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GENERAL ELECTION RUNOFF
Mississippi's 2024 Runoff Election on November 26 featured runoff races in 49 counties. Once again, Mississippi saw no major incidents other than an extremely close Supreme Court race.
As this year comes to an end, I remain incredibly proud of the hard work done by Mississippi's elections team consisting of our circuit clerks, election commissioners, poll workers, and the exceptional team here at the Secretary of State's Office. Thanks to these individuals' selfless efforts, Mississippi has had a phenomenal election year. All Mississippians should be proud of the integrity and efficiency of our elections.
I challenge each of you to continue to encourage your families, friends, and neighbors to engage in the elections process and fulfill civic duty and responsibility. Mississippi needs an engaged electorate now more than ever! Although the 2024 elections are over, I encourage you to stay up-to-date on YallVote.ms as we approach a new election season in 2025. Next year, Mississippi holds municipal elections with the primary election occurring in April and the general election in June.
Additionally, follow the Secretary of State's Office on Facebook, X, and Instagram for important reminders and deadlines through our Elections 101 campaign. Our office is your trusted source for all election information!
MORE NEWS
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 WLOX: Sec. of State Michael Watson comments on human trafficking awareness, elections process in Mississippi
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WLBT: Bribery scandal highlights how weaknesses in Mississippi law can be exploited
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CLARION LEDGER: Mississippi voter turnout falls lower than previous years. How much did it fall?
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OLRC VOTES
Proud to complete our fifth year as a member of the Occupational Licensing Review Commission with 135 votes! Each of these votes helps reduce the regulatory burden on hardworking Mississippians. We don't just talk about reducing red tape, we do it!
Our goal remains to promote economic opportunities for all Mississippians. Encouraging competition, innovation, and job growth makes our state the best place to live and work.
Should you encounter any regulation hindering your business or profession, 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!
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CHECK YOUR CHARITY
Mississippians are known for their generosity, especially during the holiday season, but it's important to remember the wisest giver is an informed giver. Through our annual Report on Charitable Organizations, we encourage all citizens to check the validity of a charity or organization prior to making a donation. Checking your charity helps ensure your hard-earned donations advance the core charitable purpose or mission of the organizations you support.
For other tips on how to ensure your dollars go to those in need, check out our Tips For Donating To Charity or contact a member of our Charities Division at (601) 359-1599 or charities.customerservice@sos.ms.gov.
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BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP INFORMATION (BOI) UPDATE
On the federal level, we continue to see progress toward resisting the new Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirements with FinCEN. Recently, a Texas U.S. District Court granted a request from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) for a preliminary injunction to block the U.S. Department of the Treasury's enforcement of the BOI requirements.
In light of the federal court order, reporting companies are not currently required to file with FinCEN and are not subject to liability if they fail to do so while the order remains in force. However, reporting companies may continue to voluntarily submit beneficial ownership information reports.
There's more work to be done, but this is a great step in the right direction. Together, we will continue to protect our business owners from federal overreach!
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PROMOTE THE VOTE (PTV) DEADLINE
The deadline for the 2024 Promote the Vote (PTV) program is quickly approaching! The deadline to submit contest submissions is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 13, 2024. This year’s theme, “This Land Is My Land,” encourages students to reflect on the unique qualities and charm of the state of Mississippi and why they are proud to call it "home."
Registration is free, easy, and open to all K-12 students and teachers in Mississippi! We hope you will join us as we educate our next generation of voters.
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ADVOCATES FOR FREEDOM EVENT
Honored to be with my friends at Advocates for Freedom for a first-class event! AFF is a fantastic place to start if you're looking to get involved in joining the fight against trafficking.
Additionally, I encourage you to visit our Mississippi Businesses Against Trafficking (MBAT) website for more resources. By joining the fight to #coMBAT trafficking in Mississippi, you can help identify and report trafficking to protect those around you!
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VISIT WITH SHERIFFS
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I always enjoy visiting with our fine Mississippians who serve as Sheriffs across our state. These individuals continually inspire me with their selfless dedication to their work. Proud to support them and appreciate their service to Mississippi!
I encourage you to keep our Sheriffs and all of our law enforcement officials in your prayers as they continue to protect our families and communities. Thanks to them, Mississippi is a safer place to live and raise a family!
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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Kecia Fleming
Kecia serves as an Admin Support Specialist in our Public Lands Division. She has been employed with the Secretary of State's Office since 2017.
Kecia is a dedicated worker who assists school districts in submitting the statutorily required information to the Secretary of State’s Office. Her attitude and demeanor are reassuring to all who contact our office for assistance.
We are extremely blessed to have Kecia on our team and appreciate her service to Mississippi!
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