The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico provides for the position of Secretary of State of Puerto Rico who is first in line to exercise the role of acting Governor when the Governor is temporarily unavailable, whether because of being away from Puerto Rico or due to another temporary incapacity. The Secretary of State is the only official who can automatically become Governor if the elected Governor is permanently incapable of remaining in office due to death, resignation, or conviction as part of an impeachment process. Prior to the adoption of the local Constitution, the Foraker Act of 1900 and the Jones-Shafroth Act of 1917 provided for the position of Executive Secretary, who carried out the roles assigned to contemporary Secretaries of State.
Since 1952, Secretaries of State have been appointed by the Governor, subject to the advice and consent of both the Senate of Puerto Rico and the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico.
