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. 

BILOXI – On behalf of the Gulf Coast legislative delegation, Secretary of State Michael Watson presented the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) with a check for $10,314,561, representing the Tidelands Trust Funds amounts collected during Fiscal Year 2022 for use during Fiscal Year 2023.

JACKSON – As of Sunday, October 23, 2022, the Statewide Election Management System (SEMS) reported a total of 17,693 absentee ballots requested, 16,884 absentee ballots sent, and 10,186 absentee ballots received in the state of Mississippi for the 2022 General Election. 

JACKSON — Circuit Clerk Offices will be open from 8:00 a.m. to noon for in-person absentee voting this Saturday, October 29.

The last day to vote in-person absentee is Saturday, November 5. Circuit Clerk Offices will be open from 8:00 a.m. to noon.

All mail-in absentee ballots must be postmarked by November 8 and received by county Circuit Clerk Offices within five business days of November 8 in order to count.