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| Mary Kiffmeyer Secretary of State |
"Every legal citizen has the right to privately cast 1 vote & only 1 vote. And have it counted honestly and recorded accurately." - Mary Kiffmeyer
The secretary of state, an elected official, is the keeper of the great seal of the State of Minnesota and files and certifies the authenticity of a wide variety of official documents. These include: gubernatorial proclamations, appointments and executive orders, the enrolled acts of the Minnesota Legislature, rules, and some municipal documents. The secretary also maintains a computerized version of the original land survey notes from the 1800s and township plat maps. The original notes are archived by the Minnesota Historical Society, while current land survey notes and township plat maps are held at their respective county offices.
The secretary registers a variety of business organizations including corporations, assumed business names, banks, insurance companies, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, and limited partnerships. Other business-related filings include trade and service marks, auctioneer's licenses, legal newspaper registrations and financing statements filed pursuant to the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). The secretary also accepts service of process on businesses under certain specific circumstances.
A statewide computerized network with county recorders is maintained so that the public may search Uniform Commercial Code records throughout the state from any filing office. Business information is also available for a fee at any county courthouse through this communications network.
The secretary of state is the chief election official in Minnesota and is responsible for administration of the Minnesota election law. In this capacity, the secretary of state operates the statewide voter registration system and prepares the official roster of voters for every election conducted in Minnesota. Other election activities include: certifying voting systems, conducting administrative recounts, accepting filings by candidates for multi-county offices, and training of local election officials. The secretary of state is also the chair of the state canvassing board and certifies the results of state elections.
The secretary of state administers the open appointments process and
publishes the Minnesota Legislative Manual, a compendium of federal,
state and county government information, as well as the election law book,
election judge training guides, official election results, and the Minnesota
Elected Officials booklet.
| Mary Kiffmeyer SECRETARY OF STATE |
"All this must be done with the greatest of integrity. In fact, integrity is the cornerstone of the Secretary of State's Office. Without confidence in the voting process our campaigning and hard work becomes meaningless." - Mary Kiffmeyer