JACKSON – According to a press release issued by the United States Census Bureau on Tuesday, self-response and field data collection operations for the 2020 Census will conclude today, Thursday, October 15, 2020.

JACKSON – Secretary Michael Watson announced his office's Securities Division joined 31 other state regulators and the SEC in a $100 million settlement with the digital-asset financial services company BlockFi Lending LLC (BlockFi). The settlement relates to cryptocurrency offerings made to Mississippians. 

JACKSON — The Mississippi Secretary of State's Office is seeking high school seniors with a passion for leadership and state government to apply for the agency's newly-created Student Ambassador Program. The program aims to increase voter education and registration among youth and encourages students to engage in Mississippi civics. 

Components of the program include:

JACKSON – As of Sunday, October 18, 2020, the Statewide Election Management System (SEMS) reported a total of 120,253 absentee ballots requested, 115,848 absentee ballots sent, and 89,499 absentee ballots received in the state of Mississippi for the 2020 General Election. 

Secretary Michael Watson poses for a picture with winners of the 2021 Promote the Vote essay contest during an awards ceremony at the Two Mississippi Museums.
 

JACKSON –  Our office recently published 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).

Senate Bill 2818 exempts both the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) and the Mississippi Department of Revenue (DOR) from crucial state laws regarding public purchasing, state contracts, and the development of regulations. These laws are necessary to protect the public’s best interest, increase transparency, and prevent corruption.

Historically, the authority to assess campaign finance civil penalties has rested with the Secretary of State’s Office. In 2017, the legislature transferred the penalty assessment authority to the Ethics Commission. While done with the best intentions, the transfer of authority has created more problems than solutions.

Over the past few days, our office received numerous questions regarding a social media post and comments alleging our Statewide Election Management System (SEMS), which stores all voter registration information, is housed and operated in Ukraine. Simply put, this claim is absolutely false. The information and hardware that make up our election system have always been housed safely within the State of Mississippi, and that safeguard will remain in place as long as I’m Secretary of State.