Pursuant to the Constitution of Maine (Article V, Part Second), the Secretary of State is chosen biennially at the first session of the Legislature by joint ballot of senators and representatives in convention. In case of any vacancy, the Constitution of Maine provides that the Deputy Secretary of State shall act as Secretary of State until a successor is elected. The Secretary of State has custody of the state seal and, under the Constitution of Maine, is required to keep and preserve all records of all official acts and proceedings of the Governor, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Secretary of State’s office is the repository for important financial papers such as articles of incorporation and Uniform Commercial Code filings. The State Archives are within the Department of the Secretary of State. All rules adopted by all agencies are required by the Maine Administrative Procedure Act to be filed with the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State appoints notaries public and administers the laws relative to the registration of motor vehicles and the licensing of motor vehicle operators. The Secretary of State also administers state election laws.