HELENA — There are two candidates competing to become Montana's next Secretary of State: Bryce Bennett (D) and Christi Jacobsen (R).
MTN News Chief Political Reporter Mike Dennison hosted a discussion featuring the two candidates, which you can watch below.
The Secretary of State is one of six executive-branch officers originally designated by the Montana Constitution of 1889. In 1992, the Constitution was amended to limit the Secretary of State and other top officials to two 4-year terms in a 16-year period. The duties and functions of the Secretary of State are diverse. They 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.
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