The Secretary of State, a constitutionally established office, is the chief elections officer of the state and is responsible for the administration and enforcement of election laws. The Office is also responsible for administering and enforcing laws pertaining to filing documents associated with corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, limited partnerships, unincorporated associations and pertaining to filing bonds and perfecting security agreements. In addition, the Office is responsible for commissioning notaries public, enforcing the notary laws, and in conjunction with being the home of the State Archives, preserving documents and records having historical significance. The Secretary of State is the filing officer for lobbying and campaign registration and disclosure documents filed under the Political Reform Act. The Secretary of State also operates the Safe At Home program, maintains the Domestic Partners and Advanced Health Care Directives Registries, and is home to the California Museum for History, Women and the Arts.

The executive staff determines policy associated with the administration of the Office through the programs of Elections, Political Reform, Business Programs, Archives, Information Technology and Management Services.