Minnesota Secretary of State


The Minnesota Secretary of State is the state secretary of state of the state of Minnesota.
The Secretary of State 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. The Secretary of State registers a variety of business associations, including corporations, assumed business names, banks, insurance companies, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, and limited partnerships. 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.
The Secretary of State is also the chief election official in Minnesota and is responsible for administration of the Minnesota election law. The secretary of state administers the open appointments process and publishes the Minnesota Legislative Manual, a compendium of federal, state and county government information.
The Secretary of State serves as a member on the Minnesota Executive Council, Minnesota Board of Investment, and the Minnesota Historical Society executive board.

Territory

State

In 1886, elections were moved from odd years to even years. Beginning with the 1962 election, the term of the office increased from two to four years.

No.NameTook OfficeLeft OfficeParty
1Francis Baasen18581860Democrat
2James H. Baker18601862Republican
3David Blakeley18621868Republican
4Henry C. Rogers18681870Republican
5Hans Mattson18701872Republican
6Samuel P. Jennison18721876Republican
7John S. Irgens18761880Republican
8Frederick Von Baumbach18801887Republican
9Hans Mattson18871891Republican
10Frederick P. Brown18911895Republican
11Albert Berg18951901Republican
12Peter E. Hanson19011907Republican
13Julius A. Schmahl19071921Republican
14Mike Holm19211952Republican
15H. H. Chesterman19521952
16Virginia Paul Holm19521955Republican
17Joseph L. Donovan19551971DFL
18Arlen Erdahl19711975Republican
19Joan Growe19751999DFL
20Mary Kiffmeyer19992007Republican
21Mark Ritchie20072015DFL
22Steve Simon2015DFL