Department of State information

The Department of State is the oldest department within Michigan state government and is administered by the secretary of state. Elected to a four-year term with a maximum of two terms, the secretary of state is a member of the executive branch and has constitutional as well as statutory duties.

The secretary of state is the chief motor vehicle administrator and chief election officer for the state’s 10 million residents and is a voting member of several state boards and commissions, including the State Administrative Board, Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Commission and Michigan Truck Safety Commission. In the event of concurrent vacancies in the office of governor and lieutenant governor, including absence from the state, the secretary of state serves as governor.

Michigan is one of two states where the secretary of state has authority over election processes as well as vehicle registrations and the licensing of drivers. Other duties include administration of driver education and traffic safety programs; document certification as Keeper of the Great Seal, which provides the highest level of document certification in the state; and management of the notary public program. The department also maintains the state’s official repository of records, including state and local government records, state statutes and commercial financing statements. Additionally, the department administers the state’s organ donor registry.

The Department of State’s organizational structure includes the Bureau of Elections, Customer Services Administration, Legal Services Administration and several offices administered by the department’s chief of staff.

Department's work policy
Pursuant to section 238 of PA 166 of 2022, the Michigan Department of State (MDOS) posts this notice that it has adopted a hybrid policy that includes in-person, remote, and alternative work arrangements. The department or agency has the authority to assign and schedule its employees and determine their work location. This policy also provides for work options contingent upon the operational needs of the department or agency. Approval is at the discretion of the department or agency and can be changed or rescinded based upon operational needs. The policy includes which positions may qualify for a work option, how to request one and the requirements necessary for approval.

SEC. 238. IT IS THE INTENT OF THE LEGISLATURE THAT DEPARTMENTS MAXIMIZE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE STATE WORKFORCE AND, WHERE POSSIBLE, PRIORITIZE IN-PERSON WORK. EACH EXECUTIVE BRANCH DEPARTMENT, AGENCY, BOARD, OR COMMISSION THAT RECEIVES FUNDING UNDER PART 1 MUST POST ITS IN-PERSON, REMOTE, OR HYBRID WORK POLICY ON ITS WEBSITE.

The Bureau of Customer Service (BCS) operates all Secretary of State Branch Offices across the state. Among other responsibilities, BCS provides driver’s licensing, vehicle titling and registration, and voter registration services.

The Bureau of Elections (BOE) is responsible for overseeing elections and relevant programs in Michigan, including campaign finance and lobbying disclosures. The Bureau oversees county, city, and township clerks, county canvassing boards, and election commissions.

The Legal Services Administration (LSA) provides legal support to the Department of State and contains the Office of Legal Policy, Office of Hearings and Administrative Oversight, and the Office of Investigative Services. LSA also supports the Citizens Redistricting Commission.

Chief of Staff-administered offices include Office of Communications and External Affairs (OCEA), Office of Human Resources (OHR), Office of Information and Security Control (OISC), Office of Continuous Improvement and Transformation (OCIT), and Core Technology Platform Division (CTPD).