Jackson, Miss. – After listening to concerns brought forth by the Secretary of State’s Office, Governor Tate Reeves ordered to waive the in-person requirement for notarizing documents in Mississippi for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency, subject to guidance provided by Secretary of State Michael Watson. Executive Order 1467, effective April 7, 2020, authorizes remote notarizations and the Secretary of State’s temporary guidance. 

JACKSON, Miss – As of Monday, July 24, 2023, the Statewide Election Management System (SEMS) reported a total of 17,218 absentee ballots requested, 16,660 absentee ballots sent, and 11,313 absentee ballots received in the state of Mississippi for the 2023 Primary Election. 

Jackson, Miss. – Secretary of State Michael Watson will honor graduates across Mississippi during a virtual commencement address via Facebook Live on Monday, May 4, at 4 p.m. The commencement address is a part of Salute to Seniors, the Secretary of State’s Office’s digital celebration for 2020 graduates.

Mississippi seniors were scheduled to walk across the stage and receive their cap and gown this month. Unfortunately, coronavirus-related concerns prompted schools to alter, postpone, or cancel in-person commencement ceremonies for the class of 2020.

JACKSON, Miss – As a reminder, pre-election campaign finance reports for the Primary Election are due by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 1, 2023.

Pre-Election Reports are mandatory if a candidate is opposed. If running unopposed, Pre-Election Reports are not required. For candidates who are unopposed in both the Primary and General Election, the Secretary of State's Office does encourage filing a termination report if candidates have no further expenditures or contributions. 

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

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

All mail-in absentee ballots must be postmarked by August 8 and received by county circuit clerk offices within five business days of August 8 in order to count.

JACKSON, Miss – As of Monday, July 31, 2023, the Statewide Election Management System (SEMS) reported a total of 26,946 absentee ballots requested, 26,314 absentee ballots sent, and 20,476 absentee ballots received in the state of Mississippi for the 2023 Primary Election. 

JACKSON, Miss – With Election Day on the horizon, the Secretary of State's Office and Secretary of State Michael Watson encourage Mississippians to utilize the updated polling place locator through the My Election Day portal for the latest poll information.

JACKSON, Miss. – Mississippi's Primary Election Day is one week away. The August 8 ballot features statewide, state district, county, and county district offices.

To familiarize yourself with the upcoming election, visit the My Election Day portal to receive election information tailored to your specific address.

Polls for the August 8 Primary Election will open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. Any voter in line at 7:00 p.m. is legally entitled to cast a ballot. 

JACKSON, Miss – The Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office was recently awarded the prestigious International Association of Commercial Administrators (IACA) Merit Award for the newly established Welcome to Business (WTB) Webinar Program.

The IACA Merit Awards are given each year to jurisdictions who have successfully implemented an innovative change in their home jurisdictions. A select panel of experts carefully reviews and scores each submission in the areas of Effectiveness, Originality, Significance and Transferability, and Lessons Learned.

JACKSON, Miss – Pursuant to Mississippi Code Section 23-15-817, the Secretary of State’s Office is required to publish a list of all candidates for Statewide or Legislative Office who failed to file a campaign disclosure report by the dates specified in Section 23-15-807(b).

Individuals who failed to timely file their campaign finance report by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, and still have not filed their report to date include: