La. R.S. 36:743

There shall be a deputy secretary of the department, who shall be appointed by the secretary of state with consent of the Senate and who shall serve at the pleasure of the secretary of state at a salary fixed by the secretary of state, which salary shall not exceed the amount approved for such position by the legislature while in session. The deputy secretary shall be the first assistant to the secretary of state appointed pursuant to Article IV, Section 13 of the constitution. The duties and functions of the deputy secretary of state shall be determined and assigned by the secretary of state. He shall serve as acting secretary of state in the absence of the secretary of state as provided by law.