The secretary of state of Wyoming is the state secretary of state of the U.S. state of Wyoming. It is a constitutional office, established under the state constitution. Wyoming has no lieutenant governor, so the Secretary of State stands first in the line of succession to the governorship in case of a vacancy. The secretary of state is the keeper of the Great Seal of Wyoming and the state's official record-keeper. When the governor is traveling out-of-state, the secretary of state serves as acting governor. Karen Wheeler served as acting secretary of state following the vacancy of Ed Murray, until the appointment of Edward Buchanan in March, 2018, who himself resigned September 17, 2022.
The secretary of state's office is divided into five divisions:Duties of Wyoming Officials
The Administrative Services Division keeps track of the money for the other parts of the office. This division is also responsible for the registration of notaries public, apostilles and document authentication, and is the official registrar for all state regulations. The Business Division files information about businesses, including charters of corporations and other business entities, and liens made pursuant to the Uniform Commercial Code. This division also registers trademarks and trade names, and is responsible for licensing Wyoming's official trademark, the Bucking Horse and Rider. The Compliance Division oversees the securities industry in the state, investigates violations of securities laws, and provides financial education to the public. The Elections Division administers elections. This task includes recording voting results for statewide elections and ensuring compliance with campaign finance laws and state and federal election laws. This division is also responsible for the registration of lobbyists. The Technology Division maintains the secretary of state's employees' computer equipment and programs, and maintains the secretary's website.
Officeholders Amos W. Barber became the first Wyoming secretary of state on November 8, 1890. Prior officeholders were known as Wyoming secretaries of the territory.
Wyoming secretaries of the territory # Image Name Term Party 1 1869–1870 Republican 2 1870–1873 Republican 3 1873–1875 Democratic 4 1875–1879 Republican 5 1879–1880 Republican 6 1880–1887 Republican 7 1887–1889 Democratic 8 1889–1890 Republican
Wyoming secretaries of state # Image Name Term Party 1 1890–1895 Republican 2 1895–1899 Republican 3 1899–1907 Republican 4 1907–1911 Republican 5 1911–1919 Democratic 6 1919–1923 Republican 7 1923–1927 Republican 8 1927–1935 Republican 9 1935–1943 Democratic 10 1943–1944 Republican 11 1944–1947 Democratic 12 1947–1951 Republican 13 1951–1955 Republican 14 1955–1959 Republican 15 1959–1963 Democratic 16 1963–1987 Republican 17 1987–1995 Democratic 18 1995–1999 Republican 19 1999–2007 Republican 20 2007–2015 Republican 21 2015–2018 Republican Acting 2018 Republican 22 2018–2022 Republican 23 2022–2023 Republican 24 2023–present Republican
See also List of company registers
References