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SECRETARY WATSON ANNOUNCES UPCOMING LEGISLATION REGARDING THE “SIP PLAN”

Jackson, Miss. – Secretary of State Michael Watson announced upcoming legislation regarding a proposal to transfer functions of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to the Secretary of State’s Office. The “SIP Plan”, which stands for Service, Information and Professionalism, provides a roadmap to improve the way Mississippians get or renew their driver’s licenses. 

CAMPAIGN FINANCE LATE-FILER LIST

Jackson, MS – Pursuant to Mississippi Code Section 23-15-817, the Secretary of State’s Office is required to publish a list of all candidates for the 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 Friday, January 10, 2020, and still have not filed their report to date include:

Mississippi Secretary of State Issues Cease and Desist Order Against GS Partners Global, Josip Heit, and Richard L. Shoto

JACKSON, Miss – Secretary of State Michael Watson announced an emergency enforcement action to stop an ongoing internal scheme threatening immediate and irreparable harm. The action accuses GS Partners Global (GS Partners), GS Partners Chairman of the Board Josip Heit, and Mississippi representative of GS Partners Richard L. Shoto, of offering and selling fraudulent certificates tied to digital assets, as well as investments in a staking pool in a proprietary metaverse.

Secretary Michael Watson Issues Order to Stop Convicted Felon from Defrauding Mississippians

JACKSON, Miss. – On October 26, 2023, Secretary of State Michael Watson and the Securities Division of the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office issued an order against Stephone N. Patton. According to the order, Patton is a serial fraudster with multiple criminal convictions in Mississippi and Florida. Through business filings with the SEC and Mississippi, Patton holds himself out to be the CEO of various companies, including:

2024 Election Qualifying Period Begins

JACKSON, Miss. – Candidates may begin qualifying today, January 2, 2024, for the 2024 Election for the offices of President, U.S. Senate, U.S. Representative, Supreme Court Justice, County Election Commission, Yazoo-Mississippi Delta Levee Commission, and Mississippi Levee Commission.

Secretary Michael Watson Joins National Association of Secretaries of State in #TrustedInfo2024 Initiative

JACKSON, Miss. – In conjunction with the Elections 101 voter education campaign, Secretary of State Michael Watson joins the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) in the association's relaunch of the initiative #TrustedInfo2024.

This effort continues to highlight election officials as the trusted sources for election information, which is critical in the age of mis-, dis-, and mal-information campaigns.

Campaign Finance Deadline - January 10th

JACKSON, Miss – As a reminder, periodic campaign finance reports for contributions and expenditures for the period of October 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023, are due by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 10, 2023.

Candidates may submit reports via:

2024 Election Qualifying Deadlines

JACKSON, Miss – The qualifying deadline for all candidates for U.S. Senate, U.S. Representative, and the Yazoo-Mississippi Delta Levee Commission is Friday, January 12, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

The qualifying deadline for the Presidential Preference Primary is Monday, January 15, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.