DEERFIELD VALLEY- One of the contested primary battles this election season is secretary of state. Four candidates, two Republicans and two Democrats, are vying to become their party’s nominee and they all believe they have what it takes to handle the responsibilities. The primary election will be on August 24.

The secretary of state oversees Vermont’s government records, notaries public, the state’s elections, lobbyist registration and disclosures, and campaign finance filings. The secretary of state also administers the licensing of business entities, the filing of uniform commercial codes’ financing statements, and provides information on open government laws and general government agency information.

Deb Markowitz is stepping down as Vermont’s secretary of state to attempt to become the Democratic Party’s nominee for governor, and the position is now open for the first time in 12 years. Democratic candidate Jim Condos, of Montpelier, said he wasn’t considering becoming a candidate until Markowitz approached him. “She said ‘With your background, you should consider running for it.’ It’s one of those positions that intrigues me and I’d like to be it,” said Condos.

Condos has worked 30 years in the business sector, served 18 years on the South Burlington City Council, and eight years as a Chittenden County senator. He chaired the Government Operations and Education committees and oversaw many of the secretary of state’s responsibilities. As a result, Condos said he is familiar with the role of secretary of state and has the experience to do the job well. “I think it’s good for the state to get some fresh blood out there,” said Condos. “I have a broad business background and experience in policy making and operations, and I’ve served Vermonters. These are all important points for the secretary of state’s office.”

A pressing issue facing the next secretary of state is greater efficiency and transparency. Condos wants to make the secretary of state’s office “function as seamlessly as possible.” He said a more user-friendly website is a great place to start. He also believes the campaign finance disclosures website needs to be improved. His solution is to create a searchable online database that includes an online filing system. He also supports cutting back on the number of records kept from public view and wants to have an ombudsman who can review denied records requests. “(Everyone) needs to know the process. I want to make it easier and less intimidating,” said Condos.

Charles Merriman, of Middlesex, is also seeking the Democratic nomination for secretary of state. Merriman says he has “a strong passion for local participatory democracy.” He is a former assistant attorney general in the tax department; worked for the department of banking, insurance, securities, and health care; and facilitated workshops for Vermonters through the UVM extension service, Vermont League of Cities and Towns, and the Town Clerks and Treasurers Association. Merriman has been a lawyer for 15 years and is a partner in the Tarrant, Marks, Gilles, Merriman, and Richardson law firm.

What sets Merriman apart from Condos is his approach. Condos believes the secretary of state’s position should be handled as an administrative executive position. Merriman disagrees. “This is a job that requires good grounding in legal and municipal matters. I have grounding in corporate law and the office of professional regulation. My Democratic opponent thinks of himself as an administrator. That’s not the job,” said Merriman.

Merriman said the most pressing issue is “to ensure the office stays nonpartisan.” Like Condos, he believes the secretary of state’s website and campaign finance reports must be revamped. He says the secretary of state’s information and records must be easily accessible and organized in a rational manner. Merriman also supports smooth management of public records disputes, improvement of the open meetings law, and the promotion of greater civic education and participation in schools. “This is the only office I wanted to run for,” said Merriman. “I don’t want to set budgets. I want to make sure the process is clean and stays there.”

On the Republican side, Jason Gibbs, of Duxbury, believes the secretary of state’s office can be “a center of excellence, do more to help generate more economic activity, and reduce reliance on taxpayers.” For the last six years, Gibbs has been working at the executive level in Vermont state government. He served as Governor Jim Douglas’ senior policy advisor and press secretary, the secretary of military and civil affairs, and, in 2008, Gibbs became the commissioner of forests, parks, and recreation.

As commissioner, Gibbs oversees a department that is twice the size of the secretary of state’s in terms of personnel and budget. He cut wasteful spending, increased private sector activity, and boosted park visits. When asked why he wanted to be a Republican candidate for secretary of state, Gibbs said “Because I don’t want any other job. It’s the one office that is most interesting to me because you are charged with preserving and protecting the most important traditions of governance.” Gibbs continued, “I believe that the best form of government is small local self-governance and the secretary of state plays an important role in ensuring the integrity of state government and the principles of local government that made Vermont a special place.”

Gibbs said the secretary of state should make Vermont an easier place in which to open and operate a small business. He questions whether the secretary of state’s office needs multiple departments and said there are several bureaucratic requirements that need to be addressed. “It’s easier to work with the Internal Revenue Service to get an employee ID number than to navigate or work within the state’s business registration process. The IRS should not be ahead of us in the quality of customer service,” said Gibbs. “There is an opportunity to make the entrance point for entrepreneurs one of the most inviting in the country.”

Chris Roy, of Williston, said he was approached by the Republican Party to become a secretary of state candidate. Roy is a former member of the Vermont Environmental Board and Vermont Advisory Committee to the US Commission on Civil Rights. He is a Williston selectboard member and a lawyer at Downs, Rachlin, and Martin.

Roy has 20 years of experience in licensing, public records access, and business registration. He said the secretary of state’s office needs to better use technology “because it impacts all functions of that office.” He wants to make financial disclosures more transparent; professional licensing more efficient and less costly; and public records more accessible to citizens. “I think one of the themes during the primary is difference of backgrounds. Not only do I have more relevant experience but I have experience from outside Montpelier,” said Roy. “I’m pursuing the secretary of state’s office because it is tailored to my unique experience and position. I believe I’m the most qualified person.

For more information visit www.jimcondos.com, www.merrimanforvt.com, www.gowithgibbs.com, and wwwroy4sos.com.