Secretary of State of Wyoming explained

Post:	Secretary of State
Body:	Wyoming
Incumbent:	Chuck Gray
Incumbentsince:	January 2, 2023
Type:	Secretary of State
Constituting Instrument:	Constitution of Wyoming
Formation:	1890
First:	Amos W. Barber
Website:	Official website

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 Constitution of Wyoming and the secretary of state accedes to the governorship in case of a vacancy.^[1] 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 (Wyoming has no lieutenant governor). Karen Wheeler served as acting secretary of state following the vacancy of Ed Murray,^[2] 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:^[3]

• 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.^[4]

Wyoming secretaries of the territory

	Image	Name	Term	Party
align=right	1			1869–1870		Republican
align=right	2			1870–1873		Republican
align=right	3			1873–1875		Democratic
align=right	4			1875–1879		Republican
align=right	5			1879–1880		Republican
align=right	6			1880–1887		Republican
align=right	7			1887–1889		Democratic
align=right	8			1889–1890		Republican

Wyoming secretaries of state

	Image	Name	Term	Party
align=right	1			1890–1895		Republican
align=right	2			1895–1899		Republican
align=right	3			1899–1907		Republican
align=right	4			1907–1911		Republican
align=right	5			1911–1919		Democratic
align=right	6			1919–1923		Republican
align=right	7			1923–1927		Republican
align=right	8			1927–1935		Republican
align=right	9			1935–1943		Democratic
align=right	10			1943–1944		Republican
align=right	11			1944–1947		Democratic
align=right	12			1947–1951		Republican
align=right	13			1951–1955		Republican
align=right	14			1955–1959		Republican
align=right	15			1959–1963		Democratic
align=right	16			1963–1987		Republican
align=right	17			1987–1995		Democratic
align=right	18			1995–1999		Republican
align=right	19			1999–2007		Republican
align=right	20			2007–2015		Republican
align=right	21			2015–2018		Republican
align=right	Acting			2018		Republican
align=right	22			2018–2022		Republican
align=right	23			2022–2023		Republican
align=right	24			2023–present		Republican

See also

• List of company registers

Notes and References

1. Web site: Constitution of the State of Wyoming. Secretary of State of Wyoming. August 23, 2019.
2. News: Funk. Joel. Wyoming Secretary of State Ed Murray resigns amid sexual misconduct allegations. 15 February 2018. Wyoming Tribune Eagle. en.
3. http://soswy.state.wy.us/SecretaryDesk/DutiesOfOfficials.aspx Duties of Wyoming Officials
4. Web site: Wyoming Secretaries of State roster . Wyoming Secretary of State . November 18, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110922201000/http://soswy.state.wy.us/SecretaryDesk/docs/SecretariesRoster.pdf . September 22, 2011.