The Biography of Stephanie Thomas
Stephanie Thomas is Connecticut’s 75th Secretary of the State
Stephanie Thomas was sworn in as Connecticut’s Secretary of the State on January 4, 2023. Over the course of her 30-year career, she advised and guided nonprofit organizations, operated her own business, and served as State Representative for the 143rd District, representing Norwalk, Wilton, and Westport. Today, she applies that experience to strengthen Connecticut businesses, promote civic engagement, and build public trust in government.
Since taking office, Secretary Thomas has worked to make Connecticut elections more open, accessible, and secure. She led the adoption of early in-person voting, making it easier for all Connecticut voters to cast their ballots. Collaborating with federal, state, and local partners, she has advanced election security by providing training, guidance, and resources to Registrars and local election officials.
Secretary Thomas also secured historic funding for the purchase and rollout of new voting tabulators and a new voter registration system. As the state’s chief elections administrator, she is overseeing the implementation of the Connecticut John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of Connecticut and the expansion of automatic voter registration across multiple Connecticut agencies.
Secretary Thomas has been recognized as a forward-thinking and dedicated leader with a collaborative, nonpartisan approach to elections, garnering national attention. She was invited to testify before Congress on voter access and election security and currently serves on the executive board of the National Association of Secretaries of State.
A former small business owner, Secretary Thomas has championed business-friendly legislation to simplify online filings, streamline the trade name application process, and reduce certain filing fees. She also helped enact legislation to protect Connecticut businesses from fraud and identity theft. In addition, she launched a monthly e-newsletter compiling information on funding opportunities and training resources for businesses.
Secretary Thomas believes that regular and active participation is essential to a strong representative democracy. During her tenure, she has made civic engagement and civic education top priorities, aiming not only to increase voter turnout but also to encourage year-round civic participation. A firm believer that elected officials should meet voters where they are, Secretary Thomas has held events across the state, fostering dialogue between the public and government. To promote civic education, her office has encouraged businesses and nonprofits to become civic ambassadors through her innovative CEO (Civically Engaged Organization) program and created “Power of Civics,” an online learning platform that provides tools and resources to help the public become civic champions.
Secretary Thomas made history as the first Black person elected Secretary of the State of Connecticut. She has dedicated time to serving on numerous boards and strategic planning committees and remains an active community volunteer. She holds a B.A. from New York University and an M.S. in Nonprofit Management from The New School. She and her husband are proud residents of Norwalk, Connecticut.