WHAT IS PROMOTE THE VOTE?

Promote the Vote (PTV) is the Secretary of State Office’s comprehensive K-12 voter education program. Students will have the opportunity to participate in school-organized mock elections and will apply other skills through various PTV contests, such as art, essay, and poetry contests. Mississippi Economic Council (MEC) partners with the Agency to encourage school, teacher, and student participation.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

The program is open to all teachers and students in grades K-12. We encourage participation by public, private, and parochial schools as well as home school associations.

DOES IT COST ANYTHING TO PARTICIPATE?

Promote the Vote is a free program offered to all schools and teachers in the State of Mississippi by the State. All classroom materials are available for download after registration.  For questions or assistance, please email ptv@sos.ms.gov.

The 2025 PTV theme, Winners Vote!, encourages students to see voting as a team sport.

Art Contest (Grades K-12)
Grades K-2: Draw some of the characteristics which make Mississippi a winning state.
Grades 3-5, 6-8, 9-10, 11-12: Students may choose from the following two options:

• Prompt 1: Draw a marketing advertisement for your peers to encourage voter participation using this year’s theme Winners Vote!
• Prompt 2: Depict how voting is a “team sport,” and everyone wins when we vote.

Essay Contest (Grades 6-12)
Students may choose from the following two options:

• Prompt 1: Voting is a team sport. Do you agree with this statement or not? Support your argument with evidence from national, state, or local voting guidelines.
• Prompt 2: What kind of influence do famous athletes have on Americans and our country? Are their “platforms” positive or negative contributions to society?

Poetry Contest (Grades 6-12)
Students may choose from the following two options: 

• Prompt 1: Describe the characteristics of a winner.
• Prompt 2: Describe your favorite athlete.

Video Contest (Grades 9-12)
Create a 30-60 second campaign video to explain how you are the winning choice for Mississippi’s next Secretary of State. Each video should be fun and creative. Students can insert pictures and videos, do a skit, or create a PSA.
Questions to consider:

• What are some of your best attributes?
• What do you love about Mississippi?
• How can you make Mississippi a better place?

Mock Election (Grades K-12)
This year, students in grades K-12 will have the opportunity to organize an election focused on some of Mississippi’s greatest football players!  Students will vote for the athlete of their choice on PTV Mock Election Day, Tuesday, October 14, 2025. The PTV Mock Election is open to all students who are enrolled in a Mississippi school or program registered for Promote the Vote.

NEW CONTEST:
“I Voted” Sticker Contest (18 years or older)
Anyone 18 years and older who is a registered voter in Mississippi is encouraged to design and submit artwork to be used as the “I Voted” sticker for all 82 counties during the 2026 election cycle. Artwork submitted must fit on a two-inch circular sticker and cannot be derogatory or negative in any way.
Prompt: Any creative imagery which evokes the spirit or essence of Mississippi or Mississippians