What all of this means, I think, is that Secretaries of State are still highly influential - but in a substantive election role more than as political figures. Sometimes their background gives them a higher statewide or national profile: Ohio's Jon Husted gets attention because the Buckeye State is such a battleground but also because of his tenure in the state legislature, including service as Speaker of the State House, while Kansas' Kris Kobach's influence stems from his record as an academic and advocate in the field of immigration and election integrity. But these are unique to the individual, not inherent in the job.
Governing's Jacobson gets it right when he suggests that Secretaries aren't the political players that many insiders think they are. In the world of election administration, though, Secretaries of State are still a big deal - even if it is a big job with which to deal.
Secretaries of State: Still Important After the Glory Years
via blog.lib.umn.edu
