In most states, the chief election officer is the Secretary of State, known in Massachusetts at the State Secretary. There are exceptions, however. In Alaska and Utah it is the Lieutenant Governor. See, e.g., Utah Code Ann. §20A-5-402.5(c)(3). In Delaware, it is the State Election Commissioner. Hawaii: Chief Election Officer. In Illinois, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia, the State Board of Elections. In Indiana, Indiana Election Division. In Tennessee, Coordinator of Elections. In Wisconsin, Chairperson of the State Elections Board.
What does a chief election officer do?
The term Chief Election Officer refers to the senior official with primary responsibility for administering or overseeing elections within a jurisdiction or election-management body. It gives election, security, legal, or technical readers a specific label for the concept rather than a broader everyday meaning.
Who appoints or selects a chief election officer?
The appointing method depends on the jurisdiction. A chief election officer may be appointed by a legislature, governor, electoral commission, municipal body, or another authority, and in some systems the comparable chief election official may be elected. The controlling constitution, statute, charter, or election law determines the selection process and term.
Is chief election officer the same role in every jurisdiction?
No. The title, powers, independence, selection method, and scope of a chief election officer vary across jurisdictions. One official may manage a national or statewide election agency, while another has narrower local responsibilities. Comparable roles can also use titles such as chief electoral officer, elections director, secretary of state, or returning officer.
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In most states, the chief election officer is the Secretary of State, known in Massachusetts at the State Secretary. There are exceptions, however. In Alaska and Utah it is the Lieutenant Governor. See, e.g., Utah Code Ann. §20A-5-402.5(c)(3). In Delaware, it is the State Election Commissioner. Hawaii: Chief Election Officer. In Illinois, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia, the State Board of Elections. In Indiana, Indiana Election Division. In Tennessee, Coordinator of Elections. In Wisconsin, Chairperson of the State Elections Board.
Cite this term
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Chief Election Officer. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 20, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/chief-election-officer
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