JACKSON – Today, Secretary Michael Watson joins his National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) colleagues in the newly launched #BizSchemeSOS education effort. The initiative encourages the public, business owners and future entrepreneurs to keep the Secretary of State's Office as the primary, trusted contact for all business-related needs to avoid business schemes and other fraudulent practices or activities.

JACKSON – Time is winding down for Mississippians to voice their opinion on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project. The public commenting period closes tomorrow, June 3, 2021 at 11:59 (MT). 

Below is an overview of the purpose of the DEIS from the National Park Service.

JACKSON – Mississippi’s Municipal General Election Day is now less than one week away. Polls will open at 7 a.m. Tuesday, June 8, and close at 7 p.m. Any voter in line at 7 p.m. is entitled to cast a ballot.

Our office recently received reports and video footage of what appears to be an individual publicly offering cash prizes to encourage voter participation in Tuesday’s municipal election in Tupelo. We’ve also received numerous reports of local churches promoting cash prizes to encourage absentee voting in the same area.

JACKSON – One hundred and ninety-one of Mississippi's 297 municipalities will participate in Mississippi's Municipal General Election Day on Tuesday, June 8, 2021. Polls open at 7 a.m. Tuesday and close at 7 p.m., and as always, any voter in line at 7 p.m. is entitled to cast a ballot. Voting precincts for municipal elections often differ from voting precincts for county elections, so it is essential voters double-check their polling place with their local Municipal Clerk's Office prior to Election Day. 

JACKSON – General Election Day is officially underway for nearly 200 municipalities across Mississippi. So far, calls to our Election Hotline have been steady, with most calls relating to poll observer conduct and campaigning. As a reminder, it is unlawful to campaign for any candidate within 150 feet of any entrance to a polling place unless on private property. Additionally, all poll observers are advised to follow the conduct guidelines listed here on our website. 

Jackson, MS –  The Mississippi Secretary of State's Office fielded approximately 430 calls to our Elections Hotline during Tuesday's Municipal General Election Day. Most of the calls received Election Day afternoon related to mask requirements, affidavit ballots, and weather conditions for precincts in north Mississippi. Additionally, we're pleased to report our Cybersecurity team detected no abnormal activity on our websites or the Statewide Election Management System (SEMS) during Election Day.

Secretary of State Michael Watson joins fellow members of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) in observing September as National Voter Registration Month. During the month of September, our 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.

JACKSON - Mississippians are known for their generosity, especially during the holiday season. During the last reporting year, Mississippi charities brought in roughly $1.7 billion. As we creep closer to Christmas, it's important to remember the wisest giver is an informed giver. Our annual "Check Your Charity" campaign encourages Mississippians to check the validity of a charity or organization on our website before making a donation.

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 $11,226,497, representing the Tidelands Trust Funds amounts collected during Fiscal Year 2021 for use during Fiscal Year 2022. The $11.2 million is the second-highest tidelands transfer since 1997.