430 W. Allegan St.
Richard H. Austin Building - 4th Floor
Lansing, MI 48918
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 Chief of Staff administrated offices: Bureau of Legal Services, Bureau of Financial Services, Bureau of Elections and several other offices. Then there is the Chief Operating Officer who manages the Bureau of Quality Customer Experience, the Bureau of Branch Operations and several other offices.
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 Approval is at the discretion of the department or agency and can be changed or rescinded based upon operational needs.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.
Aghogho Edevbie
Deputy Secretary of State
430 W. Allegan St.
Richard H. Austin Building - 4th Floor
Lansing, MI 48918
The Deputy Secretary of State leads the development and implementation of the administration’s election policy. The Deputy Secretary of State also works on outreach and education through engagement with state and local elected officials, as well as supporting clerks and community organizations and leaders. The Office of Policy Initiatives reports to the Deputy Secretary of State.
Tina Anderson
Chief of Staff
430 W. Allegan St.
Richard H. Austin Building - 4th Floor
Lansing, MI 48918
Chief of Staff-administered offices include Bureau of Legal Services, Bureau of Financial Services, Bureau of Elections, Office of Human Resources (OHR), Office of Communications, and Office of External Affairs.
Mike Brady
Chief Legal Director
430 W. Allegan St.
Richard H. Austin Building - 4th Floor
Lansing, MI 48918
The Legal Services Administration (LSA) provides legal support to the Department of State and contains the Office of Hearings and Administrative Oversight, and the Office of Investigative Services. LSA also supports the Citizens Redistricting Commission.
Cindy Paradine
Director
430 W. Allegan St.
Richard H. Austin Building - 4th Floor
Lansing, MI 48918
The Bureau of Financial Services contains the Revenue Division and the Procurement Division.
Jonathan Brater
Director
430 W. Allegan St.
Richard H. Austin Building - 1st Floor
Lansing, MI 48918
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.
Jackie Venton
Chief Operating Officer
430 W. Allegan St.
Richard H. Austin Building - 4th Floor
Lansing, MI 48918
The Chief Operating Officer oversees the Bureau of Branch Operations and the Bureau of Quality and Customer Experience as well as the Continuous Improvement Division, the Information and Security Control Division, Core Technology Division and Office of Customer Records.
Angela Harness
State Bureau Administrator
State Secondary Complex
7064 Crowner Dr. - 3rd Floor
Lansing, MI 48918
The Bureau of Quality and Customer Experience manages Customer Information (CID), Employee Engagement & Quality Division (EEQD) and the Office of Business & Internal Services (OBIS). The Bureau of Quality and Customer Experience provides driver’s licensing, vehicle titling and registration, and voter registration services.
Jennifer Mazzola
State Bureau Administrator
State Secondary Complex
7064 Crowner Dr.
Lansing, MI 48918
The Bureau of Branch Operation (BBO) operates all Secretary of State Branch Offices across the state. It also contains the Occupancy Services Division.
