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Nebraska
Secretary of State
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A Day in the Life of Nebraska’s Secretary of State
Nebraska’s government has three branches, the executive branch (including the Governor, the Secretary of State, the State Auditor and others), the judicial branch (including our judges) and the Legislature, which in Nebraska is called the Unicameral. It is a one-house legislature and is the only one of its kind in the United States. It was started in the 1930s as a way for Nebraska to save money during the Great Depression, and we’ve never changed it. It meets for 90 days in odd-numbered years and 60 days in even-numbered years. It can be called into session at any time by the Governor if the Governor feels there is an issue that cannot wait until the next regularly scheduled session.
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As Nebraska’s Secretary of State, I have many interesting duties. I work and am elected independently of the Governor and, therefore, have many responsibilities that are mine alone. I was appointed as the Secretary of State in 2000 and won in a statewide election in 2002.
One of my favorite responsibilities is that I am the Chief Elections Officer for the state. That means I am the main source of elections materials for people in Nebraska. If someone wants to run for office, they have to fill out papers and file them with my office. I also keep all the old records of who has run for office and who won, so that if Nebraskans want to know, they can come and look it up. If a county clerk in one of Nebraska’s 93 counties has a problem with an election, they come to my office for advice and services.
I’m also the Chief Protocol Officer for Nebraska. If someone has a question about how to treat a foreign dignitary or another elected official, that person comes to my office or goes to my website to find the answer. When foreign visitors come to Nebraska, they are granted Honorary Citizenship through my office. I meet with them and answer their questions about their “new” home. I also make contacts with nations which want to trade with Nebraska, and ask their dignitaries to visit us and see our state.
I also promote the history and uniqueness of Nebraska. In my office, I keep the Great Seal of Nebraska and the original state flag. I travel to schools and communities throughout Nebraska to talk with citizens about Nebraska’s past as well as current important issues. For example, my office is hosting parties all over the state to celebrate Nebraska’s 136th birthday. I also talk about Nebraska’s symbols and special holidays, like Arbor Day.
A typical day in my office might go something like this: in the morning I would meet with the Governor and the Attorney General regarding parole board hearings. After that, I could go to a school here in Lincoln to talk with fourth-graders about Nebraska history. Then, I might come back to the Capitol to meet with my Deputy Secretaries of State about legislation we would like passed in the Legislature or an issue with Corporations or UCC filings. I might then travel to my hometown of North Platte for a Brand Association meeting, where I talk with farmers and ranchers from all over the state about issues affecting how they brand their animals. That evening, I might give an interview to a local newspaper or radio station about election reforms or meet with a group of international visitors.
One of the greatest things about this job is that I get to bring government to the citizen. I feel strongly that government exists for the betterment of its people, and a watchful citizenry is key to an efficient government. By educating Nebraskans about their state and its great history, I am part of keeping the citizens “watchful”. It’s exciting for me to visit a school and talk to kids, because they are the future of this state. When I preside over an election, I do so with great pride, because that is democracy in action. In short, I find being the Secretary of State for Nebraska to be very rewarding.
With best wishes,
John A. Gale
Secretary of State
Nebraska
Biography
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