Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth

The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth is the principal public information officer of the government of the U.S. state of Massachusetts. It is the equivalent of what most other states call the Secretary of State.

Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Seal of Masschusetts
Seal of Massachusetts
Portrait
Incumbent
William F. Galvin
since January 1, 1995
Government of Massachusetts
StyleHis Honor/Her honor
StatusChief administrator
Registrar of deeds
Records officer
Constitutional officer
ResidenceNone official
SeatState House, Boston, Massachusetts
NominatorNominating petition,
Political parties
AppointerPopular vote
Term lengthFour years, no limit
Constituting instrumentConstitution of Massachusetts
FormationOriginal post:
August 23, 1629[1]
Current form:
October 25, 1780
Unofficial namesSecretary of State
Websitewww.sec.state.ma.us

The Secretary of the Commonwealth oversees the Corporations Division, the Elections Division, the Massachusetts Archives, the Massachusetts Historical Commission, the Public Records Division, the Securities Division, as well as the State Records Center.

William F. Galvin has held the office since 1995.

Qualifications

Any person seeking to become Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts must meet the following requirements:[2]

  • Be at least eighteen years of age
  • Be a registered voter in Massachusetts
  • Be a Massachusetts resident for at least five years when elected
  • Receive 5,000 signatures from registered voters on nomination papers

List of secretaries of the Commonwealth (1780 to present)
No. Secretary of the Commonwealth Party Years Electoral/appointed history
1
John Avery, Jr. Pro-Administration/Federalist January 1, 1780 –
June 7, 1806[3]		 Succeeded Samuel Adams, who had been Secretary of the Province of Massachusetts Bay from August 15, 1776, until January 1, 1780. Avery died in office, June 7, 1806.[3]
2 Jonathan L. Austin Democratic-Republican 1806 –
1808		 [data missing]
3
William Tudor Federalist 1808 –
1810		 [data missing]
4 Benjamin Homans Democratic-Republican 1810 –
1812		 [data missing]
5 Alden Bradford Federalist/National Republican 1812 –
1824		 [data missing]
6
Edward D. Bangs National Republican/Whig 1824 –
1836		 [data missing]
7
John P. Bigelow Whig 1836 –
1843		 [data missing]
8 John A. Bolles Whig 1843 –
1844		 [data missing]
9
John G. Palfrey Whig 1844 –
1848		 [data missing]
10
William B. Calhoun Whig[4] January 1848[5] –
1851		 [data missing]
11
Amasa Walker Whig 1851 –
1853		 [data missing]
12 Ephraim M. Wright Whig 1853 –
1856		 [data missing]
13 Francis De Witt Know Nothing 1856 –
1858		 [data missing]
14 Oliver Warner Republican 1858 –
1876		 [data missing]
15
Henry B. Pierce Republican 1876 –
1891		 [data missing]
16
William M. Olin Republican 1891 –
April 15, 1911		 Died in office April 15, 1911.
Acting Isaac H. Edgett Republican April 15, 1911 –
April 28, 1911.[6]		 Edgett, was the First Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth under William M. Olin.

As the First Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth Edgett became the acting Secretary of the Commonwealth upon Olin's death. Edgett served as the acting Secretary of the Commonwealth[7] until Albert P. Langtry was elected by the Massachusetts legislature to serve out the remainder of Olin's term.

17
Albert P. Langtry Republican[8] April 28, 1911[6] Elected by the Legislature, on April 26, 1911, to fill the vacancy caused by
the death of William M. Olin. Langtry assumed the office of Secretary of the Commonwealth on April 28, 1911.[6]
18
Frank J. Donahue Democratic[8] January 15, 1913 –
1915		 [data missing]
19
Albert P. Langtry Republican 1915 –
1921		 [data missing]
20
Frederic W. Cook Republican[9] 1921 –
1949		 [data missing]
21
Edward J. Cronin Democratic 1949 –
November 24, 1958		 Died in office on November 24, 1958.
Acting
J. Henry Goguen Democratic December 1, 1958 –
January 20, 1959		 [data missing]
22
Joseph D. Ward		 Democratic[10] January 20, 1959 –
1961		 [data missing]
23
Kevin H. White Democratic 1961 –
December 20, 1967		 First elected in 1960.
Re-elected in 1962.
Re-elected in 1964 to a four-year term after the length of terms was extended.
Resigned to become Mayor of Boston.
24
Jack Davoren Democratic 1967 –
1974		 [data missing]
25
Paul H. Guzzi Democratic 1975 –
1978		 [data missing]
26
Michael J. Connolly Democratic 1979 –
1994		 [data missing]
27
William F. Galvin Democratic January 1, 1995 –
present		 [data missing]

See also

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Secretaries of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
  1. "Records of the governor and company of the Massachusetts bay in New England. Printed by order of the legislature". Boston, W. White, printer to the commonwealth. 1853.
  2. "How to Run for Office in Massachusetts" (PDF). Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. March 2017. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
  3. Roberts, Oliver Ayer (1901), History of the Military company of the Massachusetts, now called the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts 1637-1888. Vol. II - 1738-1821, Boston, MA: Alfred Mudge & Son, Printers, p. 196
  4. William B. Calhoun at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on October 6, 2007.
  5. Dexter, Franklin Bowditch (1912), Biographical Sketches of the Graduates of Yale College With Annals of the College History, Vol. VI September; 1805 - September; 1815, New Haven, Ct: Yale University Press, p. 629
  6. Boston Daily Globe (April 29, 1911), LANGTRY IN NEW OFFICE. The Netherlands Club Pays Him a Visit and Presents Him a Bunch of Roses., Boston, Mass: Boston Daily Globe, p. 9
  7. Boston Daily Globe (April 18, 1911), HOUSE RECORDED FOR INCOME TAX Walker Asks Reconsideration--- Senate Adopts 54-Hour Bill. Insane Hospital Inquiry Killed--- Anti-Lorimer Resolution. IMPORTANT EVENTS AT STATE HOUSE YESTERDAY., Boston, MA: The Boston Daily Globe, p. 1
  8. "FOSS AND FROTHINGHAM WIN" (PDF). The New York Times. September 27, 1911. p. 2. Retrieved October 6, 2007.
  9. "MANY SEEK OFFICE IN MASSACHUSETTS". The New York Times. August 9, 1922. p. 6. Retrieved October 6, 2007.
  10. "In Memoriam". Holy Cross Magazine. Archived from the original on September 5, 2004. Summer 2003. Retrieved on October 6, 2007.
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