By Howard Fischer Capitol Media Services via Arizona Daily Star
On paper, the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office, just won by a Democrat for the first time since 1991, is largely administrative. But it’s a heartbeat away from the governor’s seat.
The most visible duty awaiting Secretary of State-elect Katie Hobbs, a state senator who defeated Republican businessman Steve Gaynor for the post, is oversight of state elections.
Related: Incoming SOS Katie Hobbs to ‘take the politics out of the office’
But the actual conduct of the vote and the tallying is done at the county level, albeit under rules that the secretary of state adopts with the approval of the attorney general.
The office has other responsibilities, including regulating notaries, keeping track of telephone solicitors, registering trade names and being a central place for individuals to file “advanced directives.”
But what could be the most significant part of the job involves being available should the governor die, quit or otherwise be removed from office.
