Secretary of State

• As the state's chief elections officer, oversees statewide elections and provides public access to campaign and lobbying financial information.
• Maintains certain business filings, authenticates trademarks, regulates notaries public, and enables secured creditors to protect their financial interests.
• Preserves California's history by acquiring, safeguarding, and sharing the state's historical treasures.

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I am running for Secretary of State because I know firsthand the office should be doing so much more to lead the fight in making California's government more transparent, less corrupt, and more accountable to voters and small businesses. Experienced leader: As the Executive Director of the non-partisan Davenport Institute for Public Engagement at Pepperdine University, I have travelled across this state training and consulting with local governments, making them more transparent and responsive to the public. End the corrupt cycle: Sacramento has become a merry-go-round for career politicians who use their power to move up the political ladder instead of helping Californians. I am not a politician, and my résumé uniquely prepares me to reform this particular office. I will bring my background in civic engagement and private sector experience to Sacramento to increase informed participation, while protecting the integrity of our ballot box. Get jobs and businesses back: California has lost more jobs than any other state since the beginning of the recession. It's one of the toughest states to start or grow a small business. As a former small business owner with technology experience, I will enable online business registration and filings, and fight to reduce the outrageous Business Franchise Tax. Government works when it's accountable to its citizens. I humbly ask for your vote so I can deliver this change.

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Alex Padilla knows how to reach across party lines to get things done, working with both parties to pass 80 laws from improving education to protecting patients. He championed renewable energy, so by 2020, one-third of California's electricity will come from renewables. Firefighters, police officers and nurses support Padilla because he's dedicated to keeping all our communities safe, passing a law to prohibit felons from buying body armor. As Secretary of State, Alex Padilla will be just as effective. He'll help businesses create jobs. Businesses have waited months for approval from the Secretary of State to begin operations. Padilla will ensure new businesses can file online and begin operating within 5 business days. He'll modernize voting so we can vote when and where it's convenient. Padilla will inspire young people, visiting high schools to encourage 18-year-olds to register and vote. Padilla supports weekly reporting of campaign contributions, so voters know who is funding campaigns. Padilla will audit the Secretary of State's office to ensure taxpayer money is being spent wisely, efficiently, and getting results. He'll work to restore the Voting Rights Act so every citizen can vote without intimidation. Padilla's parents were immigrants. His father worked as a cook and his mother cleaned houses, and they taught him that anything is possible. Alex earned a scholarship to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, graduating with an engineering degree. Alex Padilla knows government doesn't have all the answers, and that's why he's visiting with voters in every California county.

The order of the statements was determined by lot. Statements on this page were supplied by the candidates
and have not been checked for accuracy. Each statement was voluntarily submitted by the candidate and is printed
at the expense of the candidate. Candidates who did not submit statements could otherwise be qualified to appear on the ballot.

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