22, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2020," accessed January 14, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2019," accessed January 14, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2018," accessed January 14, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2017," accessed January 14, 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 November 14, 2014
- ↑ The Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2013, Table 4.11," accessed February 2, 2014
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