Tahesha Way serves as New Jersey’s 34th Secretary of State. She serves as New Jersey’s top election official, overseeing the state Division of Elections and its work in securing our democracy and ensuring broad, fair access to the right to vote. In addition to this critical work, Ms. Way also oversees the state government offices supporting New Jersey’s vibrant arts, culture, history, and business communities.
Ms. Way spearheads the New Jersey Ballot Bowl student voter registration competition and the Jersey Civic Engage initiative to further civic engagement and voter participation.
Throughout her career, Secretary Way has devoted herself to public service. Prior to becoming Secretary of State, she was an Administrative Law Judge for the State of New Jersey. In 2006, Secretary Way was elected to the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders and served as the Freeholder Director in 2009. She served as special counsel for the Passaic County Board of Social Services, and as a council member for the New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council.
Secretary Way currently serves as the President of the National Association of Secretaries of State. Secretary Way is a graduate of Brown University, where she served as Vice President of the collegiate chapter of the NAACP and President of her Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Ms. Way holds a juris doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law at Charlottesville.