Avraham Piha-Paul

Louisiana Secretary of State

From overseeing elections and corporate filings to acting as the keeper of the state's most precious memorabilia, the Secretary of State's Office provides a wide range of valuable services. As chief elections officer, the secretary of state is responsible for qualifying candidates, overseeing elections operations and tabulating and verifying election results. GeauxVote.com, an online clearinghouse that eases access to all elections-related information, is a valuable resource for all Louisiana voters. The secretary of state also oversees the Commercial Division, which incorporates new businesses, provides licensing information and offers information on filing under the Uniform Commercial Code. GeauxBiz.com is a secretary of state-led initiative designed to streamline the business registration process. In addition, the secretary of state is the official keeper of the state seal and many other important documents. As the state's archivist, he is responsible for the preservation of the state's growing archival collection. Finally, the secretary of state is responsible for the operation of 16 museums located throughout Louisiana, from Louisiana's Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge to the Smithsonian-affiliated Louisiana State Exhibit Museum in Shreveport.