The state Secretary of State is responsible for a wide range of government activities:

• Election related: The Secretary of State is often the state’s main election official and operates the office that registers candidates. Citizens can usually get voter registration and poll location information on websites of the Secretary of State.
• Business related: The Secretary of State’s office usually registers businesses and nonprofit organizations.
• Other duties: In some instances, the Secretary of State oversees the state’s archives or library, the department of administration that handles the state’s operations, and issues automobile registration.

SOS websites often provide access to searchable election and business databases, for free or for a fee, and publishes information on how to establish a business in the state.

The Lt. Governors of Alaska, Hawaii, and Utah are responsible for many of the functions usually associated with the Secretary of State.