Maryland Secretary of State Elections

Fred L. Wineland Building, 16 Francis St., Annapolis, MD 21401 The office of Secretary of State was created by constitutional amendment in 1838 to replace the Governor's Council (Chapter 197, Acts of 1836; Chapter 84, Acts of 1837).

Appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate, the Secretary of State attests to the Governor's signature on public papers and documents (Const., Art. II, secs. 22-23). The office is the repository for all executive orders and proclamations and is responsible for their distribution (Code State Government Article, secs. 3-404, 3-405). The Secretary of State also maintains records of all commissions issued and appointments made by the Governor (Code State Government Article, secs. 7-101 through 7-222).

Wineland Building (State House in background), 16 Francis St., Annapolis, Maryland, March 2014. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

With regard to elections, the Secretary of State receives petitions to bring Acts of the General Assembly to referendum, and publishes them together with constitutional amendments to be voted upon in the general elections (Const., Art. XVI; Code Election Law Article, sec. 6-205). Upon the presidential primary ballot, the Secretary may place the names of those candidates determined to be advocated generally or recognized in the media (Code Election Law Article, sec. 8-502).

Bills adopted by the General Assembly and approved by the Governor are received and assigned chapter numbers by the Secretary of State (Code State Government Article, sec. 2-1511). The Secretary also advertises and records all the Governor's pardons and commutations.

The Secretary of State chairs the Governor's Subcabinet for International Affairs, and serves on the Governor's Executive Council, and the Board of State Canvassers.