William Francis Galvin is a Democrat serving as the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts since 1994, functioning as the state's chief election officer . He holds the third-ranking constitutional office statewide and is one of the longest-serving officials in this role, currently in his eighth term.

Boston-born William Francis Galvin was first elected Secretary of the Commonwealth in 1994, overseeing elections, securities regulation, and historic preservation across Massachusetts. As chief elections officer, he developed the statewide voter registration database and implemented the Help America Vote Act, while advocating for voting rights expansions like permanent no-excuse mail-in voting and early voting. He has recovered millions for securities fraud victims as chief securities regulator and, as Chairman of the Massachusetts Historical Commission, awarded over $400 million in historic tax credits spurring construction statewide. A voter favorite, he won re-election by wide margins despite primary challenges.

Education and Political Experience

Galvin graduated from Boston College in 1972 and earned a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University School of Law. His career began as an aide to the Massachusetts Governor’s Council post-graduation, followed by ascent through state government ranks before his 1994 election as Secretary. Previously a state representative, he remains active in the National Association of Secretaries of State as co-Chair of the Securities Committee and former co-Chair of Presidential Primaries.