The secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (or "secretary of state") administers the

Pennsylvania Department of State The Pennsylvania Department of State is a cabinet-level state agency in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The department is headed by the secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Responsibilities * Campaign finance reporting * Charities ...

of the

U.S. state In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its sove ...

(officially, " commonwealth") of

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...

. The secretary is appointed by the

governor A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...

subject to confirmation by the

state senate A state legislature in the United States is the legislative body of any of the 50 U.S. states. The formal name varies from state to state. In 27 states, the legislature is simply called the ''Legislature'' or the ''State Legislature'', whil ...

Background

The department protects the public's

health Health, according to the World Health Organization, is "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity".World Health Organization. (2006)''Constitution of the World Health Organiza ...

safety Safety is the state of being "safe", the condition of being protected from harm or other danger. Safety can also refer to the control of recognized hazards in order to achieve an acceptable level of risk. Meanings There are two slightly dif ...

, and

welfare Welfare, or commonly social welfare, is a type of government support intended to ensure that members of a society can meet basic human needs such as food and shelter. Social security may either be synonymous with welfare, or refer specifical ...

by licensing more than one million business, health and real estate professionals; maintaining registration and financial information for thousands of charities soliciting contributions from Pennsylvanians; overseeing Pennsylvania's electoral process; maintaining corporate filings; and sanctioning professional boxing, kick–boxing and

wrestling Wrestling is a series of combat sports involving grappling-type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. Wrestling techniques have been incorporated into martial arts, combat ...

in the commonwealth. Unlike many other states (where the office of secretary of state is an elected position), in Pennsylvania this position is appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the

Pennsylvania Senate The Pennsylvania State Senate is the upper house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania state legislature. The State Senate meets in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. Senators are elected for four year terms, staggered ...

. The secretary is the keeper of the Great Seal of the Commonwealth and has the duty of authenticating government documents through the seal's use. The secretary is also the commonwealth's chief election official.

Boards and commissions

* Chairman of the Pennsylvania Election Reform Task Force * Chairman of the Navigation Commission for the Delaware River and Its Navigable Tributaries * The Board of Finance and Revenue * The Board of Property * The Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement Board * The State Athletic Commission * The Interbranch Commission for Gender, Racial and Ethnic Fairness * The Lobbying Disclosure Regulations Committee

Secretaries of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Structure of the Department of State

The Pennsylvania Department of State consists of six bureaus: * Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations * Bureau of Finance and Operations * Bureau of Enforcement and Investigation * Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs * Bureau of Commissions, Elections, and Legislation * State Athletic Commission

References

External links