Overview

The Secretary of the Commonwealth is the state's chief election official and has a number of duties related to vote counting and certification. 25 P.S. § 2621.

Duties

The key duties of the Secretary of the Commonwealth are:

1. Issuing guidance and directives to County Boards of Elections. DOS Policy, Statistics, & Services.
2. Receiving election returns from County Boards of Elections. 25 P.S. § 3154(f).
3. Tabulating and canvassing the vote. 25 P.S. § 2621(f).
4. Certifying election results. 25 P.S. § 2621(f).
5. Ordering recounts and/or recanvasses. 25 P.S. § 2621(f.2).
6. Examining and re-examining voting machines. 25 P.S. § 2621(b).
7. Delivering returns to the Governor and General Assembly. 25 P.S. § 3165.
8. Issuing certificates of election to State House and Senate members. 25 P.S. § 3164.

Appointment and Vacancy Information

• Appointed: The Secretary of the Commonwealth is appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the State Senate. Pa. Const. Art. IV, § 8(b); 71 P.S. § 67.1(d)(1). However, they can carry out their official duties prior to or without the vote as the “Acting Secretary.” Pa. Const. Art. IV, § 8(b). The current Secretary of the Commonwealth is Al Schmidt, appointed in January 2023.
• Term of Office: The Secretary of the Commonwealth serves at the pleasure of the Governor*. 71 P.S. § 68(a).*
• Next Appointment: Absent a vacancy, the next appointment of the Secretary of the Commonwealth will be after the start of the term of a new Governor, either in 2027 or 2031*. Pa. Const. Art. IV, § 8(b).*
• Qualifications: There are no specific qualifications for the position of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. 71 P.S. § 67.1(d)(1).
• Vacancy: **The vacancy rules are the same as the appointment rules. Pa. Const. Art. IV, § 8(b).