Pedro Cortés

Pedro A. Cortés (born May 28, 1966) is an American government official. He served twice in the role of Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, originally from 2003 to 2010 until Governor Ed Rendell and later from 2015 to 2017 under Governor Tom Wolf.

Cortés was the first Latino confirmed to a position in the state cabinet, and holds the distinction of being the longest-serving Secretary of the Commonwealth in Pennsylvania history. Additionally, Cortés was the first Puerto Rican to serve in a state secretary of state role outside of Puerto Rico.

In 2017, Cortés resigned following reports of a glitch that allowed ineligible immigrants to register to vote when applying for or renewing drivers licenses.

Education and training Cortés earned his Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant and Travel Administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, a Master of Public Administration from Penn State Harrisburg, and a Juris Doctor from Penn State Dickinson Law. He also holds a certificate in Public Sector Human Resources Management from Penn State Harrisburg and Doctorate Degrees honoris causa from King's College, Harcum College and Widener University School of Law.

In 2004, Cortés was one of 40 state leaders from across the country selected to participate in the Toll Fellowship Program sponsored by The Council of State Governments. His peers elected him 2004 Class Representative.

Voter registration glitch and resignation Philadelphia City Commissioner Al Schmidt announced in September 2017 that his staff discovered 317 non-citizens who contacted City Commissioners to cancel their voter registrations since 2006, the year reliable statistics from the Statewide Uniform Registry of Electors began. Of the 317 ineligible registrations, 220 who responded to Schmidt's Office were registered to vote from the time the records began in 2006 until 2017 when the registrations were canceled, of whom 41% had recorded at least one vote in that period, and 51% of those who voted, cast ballots in more than one election. He previously served as Secretary of the Commonwealth from 2003 to 2010. At that time Cortés was the first confirmed Latino Cabinet member and longest serving Secretary of State in Pennsylvania history.

Personal life A native of Carolina, Puerto Rico, Cortés has lived in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania since 1990. He is married to Lissette Lizardi-Cortés and they have a daughter, Gabriela.

He has received honorary doctorates from King's College, Harcum College, and Widener University School of Law.