1. (1) The secretary of state shall appoint a chief deputy and a deputy who in the absence of the principal shall perform all the duties of office. In the case of a vacancy in the office of secretary of state, the chief deputy shall perform all the duties of the office until such disability be removed or vacancy filled.
2. (2) Such deputies shall subscribe, take, and file the oath of office provided by law for other state officers before entering upon the performance of their duties.

History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 86, L. 1903; re-en. Sec. 143, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 122, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 122, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 181, L. 1947; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 8, L. 1949; amd. Sec. 48, Ch. 177, L. 1965; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 468, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 82-601(part).