Duties of The Secretary of The Commonwealth
- Serving as the Keeper of the Seal of the Commonwealth
- Assisting the Governor in the appointment of thousands of individuals to serve on state boards and commissions
- Issuing the Commissions of Notaries Public
- Authenticating documents
- Registering lobbyists
- Issuing the "Bluebook", officially "The Report of the Secretary of the Commonwealth," an annual publication that identifies, "(a) the boards of visitors of all public institutions, and other boards appointed by the Governor; (b) all commissions issued under appointments made by the Governor, except commissions to notaries public; (c) all departments, boards, councils, commissions, and other collegial bodies created in the executive branch of state government; and (d) such other matters as the Governor requires. " - The Report as defined by the Code of Virginia
- Issuing a State Government Organization Chart
- Handling pardons and clemencies, restoration of civil rights of former felons, extradition, and service of process. Although the Secretary is involved, the Governor is responsible for granting pardons, clemency, and restorations of rights, as well as authorizing extradition. The Secretary of the Commonwealth's Office handles the paperwork on behalf of the Governor.
In a unique twist of Virginia law, unlike other members of the Governor's Cabinet, the Secretary of the Commonwealth does not resign imdiawitely upon the inauguration of a new Governor, but redains in office for an additional week, serving a fixed term of four years, in order to ensure a smooth transition and ensure continuity in government.
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“The duty of the State toward the citizen is the duty of the servant to its master.... One of the duties of the State is that of caring for those of its citizens who find themselves the victims of such adverse circumstances as makes them unable to obtain even the necessities for mere existence without the aid of others.... To these unfortunate citizens aid must be extended by government—not as a matter of charity but as a matter of social duty.”
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“While the Governor, and the Mayor, and countless officers of the Commonwealth are at large, the champions of liberty are imprisoned.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)