Dear Mississippians,
Like you, I’m certainly ready to turn the 2020 page. However, as odd as it may sound, I’ll treasure 2020 for the rest of my days. As tough as assuming a statewide position is in itself, the addition of Covid-19 complications made it that much more difficult. That said, as I reflect on 2020, I do so with a tremendous amount of pride and gratefulness.
JACKSON – The Secretary of State's Office encourages financial service registrants, particularly state-registered investment advisers and intrastate broker-dealers, to report any known issues or concerns related to the recent SolarWinds cybersecurity incident to their primary securities regulator.
JACKSON – 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 29, 2021, and still have not filed their report to date include:
Addie Lee Green
Adrienne Wooten
Albert Butler
Andre' R. De'Berry
Arquillas Coleman
Election reform remains a significant talking point in the wake of one of the most engaging election cycles in U.S. history. The obstacles of 2020 forced numerous election procedures and policies into the national spotlight, prompting states across the country to take a closer look at their overall election system. While no election is perfect, Mississippians can take pride in knowing we conducted a clean, safe, and fair 2020 General Election. We saw the highest voter turnout in state history and celebrated more than 113,000 newly registered voters.
JACKSON – Our office published an awareness advisory on our website to help investors better understand the potential threats to their online financial accounts and how to protect themselves from cybercriminals.
As financial technology has evolved, it has given consumers the ability to shop, save, and invest online using their phones, tablets, and computers. These modern financial conveniences, however, come with risks. Scammers always look for new ways to get into a consumer’s pocketbook, electronically or otherwise.
JACKSON – The Mississippi Secretary of State's Office, other state regulators, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission recently filed a joint civil enforcement action against Metals.com, Tower Equity, Chase Metals, Barrick Capital, and other associated parties. We accused the defendants of perpetrating a fraudulent precious metals investment scheme.
JACKSON – Secretary of State Michael Watson honored the winners of the 2020 Promote the Vote (PTV) program during an awards ceremony at Two Mississippi Museums Tuesday. PTV is the Secretary of State's Office's comprehensive K-12 voter education program consisting of a statewide mock election, an essay contest, and an art contest.
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.