About NASS

Founded in 1904, the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) is the oldest professional, nonpartisan organization of public officials in the United States. The association serves as a medium for the exchange of information among the Secretaris of State and fosters cooperation between state governments in the development and implementation of public policy. NASS also encourages members and affiliates to utilize their expertise and commitment to public service in creative, proactive ways that will better serve the American people. Secretaries of State, Lieutenant Governors, and other state officials who hold the responsibilities typically assigned to the Office of the Secretary of State are eligible to join the association. NASS membership includes the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Topics of common interest include:

Elections

As an association that represents the nation's chief state elections officials, NASS is a collective voice for the administrators who protect the right to vote by ensuring that the process is fair, accurate, and accessible. NASS is a leader in the area of voter education, election reform and modernization. Its members continue to be involved with the latest developments in voting technologies and processes. Specific programs also seek new and innovative ways to strengthen the connection between citizens and their government in order to safeguard democracy.

The Rotating Regional Primary Plan aims to improve the presidential primary process by establishing a reasonable, orderly and fair system for selecting nominees. NASS surveys on election administration and implementation of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) help to frame the association's policy approaches and offer best practices information to members.

canivote.org

In 2006, NASS launched www.canivote.org, a one-stop resource designed to help voters, or would-be voters, register to vote. The site provides local election official information, registration verification, a polling place locator, and much more. Canivote.org is the only national web site approved by state election officials that provides links to all of the information that voters will need to cast a ballot.

New Millennium Young Voters Project

The NASS New Millennium Young Voters Project started in 1998 as a national study to determine why 18-24 year olds were not registering or voting, now serves as a mechanism for NASS members to collectively promote voting and other forms of civic engagement among young people. The association plays a major role by developing resources for the states, including materials for developing effective voter outreach programs and youth-oriented voter education campaigns. 

E-Government

While serving as the leading state offficials in the areas of business registration, securities regulation, records management, and licensing of services and professions, NASS members strive to maximize services and protection to the public while accomodating the legitimate concerns of the private sector. The association addresses issues concerning privacy, efficiency, procurement, and innovation. Areas of specific interest include state administrative codes and registers, the Uniform Commercial Code, online business filings, digital archiving, redaction and electronic notarization.

International Relations

Recognizing the knowledge and expertise of its members, NASS seeks to enhance the role of the states in developing free markets and establishing ties with other democratic nations.

Professional Development

NASS endeavors to further develop the skills, knowledge, and leadership capacities of its members and affiliates. Many former Secreataries of State have gone on to become Governors, Ambassadors, Members of Congress, high ranking Administrative officials, and CEO's. NASS members not only interact with other state officials, they also collaborate with other associations, civic groups, private corporations, federal agencies, and members of the media.

Secretaries of State Duties

The duties of most Secretaries of State include:

• Conducting and certifying state and federal elections
• Developing voter education programs to increase turnout and civic participation
• Providing the oversight required by state campaign finance and ethical laws
• Registering domestic and foreign corporations, limited liability companies and limited liability partnerships
• Carrying out the responsibilities of the state required by the Uniform Commercial Code
• Handling business and occupational licensing
• Standardizing electronically transmitted data and certifications
• Certifying and protecting trademarks, trade names, and service marks
• Functioning as the keeper of the State Seal
• Developing ethical practices and standards for notaries
• Publishing state administrative codes and registers

Other duties may include:

• Overseeing the state archives and/or library systems
• Regulating the sale, registration and/or trading of securities
• Serving as the formal or informal international trade ambassador
• Maintaining records of state lands
• Registering and certifying charitable organizations

NASS Highlights

Conferences

NASS holds two conferences each year: a winter meeting and a summer meeting. They serve as forums for members and staff to meet and discuss issues of mutual concern, as well as to hear from the nation's leading experts and policymakers.

The association's two affiliate groups, the Administrative Codes and Registers (ACR) and Notary Public Administrators (NPA) Sections, also meet in conjunction with regular NASS conferences. The annual winter meeting is routinely held in Washington, DC, while the annual summer conference is conducted by a host state. The National Association of State Election Direcotrs (NASED) and NASS try to hold their winter conferences at the same time and location each year, and try to hold concurrent summer conferences every few years.

Committees

The NASS Executive Board is responsible for the general management, planning, and budgeting for the association. The board consists of the president, immediate past president, president-elect, four regional vice-presidents, secretary, treasurer, and two at-large members who function as liaisons to NPA and ACR. The standing committes of the assocation are:

• Awards Committee
• Business Services Committee
• Company Formation Task Force
• Corporate Affiliate Advisory Committee
• Elections Committee
• Presidential Primaries Subcommittee
• International Relations Committee
• Nominations and Credentials Committee
• Securities Committee
• State Heritage Committee
• Voter Participation Committee

Publications 

The association's monthly newsletter is available to members, emeritus members, staff, corporate affiliates, and partner organization. The publication covers association events, news from the states, and national events that are of interest to NASS members. The official NASS website, www.nass.org, provides the latest news, election information, corporate filing resources, and contact information for the Secretaries of State. Visitors can link to each state office and its divisions or find out more about NASS and its programs. The site also includes a corporate affiliate roster with contact information and links to homepages.

NASS Corporate Affiliate Program

Corporate Affiliate Levels

Platinum Level................$20,000
Gold Level.......................$10,000
Silver Level.....................$5,000

The NASS Corporate Affiliate Program is an excellent way to share ideas and build relationships with key state decision makers while supporting the civic mission of the association.

• Corporate Affiliates are invoiced in October for the coming year: January 1 - December 31. Payments are prorated for companies that join during the year.
• NASS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation
• NASS corporate affiliate payments are utilized to fund the daily operation of the association, support programming at NASS conferences, underwrite the NASS newsletter and website, continue the work of the NASS New Millennium Young Voters Project, and provide support for surveys, research, and other educational endeavors.

NASS Corporate Affiliate Benefits

Platinum Level Benefits:  

• Three free registrations to each NASS conference
• Free exhibit space at the NASS summer conference
• Conference signs and relevant material will recognize the company as a Platinum Level Corporate Affiliate
• Complimentary space at the corporate demo/expo at the NASS winter conference
• Invitations to Secretaries/Corporate Affiliates Only events at NASS conferences
• Listing in the Corporate Affiliate Roster on the NASS website, along with contact information and links to the company website

Gold Level Benefits

• Two free registrations to each NASS conference
• Free exhibit space at the NASS summer conference
• Conference signs and relevant material will recognize the company as a Gold Level Corporate Affiliate
• Complimentary space at the corporate demo/expo at the NASS winter conference
• Invitations to Secretaries/Corporate Affiliate Only events at NASS conferences
• Listing in the Corporate Affiliate Roster on the NASS website, along with contact information and links to the company website

Silver Level Benefits

• One free registration to each NASS conference
• Member-discounted rates for exhibit space at the NASS summer conference
• Complimentary space at the corporate demo/expo at the NASS winter conference
• Conference signs and relevant materials will recognize the company as a Silver Level Corporate Affiliate 
• Invitations to Secretaries/Corporate Affiliate Only events at NASS conferences
• Listing in the Corporate Affiliate Roster on the NASS website, along with contact information and links to the company website