Overview

The Secretary of State is Ohio’s chief election officer and oversees election administration in the state. Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3501.04. As part of the office, the Secretary of State is responsible for issuing directives and advisories, preparing rules and instructions, and adopting rules relating to the conduct of elections. Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. §§ 3501.05(B), (C), (Q), (U). The Secretary of State also appoints all members of Boards of Elections. Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3501.05(A).

In addition, the Secretary of State is involved in compliance with state election law. The Secretary of State must investigate election irregularities and violations of election law and report findings to the Ohio Attorney General or other prosecuting attorney. Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3501.05(N). The Secretary of State is also required to compel election officers in the state’s counties to comply with state election law. Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3501.05(M).

The Secretary of State is also responsible for resolving any tie votes or disagreements that cannot be resolved among the members of a county’s Board of Elections. Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3501.11(X). In such a case, the Board of Elections must submit the controversy to the Secretary of State no later than 14 days after the controversy arises. Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3501.11(X). The Secretary of State summarily decides the matter, and the Secretary of State’s decision is final. Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3501.11(X).

The Secretary of State is elected to a four-year term and is limited to two successive terms. Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 111.01; Oh. Const. art. III, §§ 1, 2. The current Secretary of State is Frank LaRose, a Republican, who took office on January 14, 2019. The next election for Secretary of State in Ohio will be held in 2026.

Election-Related Duties

The key duties of the Secretary of State are:

1. Serving as the state’s chief election officer. Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3501.04.
2. Issuing directives and advisories, preparing rules and instructions, and adopting rules relating to the conduct of elections. Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. §§ 3501.05(B), (C), (Q), (U).
3. Appointing all members of Boards of Elections. Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3501.05(A).
4. Investigating election irregularities and violations of election law and reporting to the prosecuting attorney. Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3501.05(N).
5. Compelling county election officers to comply with election law. Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3501.05(M).
6. Resolving any tie votes or disagreements that cannot be resolved among the members of a county’s Board of Elections. Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3501.11(X).

Selection and Vacancy Information

• **Elected: ****The Secretary of State is elected every four years. Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 111.01; Oh. Const. art. III, §§ 1, 2.
• Tiebreaking: **In the case of a tie, a majority of the votes of all members of the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives determines who is elected. Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3505.34.
• Term of Office: The Secretary of State’s term of office is four years. Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 111.01; Oh. Const. art. III, § 2. The Secretary of State is limited to two successive terms of four years. Oh. Const. art. III, § 2. Terms are considered successive unless separated by more than four years. Oh. Const. art. III, § 2.
• Next Election: The next general election for Secretary of State in Ohio will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
• Qualifications: To be eligible for the office of Secretary of State, a person must possess the “qualifications of an elector.” Oh. Const. art. XV, § 4. In Ohio, to be a qualified elector a person must be a citizen of the U.S., at least 18 years of age, and a resident of the state (and relevant locality within the state). Oh. Const. art. V, § 1. The person must also have been registered to vote for 30 days. Oh. Const. art. V, § 1.