Logical Legislation 

As Mississippi's Chief Elections Officer, I am constantly looking for ways to protect the integrity of each vote, which is why I am proud to support House Bill 1510 (HB 1510). This bill safeguards our elections in three ways at the state level. 

First, it increases our ability to ensure only United States citizens may register to vote. Secondly, it strengthens our procedures for maintaining clean voter rolls. Lastly, the bill provides additional funds for acquiring, upgrading, and maintaining elections equipment. 

The ability to hold free and fair elections is one of our greatest liberties and has a profound impact on all Americans. I hope you will join me in supporting the work of our legislators on HB 1510.

MS Top 50 Awardee It was an honor to be named to the 5th class of the MS Top 50 most influential leaders in the state. Although I am appreciative of my nomination, it is not merely an individual achievement. This recognition truly speaks to the skill and effectiveness of everyone in our office. Proud to work alongside Mississippi's finest!

2020-2024 Blue Book I am truly excited about the release of the 2020-2024 Mississippi Official & Statistical Register, better known as the Blue Book.  It has been a labor of love to create a resource which attempts to capture the ways Mississippi continues to grow and prosper through challenges and changes. As a reminder, copies of the publication are available to the public at no cost. To request a Blue Book, email publications@sos.ms.gov or call 601-359-6344. Click here to download the digital version of the Blue Book.

82-County Tour Continues After my recent visits with Circuit Clerks and Election Commissioners in Simpson and Covington Counties, we are now more than halfway through our 82-County Tour. Since Mississippi is a bottom-up state, establishing solid relationships with the local officials who conduct elections is essential to making sure things run smoothly all year round and not just on Election Day. As we enter the second half of our tour, I encourage you to establish and foster relationships with your local election officials. Their offices are a great resource for credible voting information tailored toward your community. Click here to keep up with our 82-County Tour stops.

Recent News

The Extra Mile: Legislative Session: Secretary of State Michael Watson

"Secretary of State Michael Watson joined the show to talk about various initiatives at the SOS office, the importance of adequate transportation across the state, voting issues and more."

Click here to listen to the podcast interview.

Mississippi Edition: BlockFi Settlement

"And, we talk with Secretary of State Michael Watson about the state's recent settlement with a cryptocurrency app. We also hear Sec. Watson's take on two key bills working their way through the state legislature."

Click here to listen to the
radio interview.

Staff Spotlight

Vickie Burkes

Vickie Burkes joined the Secretary of State's Office in 2020 and serves as the Director of Creative Services in the Publications Division. She was invaluable during the production of the 2020-2024 Blue Book, and brings the same attention to detail and dedication to every project. We appreciate Vickie's willingness to go above and beyond in her role here, and we always have the utmost confidence in her work. Thank you for your service, Vickie!