In the UCC Program, all of the parish clerks of court are linked to the secretary of state's office by computer. This program is one of the first of its kind in the country and is considered to be on the cutting edge of technology. Direct Access is another ambitious undertaking within the secretary of state's office. Since going on-line in 1995 it has enabled individuals and businesses with the computer capability to tap into the secretary of state's office for information on corporations, their respective boards and other data. Before 1995 callers had to go through an operator for information, but now with Direct Access they can access the database on their own.
Elections touch the lives of literally every person in our state.
As chief elections officer, the secretary of state is responsible for qualifying certain candidates, overseeing the election, and tabulating and verifying the results. The state wide election in 1991 was the first completely automated election held in this state. The secretary of state is the official keeper of the state seal, as well as many other important documents. As the state's archivist, this office is responsible for the care and storage of many irreplaceable treasures. The State Archives Building, located on Essen Lane in Baton Rouge, opened in 1987 and provides a home for the state's growing archival collection.