When most Tennesseans think about the role of the Secretary of State, they picture the referee safeguarding our state’s fair and free elections. While most know of Secretary of State Tre Hargett for this important job, election integrity is just one part of the many operations and duties that take place in his office.
Hargett pointed out the sheer scale of the office often goes unnoticed by the public.
“In a state full of 7 million citizens, a few know what we do at the SOS,” he said.
While most people only think about the Secretary’s office every election cycle, Hargett’s job and his office touches Tennessean’s lives far more often than they notice.
Just to start, the Secretary of State’s office is the official gateway for Tennessee’s economy. From a solo entrepreneur starting a lawn business, to a titan of industry with 10,000 employees, every business dream must first be registered within the office walls or online portals.
“The Secretary of State’s Office is fundamental to the system of commerce in Tennessee,” Hargett said.
By partnering with the Department of Commerce, Hargett’s office ensures state businesses have integrity providing the legal identity required for a company to grow, hire and thrive.
The oversight shifts from business to ethics when dealing with the state’s non-profits, ensuring that charitable organizations remain true to the missions they pitch to the public. If a discrepancy arises, Hargett and his staff work with the Comptroller’s office auditing any organization that may be illegally and unethically taking advantage of the goodwill of Tennesseans. It ensures every dollar meant for a charitable cause reaches the people in need.
One of the widely unknown but specialized duties Hargett discussed is the administration of apostilles, the international gold standard for verifying a notary’s seal across global borders. Whether it’s a student preparing for a semester in Spain or a family navigating the emotional journey of an international adoption, the Secretary’s office provides the final stamp of state authenticity recognized globally.
Perhaps one of the most cherished parts of the office’s portfolio is the management of the Tennessee State Library and Archives. Managing a total of nine libraries across 91 counties, these spaces are designed to inspire learning across the state.
This isn’t just a line item on a budget; according to Hargett it’s a reflection of his own journey.
“I was a nerd growing up… reading about historical figures and their impact on societies,” he recalled, thinking back to a time before information was just a tap away. “Government became a vehicle to do all the things you cannot do for yourself.”
Before his appointment to his current office, Hargett served in the Tennessee House of Representatives for a decade between 1996 and 2005 representing District 97 (Memphis to Bartlett) and was twice elected Republican Leader by his colleagues. He served as chairman of the Tennessee Regulatory Authority in 2008.
Since stepping into the Secretary of State’s role in 2009, Hargett has operated under a promise to boost public services and overall customer care. He approaches the bureaucracy with the mindset of a quality service provider rather than a rigid official.
“Customer service is key, and time and money are finite,” Hargett emphasized. “Accuracy and efficiency matter.”
This story is part of week long news coverage of the TN General Assembly by the UT-Chattanooga PULSE Project.
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