What does Kentucky’s secretary of state do?

BY MARK PAYNE | LINK nky REPORTER

When former President Donald Trump falsely claimed that President Joe Biden stole the 2020 election, the move placed a greater emphasis on the integrity of elections in the U.S.

In each state, the secretary of state serves as the chief election official and, consequently, the position came under increased scrutiny after Trump’s claims.

The position is now a hotly contested battleground with increased prominence in elections.

Every four years, Kentucky holds elections for the state’s constitutional seats, including secretary of state. In 2023, Kentuckians will have the choice to elect a new secretary of state or re-elect Michael Adams.

But what does a secretary of state do? LINK nky talked with Michon Lindstrom, the communications director for Michael Adams, about the role.

What does a secretary of state do?

ML: Most notably, the secretary of state is the chief election official. All statewide (and) judicial (candidates) or candidates who represent more than one county must file with the office in order to run. In addition, the secretary of state serves as chair of the State Board of Elections.

Second, the secretary of state is just that: He is literally the secretary of the state. He is responsible for keeping a register of all official acts of the governor. This is the Executive Journal. The Executive Journal contains pardons, restorations of civil rights, requisitions and extraditions, appointments, proclamations and reorganizations.

The secretary of state is also the filing agent for enacted legislation and legislation that is vetoed by the governor after sine die. (Sine die is the last day of the legislative session.)

Third, the secretary of state is the chief business official of the state. All businesses must register and renew their registration with the office.

Finally, the secretary of state is responsible for housing records pertaining to Kentucky land patents, including those issued prior to 1792 when Kentucky was part of Virginia.

Editor’s note: A land patent is a legal document assigning official ownership of a piece of land by a sovereign entity, like the US government.

Has the position changed in recent years, and if so, why and how?

ML: Yes, the secretary of state was removed as chair of the State Board of Elections in 2019. The chair position was reinstated by legislation in 2022.

Editor’s note: The office was put under probation in 2019 after former Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes was inves- tigated on charges of using the state’s voter registration system in a “power grab” that gave her sway over the State Board of Elections. The Legislature then took an emergency measure to remove the secretary of state as the chair of the State Board of Elections.

Across the country and in Kentucky, we’ve seen attempts in recent years to discredit election integrity. Now, the secretaries of state – including Kentucky’s – are charged with fighting back against this onslaught. How has that changed the role of what the

ML: Not in statute but in practice. The Secretary of State and (his or her) employees spend a lot of their time correcting or dispelling misinformation. The disinformation about the election process that has gained prominence since 2020 has elevated the position of SOS to become more notable. It is important that the public know the SOS and other election officials are the only source of trusted election information.