Secretary Michael Watson Newsletter

Mississippi Secretary of State sent this bulletin at 02/01/2024 01:15 PM CST

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#TrustedInfo2024

With a new year and the Presidential Primary Election just around the corner, we have once again joined the National Association of Secretaries of State in its relaunch of #TrustedInfo2024. This initiative directs voters to our office and your local election officials for trusted sources of election information.

In this age of false information, it is imperative Mississippians are equipped with the right resources and tools to understand the elections process. Through the #TrustedInfo2024 campaign, in addition to our Elections 101 voter education initiative, our goal is to ensure Mississippians are prepared for Election Day prior to heading to the polls.

For valuable elections information, visit YallVote.ms or follow the #TrustedInfo2024 and Elections 101 campaigns on our Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter) pages.

I encourage any Mississippian to reach out to our office or local election officials with questions or concerns

VISIT YALLVOTE.MS

MORE NEWS

WDAM: Mississippi’s Secretary of State Talks Election Integrity

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The Northside Sun: Watson’s Wish List is Excellent

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MS Today: SOS Michael Watson calls for campaign finance reform, less business regulation

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2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

It was my honor to gavel in the 2024 Legislative Session for the House of Representatives and lead them in their oath of office. Please join me in praying for these men and women who will lead our state legislature over the next four years. I look forward to working with each of them and am grateful for their service to Mississippi!

LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

As I discussed at the Neshoba County Fair last summer, the need for campaign finance reform in Mississippi is serious, and the most recent election cycle has further highlighted this reality. With the start of the 2024 session, our team rolled out a plan for a complete overhaul of campaign finance laws to promote greater accountability and transparency in Mississippi elections.

OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REVIEW COMMISSION RESTRUCTURE

With the goal of promoting an environment of business growth and competition by reducing overly burdensome regulations on individuals and businesses alike, my team and I launched the Tackle the Tape (TTT) initiative upon entering office.

In the last four years, as a member of the Occupational Licensing Review Commission (OLRC), we have also worked with our friends in the state legislature to adopt sensible and meaningful regulation reform ranging from universal licensure reciprocity to expanding the review authority of the OLRC.

Having vowed to be a regulatory wrecking ball for business regulations, we are asking lawmakers to restructure the OLRC to remove the Attorney General’s potential conflicts of interest, increase the knowledge base on the board, and add deadlines for action.

CIRCUIT CLERK UPDATE

I recently had the opportunity to visit with our newly elected county circuit clerks as they kicked off a new term, and although we completed our 82-County Tour last year, I am excited to return to the 22 counties with fresh faces. I look forward to working with them over the next four years to ensure clean elections in Mississippi. We are grateful for these unsung heroes of our state's elections and their willingness to serve.

OLRC VOTES

I am proud to close out my first term as Secretary of State with my 110th vote as a member of the OLRC to make it easier to do business in Mississippi. We don’t just talk about reducing red tape, we do it!

Should any regulation stand in your way of opening and/or operating your business, I encourage you to reach out to our office. We stand ready and willing to make it easier for all to work and do business in our state.

VISIT THE TACKLE THE TAPE WEBSITE

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Glendora Harden

Glendora serves in our Business Services Division and has been employed full-time with the Secretary of State’s Office since 2010.

Glendora is often the first person anyone visiting our offices meets! From her years of dedicated experience, she has become knowledgeable about all divisions and can direct customers to the right place for their needs to be served. Her calm demeanor and bright smile are welcoming to all who interact with her!

We appreciate Glendora’s service to the agency and to Mississippi. We are proud to have her on our team!

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES