Washington Secretary Of State - Your Guide To State Services
When you think about the things that keep our state running smoothly, the Washington Secretary of State's office is, in a way, at the very heart of it all. This important state position touches so many parts of daily life for people and organizations across Washington, from making sure our votes count to helping new businesses get off the ground. It's a role that really helps to hold things together for everyone who lives here, ensuring a sense of fairness and openness in how things are done.
This office, you see, handles a surprising number of public services that are, quite honestly, pretty essential. They look after our elections, which is, of course, a big deal for our democracy. But then, too, they also manage records for businesses and charities, keep our state's historical documents safe, and even oversee the state library system. It's a pretty wide range of duties, all working to support the people of Washington in different ways.
So, whether you're curious about how state government works, need to find some information about a company, or just want to know a bit more about the people who serve in these roles, this look at the Washington Secretary of State's office might be just what you're after. We'll talk about who's in charge right now, what they do each day, and some of the interesting history that connects to this important public position, as a matter of fact.
Table of Contents
- Who is the Washington Secretary of State?
- Getting to Know Steve Hobbs - Washington Secretary of State
- What Important Jobs Does the Washington Secretary of State Handle?
- Daily Work at the Washington Secretary of State's Office
- How Can the Washington Secretary of State Help You Directly?
- Finding Business Information with the Washington Secretary of State
- What Big Stories Connect to the Washington Secretary of State?
- Remembering Significant Moments - Washington Secretary of State and Community
Who is the Washington Secretary of State?
The person holding the title of Washington Secretary of State is, in fact, a public official chosen by the people of Washington to serve in an executive role for the state government. This individual has some pretty big responsibilities, overseeing elections, making sure businesses are properly registered, and looking after the state's historical records and library system. It's a position that, you know, carries a lot of weight and helps to keep our state organized and fair for everyone.
Getting to Know Steve Hobbs - Washington Secretary of State
Right now, the person serving as the Washington Secretary of State is Steve Hobbs. He's the sixteenth person to hold this job, and he started his time in the role in 2021, later being chosen by the voters of Washington in 2022. It's pretty interesting to note that he's the first person of color to be the Secretary of State here, and only the second person in the state's entire history who was actually born in Washington to take on this particular public service position. So, that's a bit about him, as a matter of fact.
Before taking on this statewide role, Steve Hobbs spent time working as a state senator for Washington's 44th legislative district. He was first chosen for that job back in 2006, which, you know, shows he's been involved in public service for quite a while. During his time as a senator, he had some important duties, including leading the transportation committee, and he was also a member of committees that looked at business, financial services, trade, and even things like the environment, energy, and technology. So, he has, in some respects, a pretty good background in how the state operates.
Here's a quick look at some details about Steve Hobbs, the current Washington Secretary of State:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Current Role | Washington Secretary of State |
| Tenure Began | 2021 (appointed), 2022 (elected) |
| Number in Role | 16th Secretary of State |
| Notable Firsts | First person of color to serve as Secretary of State; Second native Washingtonian to serve |
| Prior Public Service | State Senator for Washington's 44th legislative district (elected 2006) |
| Previous Committee Roles | Chair of Transportation Committee; Member of Business, Financial Services & Trade; Environment, Energy & Technology committees |
What Important Jobs Does the Washington Secretary of State Handle?
The office of the Washington Secretary of State has a number of really important jobs that help keep our constitutional democracy working well within Washington. They, for instance, lay down the groundwork for security, trust, and a sense of fairness in how things are done. This means they make it easier for people to get involved in elections, help with business services, support libraries, and work to keep the state's really important records safe for the future. It's a broad set of duties, honestly, all designed to serve the public.
Daily Work at the Washington Secretary of State's Office
So, what does this office actually do day-to-day? Well, it's pretty varied, as a matter of fact. The Washington Secretary of State is considered the state's main officer for elections, meaning they have a big hand in making sure voting happens properly and fairly. They are also the chief officer for corporations, which means they deal with all the official paperwork and details for businesses that operate in the state. And, too, they look after the state archives, which are like the state's memory bank, holding historical documents, and they supervise the state library, which is a key resource for information. It's a lot, honestly, that they oversee.
The office of the Washington Secretary of State, you know, provides a whole range of services and information. You can find out about elections, which is, of course, a big part of what they do. They also have information and services related to corporations and charities, helping these groups get registered and stay on the right track. Then there are the archives, where historical records are kept, and the library, which serves the community. You can also learn about events, news, and projects that Steve Hobbs, the current Secretary of State, is involved in. It's quite a comprehensive set of things they handle.
How Can the Washington Secretary of State Help You Directly?
If you're thinking about starting a business, or if you just need to find some information about a company that's already operating, the Washington Secretary of State's office is, frankly, the place to go. They have tools and systems set up specifically for these kinds of needs, making it easier for people to get the details they require. It's all about making public information accessible, which is, you know, a pretty helpful thing for everyone.
Finding Business Information with the Washington Secretary of State
One of the ways the Washington Secretary of State's office helps people is through their Corporations and Charities System tool. This system, you see, lets you look through a large collection of registered business entities. You could use this search tool to find the official name of a business, along with its public records, its current standing, and other important bits of information. So, if you're trying to verify a company or just learn more about one, this is, basically, where you'd start your search.
For those who are managing their own business, charity, or trademark filings, the Washington Secretary of State has an online system that helps with all of that. You can, for instance, log in to an existing account, set up a new one if you don't have one yet, or simply search for a business using its name, a special UBI number, or another identification number. It's designed to make handling these official details a bit simpler for people who need to keep their filings up to date, which is, honestly, a good thing.
If you're planning to create a corporation, you'll need to work with the Washington Secretary of State's office. This is the first step in getting your new company officially recognized. As part of this process, you'll also need to put together a governance document, which is often called "bylaws." This internal paper, you know, lays out how important business decisions will be made and what the duties, powers, and responsibilities are for the officers and the people who own the company, also known as shareholders or stockholders. It's a pretty important step for setting up how your business will run.
What Big Stories Connect to the Washington Secretary of State?
Beyond the day-to-day operations, the Washington Secretary of State's office also plays a part in remembering and sharing important moments in the state's history. They help to tell the stories of significant events and the people who made them happen, which is, honestly, a pretty meaningful thing. It's about keeping our collective memory alive and recognizing the efforts that shaped Washington into what it is today.
Remembering Significant Moments - Washington Secretary of State and Community
One example of this is a project called "The Journey to Marriage Equality." This effort was put together in 2023 by Legacy Washington, which is a special program that works within the Washington State Archives and, of course, the Office of the Washington Secretary of State. The whole idea behind it was to make sure we remember the people, the history, and the personal stories of those who really stood up for LGBTQ civil rights here in Washington state. It's a way to honor those contributions and ensure they are not forgotten, you know, for future generations.
It's also worth noting that sometimes, things happen that can affect the operations of the Washington Secretary of State's office, just like any other public body. For instance, there have been times when changes in funding from the state and federal levels have led to anticipated layoffs in Washington state's processes. This is, basically, a direct outcome of having less money available to support the various programs and services that the office provides. It's a reality that, you know, public offices sometimes face when budgets shift.
The Washington Secretary of State's office is, in fact, located in the Legislative Building. If you ever need to send something by mail, their official mailing address is PO Box 40220. This is where, basically, all the important paperwork and communications go for the office that handles elections, corporations, charities, archives, and the state library. It's the central hub for a lot of what keeps Washington organized and its history preserved.
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