Secretary of State's Duties

Elections

The secretary of state serves as Nebraska's chief election officer. The Elections Division is responsible for the election process in Nebraska. Duties include accepting filings and tabulating results for statewide, legislative, judicial retention and certain district elections; accepting filings for statewide initiative and referendum petitions; administering election law; and supervising the conduct of elections. The division is responsible for implementing the federal Help America Vote Act.

Business Services

The Business Services Division provides several important functions for the business community. Registrations are recorded for corporations (for-profit and nonprofit), limited liability companies, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, trade names and trademarks. The division records Uniform Commercial Code and other security interest records. This involves business and agricultural lending, statutory liens, state and federal tax liens, and liens on transmitting utilities. The division regulates notary public commissions and handles apostilles and authentications (documents going to other countries).

Licensing

The Licensing Division protects the public interest by licensing several occupations. The division licenses collection agencies, debt management agencies, private detectives, and polygraph and voice stress examiners.

Rules and Regulations

The Secretary of State's Office maintains the Nebraska Administrative Code. The office is responsible for the filing, certification and distribution of state agency rules and regulations.

International Relations

The secretary of state serves as Nebraska's chief protocol officer for international relations. In that role, the secretary serves as a goodwill ambassador and promotes commerce, educational studies and cultural exchanges between Nebraska and foreign nations. The office's goal is to develop contacts, expertise and programs to connect Nebraska with the international community.

Records Management 

The secretary of state serves as the state records administrator. The Records Management Division assists state and local government agencies in managing the creation, use, storage and disposal of records in an efficient and economical manner. The division provides services and does consulting for government agencies. Services include the storage of state records and the conversion of records into different formats for storage.

Youth Services

The Secretary of State's Office sponsors programs to enhance civics education for Nebraska's youth. Its programs include Statehood Day birthday parties, Nebraska Student Vote, Honor a Veteran, Vote in Honor of a Veteran, Youth Election Service, Nebraska Capitol Forum on America's Future and Nebraska Spirit Art Contest.

Keeper of the Great Seal

The Great Seal of the State of Nebraska is used to authenticate official documents. The Nebraska Constitution provides that the seal is to be kept by the secretary of state and used by him or her as directed by law.

Other Duties

As provided by law, the secretary of state serves on the following state boards:

Chairperson, Records Board . The board oversees electronic access to state government information and advises on the implementation of the Records Management Act.

Chairperson, Real Estate Commission . The commission licenses real estate brokers and agents and investigates complaints against licensees.

Chairperson, Collection Agency Licensing Board . The board is responsible for licensing collection agencies.

Secretary, Pardons Board . The board considers applications for pardons of criminal convictions and commutations of sentences.

Secretary, Board of State Canvassers . The board certifies results following each statewide election.

Member, Accountability and Disclosure Commission . The commission administers and enforces state laws regarding ethics, campaign finance and lobbying.