Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia
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The Secretary of the Commonwealth is a member of the Cabinet of the Governor of Virginia in the United States. The office is currently held by Katherine Hanley.
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[edit] Duties of the Secretary of the Commonwealth
- Serving as the Keeper of the Seal of the Commonwealth
- Assisting the Governor in the appointment of thousand individuals to serve on state *boards and commissions
- Issuing the Commissions of Notaries Public
- Authentication of documents
- Registering lobbyists
- Issuing the "Bluebook", officially "The Report of the Secretary of the Commonwealth," an annual publication that identifies, "(a) the boards of visitors of all public institutions, and other boards appointed by the Governor; (b) all commissions issued under appointments made by the Governor, except commissions to notaries public; (c) all departments, boards, councils, commissions, and other collegial bodies created in the executive branch of state government; and (d) such other matters as the Governor requires. " - The Report as defined by the Code of Virginia
- Issuing a State Government Organization Chart
- Handling pardons and clemencies, extradition, and service of processes. Although the Secretary is involved, the Governor is responsible for granting pardons and clemency, as well as authorizing extradition. The Secretary of the Commonwealth's Office handles the paperwork on behalf of the Governor.
In a unique twist of Virginia law, unlike other members of the Governor's Cabinet, the Secretary of the Commonwealth does not resign immediately upon the inauguration of a new Governor, but remains in office for an additional week, serving a fixed term of four years, in order to ensure a smooth transition and ensure continuity in government.
[edit] History
Although the office has evolved over the years, the job has always involved the safekeeping of the Great Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Under the Virginia Constitution of 1901, the Secretary of the Commonwealth was an elected post, along with the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General. Under Virginia's current constitution, enacted in 1971, and with the creation of the Governor's Cabinet during the administration of Governor A. Linwood Holton Jr., the Secretary of the Commonwealth has been an appointed member of the Governor's Cabinet.
[edit] Partial list of Secretaries of the Commonwealth
- Ben Dendy (1982-1986)
- Sandra Bowen (1986-1990)
- Ruby Grant Martin (1990-1994)
- Betsy Davis Beamer (1994-1998)
- Anne Petera (1998-2002)
- Anita Rimler (2002-2006)
- Katherine Hanley (2006-Present)
[edit] External links
- Official Website of the Secretary of the Commonwealth
- Code of Virginia regarding the Appointment and Term of Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth
- Code of Virginia regarding the Duties of the Secretary of the Commonwealth
