Joseph L. Donovan (June 16, 1893 – October 28, 1985) was a Minnesota politician, a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, and Minnesota's Secretary of State from 1955 to 1971. He also served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1960 and 1964.Donovan was born in Champion, Michigan, and later moved to Duluth. He was married to Mary Noldin. He died in Dakota County on October 28, 1985.