JACKSON — Secretary of State Michael Watson welcomed the first class of the newly created Student Ambassador Program in Jackson on Tuesday. Students and parents participated in various sessions throughout the day with Secretary Watson and Secretary of State representatives at the Mississippi Capitol.

JACKSON — In conjunction with the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Secretary of State Michael Watson proclaims August 16, 2022, as Help America Vote Day in addition to National Poll Worker Recruitment Day. This day of action is meant to assist poll worker recruitment efforts throughout Mississippi and across the nation.

JACKSON - Registration for the Secretary of State’s 2022 Promote the Vote (PTV) program is now available online at www.sos.ms.gov/PTV. This year’s theme “Why Vote?” encourages students to consider the importance of voting and how it corresponds to their beliefs and values.

Earlier today, we were made aware of the Supreme Court’s decision concerning the Long Beach Harbor. The Supreme Court has again reaffirmed the Legislature’s grant of authority to the Secretary of State to act as the agent for the State of Mississippi as trustee of the public trust tidelands. As your Secretary of State, and Trustee of public trust tidelands, every citizen in the State of Mississippi can count on me to defend the public's interests in this important resource.

JACKSON – Secretary of State Michael Watson joins fellow members of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) in proclaiming September as National Voter Registration Month. During September, the Secretary of State's Office, along with government agencies and organizations across the country, will promote the importance of voting and the significance of keeping your voter registration information up-to-date.

The Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office, County Circuit Clerks, and County Election Commissioners have received calls regarding a mailer sent by a private entity, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF). The mailer provides that, according to their review, someone at the address may not be registered to vote and encourages completion and submission of a voter registration form. This is not official correspondence from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office, County Circuit Clerks, or County Election Commissioners and is not an indication of a change in anyone’s voter registration status.

While maybe well-intentioned, a recent Clarion Ledger article on voting in Mississippi provided misleading information on the different avenues one can take to cast his or her ballot.

JACKSON – Secretary of State Michael Watson celebrated National Voter Registration Day by hosting voter registration drives at Mississippi schools across the state.  

JACKSON – In-person and mail-in absentee ballots are now available through your county circuit clerk's office for the November general and special election to be held on November 8, 2022.

JACKSON – Secretary of State Michael Watson announces the launch of a new initiative, Mississippi Businesses Against Trafficking (MBAT), which currently includes partnerships with several notable Mississippi organizations. 

MBAT is a statewide initiative to raise awareness and empower Mississippi businesses to combat human trafficking. It is open to any business, nonprofit organization, or association in the state of Mississippi that is interested in promoting human trafficking awareness both internally and externally.