New York Secretary of State

From Ballotpedia
New York Secretary of State

Seal of New York.png

General information
Office Type:  Partisan
Office website:  Official Link
Compensation:  $194,182
2025 FY Budget:  $384,090,000
Term limits:  None
Structure
Length of term:   Until the end of the term of the governor by whom he or she was appointed and until his or her successor is appointed and has qualified
Authority:  NY Laws - Article 6 (EXC)
Selection Method:  Appointed by governor
Current Officeholder(s)

New York Secretary of State Walter Mosley
Democratic Party
Assumed office: May 22, 2024

Other New York Executive Offices
GovernorLieutenant GovernorSecretary of StateAttorney GeneralComptrollerCommissioner of EducationAgriculture CommissionerFinancial Services SuperintendentEnvironmental Conservation CommissionerLabor CommissionerPublic Service CommissionInsurance

TheSecretary of State for New York is an appointed state executive position in the New York state government. Thesecretary of state serves as the head of the Department of State, which acts as the state's planning agency and keeper of records, including the Great Seal of New York.[1] The secretary is responsible for the regulation of certain businesses and professions. The secretary also regulates cemeteries, registers corporations, and business organizations, and maintains business and governmental records under the Uniform Commercial Code and other laws, among other duties.[2]

New York has a Democratictriplex. The Democratic Party controls the offices of governor, secretary of state, and attorney general.

Current officeholder

The current New York Secretary of State isWalter Mosley (D). Mosley assumed office in 2024.

Authority

The secretary of state's establishment and authority is derived from Article 6 of the Executive chapter of the New York Laws.

EXC Article 6, Section 90:

There shall be in the state government a department of state. The head of the department shall be the secretary of state ...[3]

Qualifications

Note:Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches the constitutional or statutory text that establishes the requirements necessary to qualify for a state executive office. That information for the New York Secretary of State has not yet been added. After extensive research, we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, pleaseemail us.

Appointments

The secretary is appointed by, and serves at the pleasure of, thegovernor and is confirmed by thestate senate.[3]

Vacancies

Note:Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches the constitutional or statutory text that details the process of filling vacancies for a state executive office. That information for the New York Secretary of State has not yet been added. After extensive research, we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, pleaseemail us.

Duties

The secretary of state serves as the head of the Department of State, which acts as the state's planning agency and the keeper of records, including the Great Seal of New York.[1] Duties of the office include, but are not limited to:[2]

  • Arranging and preserving all laws, gubernatorial documents, and other documents kept or deposited with the office;
  • Supervising the division of consumer protection and establishing public education programs to maximize awareness;
  • Biannually publishing the legislative manual;
  • Administering the address confidentiality program for victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual offense, and stalking;
  • Promulgating rules establishing the procedure, forms, style, and font for every state code, rule, and regulation; and,
  • Collecting fees for corporate filings, papers not required to be certified, and other requests made of the department.

Divisions

The Department of State consists of the following divisions:[4]

  • Administrative Hearings
  • Administrative Rules
  • Building Standards & Codes
  • Cemeteries
  • Community Services
  • Consumer Protection
  • Corporations, State Records & UCC
  • General Counsel
  • Licensing Services
  • Local Government Services
  • Office for New Americans
  • Office of Planning & Development

State budget

See also:New York state budget and finances

The budget for the Department of State in Fiscal Year 2025 was $384,090,000.[5]

Compensation

See also:Compensation of state executive officers

The salary of the secretary of state is determined by theNew York State Legislature as mandated by Article 6, Section 90 of the Executive chapter of the New York Laws:[3]

2023

In 2023, the officer's salary was $194,182, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[6]

2022

In 2022, the officer's salary was $200,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[7]

2021

In 2021, the secretary received a salary of $160,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[8]

2020

In 2020, the secretary received a salary of $160,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[9]

2019

In 2019, the secretary received a salary of $120,800, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[10]

2018

In 2018, the secretary received a salary of $120,800, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[11]

2017

In 2017, the secretary received a salary of $120,800, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[12]

2016

In 2016, the secretary received a salary of $120,800, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[13]

2015

In 2015, the secretary received a salary of $120,800, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[14]

2014

In 2014, the secretary received a salary of $120,800 according to theCouncil of State Governments.[15]

2013

In 2013, the secretary received a salary of $120,800 according to theCouncil of State Governments.[16]

Historical officeholders

Note:Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the New York Secretary of State has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, pleaseemail us.

Recent news

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the termsNew York Secretary of State. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

Contact information

New York

Physical address:
Department of State
One Commerce Plaza
99 Washington Ave,
Albany, NY 12231-0001

Phone:Contact list

See also

New YorkState Executive ElectionsNews and Analysis
Seal of New York.png
StateExecLogo.png
Ballotpedia RSS.jpg
New York State Executive Offices
New York State Legislature
New York Courts
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016
New York elections:20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016
Party control of state government
State government trifectas
State of the state addresses
Partisan composition of governors

External links

Footnotes

  1. 1.01.1Department of State, "About the Department," accessed Feb. 1, 2021
  2. 2.02.1Justia, "NY Exec L § 90-144 (2019," accessed Feb. 1, 2021
  3. 3.03.13.2Justia, "NY Exec L § 90 (2019)," accessed Feb. 1, 2021
  4. Department of State, "Home," accessed Feb. 1, 2021
  5. New York State Division of the Budget, "Fiscal Year 2025 Enacted Budget Financial Plan," accessed January 22, 2025
  6. Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 21, 2025
  7. Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
  8. Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 28, 2022
  9. Issuu, "The Book of the States," Sept. 30, 2020
  10. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed Jan. 27, 2021
  11. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed Jan. 27, 2021
  12. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed Jan. 27, 2021
  13. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
  14. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
  15. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed December 3, 2014
  16. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," January 27, 2014
Elections
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010
Elections
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010
Ballotpedia
Editorial Content
Josh Altic, Director of ContentDaniel Anderson, Associate Director of Elections & DataCory Eucalitto, Associate Director of FeaturesRyan Byrne, Managing Editor of Ballot MeasuresMandy McConnell, Managing Editor of NewsDoug Kronaizl, Managing Editor of Local ExpansionAbbey Smith, Managing Editor of ElectionsJanie Valentine, Managing Editor of LawJoel Williams, Managing Editor of EventsJoseph Greaney, Managing Editor of PolicyAndrew BahlJaclyn BeranMarielle BrickerJoseph BrusgardEmma BurlingameKelly CoyleJon DunnVictoria EdwardsThomas EllisNicole FisherThomas GrobbenBrianna HoseaMolly KehoeTyler KingGlorie MartinezNorm Leahy, Senior EditorNathan MaxwellJimmy McAllisterBrandon McCauleyAndrew McNairEllie MikusMackenzie MurphyKaley PlatekSamantha PostAdam PowellAnnelise ReinwaldSpencer RichardsonVictoria RoseBriana RyanMyj SaintylMaddy SaluckaEmma SoukupAlexis ThackerMina VogelSamuel WonacottTrenton Woodcox


Flag of New York
v  e
State ofNew York
Albany (capital)
Elections

What's on my ballot? |Elections in 2026 |How to vote |How to run for office |Ballot measures

Government

Who represents me? |U.S. President |U.S. Congress |Federal courts |State executives |State legislature |State and local courts |Counties |Cities |School districts |Public policy