Montana State Legislature

Office of the Secretary of State

Agency Leadership

Christi Jacobsen (R), Secretary of State

Elected November 2020 for 4-Year Term

Agency Website

Agency Overview

The Secretary of State is one of six executive-branch officers originally designated by the Montana Constitution of 1889. The duties and functions of the Secretary of State include:

Interpreting state election laws and overseeing elections.
Maintaining the official records of the executive branch and the acts of the legislature.
Reviewing, maintaining, and distributing public-interest records of businesses and nonprofit organizations.
Filing administrative rules adopted by state departments, boards, and agencies.
Attesting to the governor’s signature on executive orders, proclamations, resolutions, extradition papers, and appointments.
Preserving the state seal.
Filing and maintaining records of secured financial transactions, such as liens.
Serving on the state Board of Land Commissioners and the Board of Examiners.
Commissioning notaries public.

A complete list of the duties and functions of the Secretary of State is outlined in Title 2, Chapter 15, Part 4, MCA.

Agency Divisions

Required Reports to SAVA

Statewide Election Security Report- 2023- (annual report) – 13-1-205(2), MCA
Use of Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Funds-2023 (annual report) – SB 432 (2023) (NEW)
Changes Affecting Filing-Office Rules under the Uniform Commercial Code (as needed) – 5-11-222(3)(b)(xiii), MCA
Youth Voting Program (if requested) - 13-22-108, MCA

Most Recent Legislative Audit Report

Financial-Compliance Audit: Office of the Secretary of State for the Two Fiscal Years Ended June 30, 2022 (November 2023) - Full Report
Financial-Compliance Audit: Office of the Secretary of State for the Two Fiscal Years Ended June 30, 2020 (June 2021) - Full Report