Secretary Michael Watson Update

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September 13, 2022


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National Voter Registration Month

September is always one of my favorite months, not just because it is the start of college football, but it is also National Voter Registration Month (NVRM). This statewide initiative is intended to promote the importance of voting, keeping your voter registration information up-to-date, and encouraging Mississippians to serve as a poll worker.

This year we have launched the Voter Registration Road Trip which includes hosting voter registration drives across the state throughout the month of September. Some locations include the Tupelo Summerfest Fair, the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center, Delta State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi Braves, Biloxi Shuckers, and Mississippi University for Women, just to name a few. Stay tuned to the Office of the Secretary of State's official social media pages for locations near you.

To learn more about NVRM, click here.


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82-County Tour

We are nearing the finish line of our 82-County Tour with 66 counties complete. We are overwhelmed with the hospitality we have received and are excited about the relationships we are building. Our circuit clerks and election commissioners are the unsung heroes of our elections and their work does not go unnoticed. We are looking forward to completing all 82 by the end of this year!

To learn more about the 82-County Tour, click here.


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Ambassador Summit

We were thrilled to host our inaugural class of SOS Ambassadors at the Capitol last month. This program consists of 56 students from 44 schools in 28 counties across all four congressional districts.

This bright group of young Mississippians are the next leaders of our state! Our goal is to teach them how state government works, provide an overview of Mississippi elections, expose them to different career fields, and ultimately serve as mentors. We look forward to hosting them again in January!

To view the list of our inaugural Ambassador class, click here.


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Tackle the Tape

We are continuing to rid the red here in Mississippi through our Tackle the Tape initiative. As a member of the Occupational Licensing Review Commission, we have amassed 83 total votes to remove burdensome regulations over various professions.

Most recently, we voted to reduce regulations for Licensed Professional Counselors, Physicians Assistants, Social Workers/Marriage & Family Therapists, and Licensed Psychologists. 

Need to report a burdensome regulation? Visit our Tackle the Tape website.


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Charities Lunch & Learn

I relish the opportunities that I get to pause and spend time with my SOS family. Recently, I attended the Charities Division Lunch & Learn where I not only received updates from the division but was able to enjoy a time of food, fun, and fellowship. They are truly rockstars with the motto of “Educate and train to build strong charities.” We appreciate their service to Mississippians!

Recent News


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The Vicksburg Post: Mississippi Secretary of State meets with Warren County election officials

"Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson met with election officials at the Warren County Courthouse on Wednesday."

Click here to read the article


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WLOX: SOS Watson holds voter registration drive at the Shuckers game

"Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson held a voter registration drive at Tuesday night's Biloxi Shuckers game. He says it's important for voters to stay informed about both the issues and the candidates"

Click here to read the article.


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2022 Promote the Vote Registration Now Available

Registration for the Secretary of State’s 2022 Promote the Vote (PTV) program is now available. This year’s theme “Why Vote?” encourages students to consider the importance of voting and how it corresponds to their beliefs and values.

Click here to register


Staff Spotlight

Aaron Cooper

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Aaron Cooper is from Morton, Mississippi and serves as an Examiner in our Securities Division. He has been employed with the SOS since May 2019.

Aaron excels in our office for a variety of reasons but specifically for his work ethic, leadership, and never-ending learning curve. His energy and passion are unmatched, and he uses that skill set to build relationships in the office, across state agencies, and in service to Mississippians.

We are grateful to have Aaron on our staff!