Press Releases
08/12/2025
Secretary of the State Thomas Elected to Leadership of National Organization
(Hartford, Connecticut) – Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas has been elected Eastern Region Vice-President of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), the nation’s oldest nonpartisan professional organization for public officials. The new Executive Board was recently sworn in at the close of the NASS 2025 Summer Conference.
“I’m honored that my colleagues have once again placed their trust in me to help advance thoughtful leadership around elections, business services, and the other issues that impact our offices,” said Secretary Thomas, who served as NASS Secretary from 2024-25. “Continued service on the NASS Executive Board is an opportunity for me to strengthen partnerships and collaborate across party lines, which is what a democracy requires. I’m proud to be part of this important work.”
An active NASS member since taking office as Connecticut’s Secretary of the State in January 2023, Secretary Thomas also serves on the organization’s Elections, Business Services, and Cybersecurity committees.
“I’m extremely appreciative of Secretary Thomas agreeing to serve on this year’s Executive Board,” said newly installed NASS President and Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson. “Her knowledge and guidance will be invaluable to our team’s leadership and the association as a whole.”
Also at the NASS conference, Connecticut’s Civically Engaged Organization (CEO) program was recognized as a national IDEAS Award finalist. Standing for Innovation, Dedication, Excellence, and Achievement in Service, the IDEAS Award honors outstanding programs and achievements like the CEO program, which provides nonpartisan resources to businesses that partner with the Connecticut Secretary of the State's Office to increase civic engagement in their communities.
Still in just her first term, Secretary Thomas has led several significant key election reforms in Connecticut, including the launch of early voting, expansion of automatic voter registration, and the acquisition of $25 million in bonding approved by Governor Ned Lamont and the state Bonding Commission to replace the state’s aging voting tabulators with state-of-the-art new ones. The 2,700 machines represent the state’s first voting equipment upgrade in 20 years and will make their debut at the statewide municipal elections in November.
Secretary Thomas will serve on the NASS Executive Board through July 2026, when the association meets for its Summer Conference in South Dakota.
The full 2025–2026 NASS Executive Board includes:
- President: Hon. Michael Watson, Mississippi
- President-elect: Hon. Steve Hobbs, Washington
- Immediate Past President: Hon. Steve Simon, Minnesota
- Treasurer: Hon. Robert Evnen, Nebraska
- Secretary: Hon. Phil McGrane, Idaho
- Eastern Region Vice President: Hon. Stephanie Thomas, Connecticut
- Southern Region Vice President: Hon. Tre Hargett, Tennessee
- Midwestern Region Vice President: Hon. Michael Howe, North Dakota
- Western Region Vice President: Hon. Maggie Toulouse Oliver, New Mexico
- Member-at-Large (NPA Section): Hon. Nancy Landry, Louisiana
- Member-at-Large (ACR Section): Hon. Sarah Copeland Hanzas, Vermont
Attached: Photo of the newly sworn-in NASS Executive Board with Secretary Thomas, Eastern Region Vice-President, second from right.
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