Secretary Michael Watson Update

Mississippi Secretary of State sent this bulletin at 03/03/2025 10:00 AM CST

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POLL WORKER RECOGNITION CEREMONY

It was my honor to pay tribute to some of our longest-serving poll workers at the Mississippi State Capitol. We recognized eight individuals across the state who have served over 50 years. Not only did these poll workers receive a certificate of appreciation acknowledging their longstanding years of public service, they were also recognized on the Senate floor with the presentation of Senate Resolution 57.

Far too many times our poll workers are overlooked; yet, these men and women are the true backbone of our state's elections. Thanks to their hard work, Mississippians are able to securely cast their ballots on election day. Their efforts are vital to the success of each election in Mississippi.

Ensuring our elections remain fair and secure is a responsibility best carried by all of us. If you are interested in fulfilling this civic duty at our polls, I encourage you to visit our Poll Worker portal on our website to learn more.

READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE

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STUDENT AMBASSADOR SPRING SUMMIT

We hosted the 2024-2025 SOS Student Ambassadors in Jackson for their spring summit. Our Ambassadors convened at the Old Capitol Museum for a day packed with panels with state agency executives and lobbyists, a Lunch & Learn with C-Spire, and a recognition in the House of Representatives gallery.

Investing in our students through this program is one of my favorite things we do since I've taken office. We are now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 program, and I hope you will share this application with your schools, classmates, and friends. It is an honor to mentor these young Mississippians and encourage them to achieve their goals!

APPLY NOW FOR THE 2025-2026 CLASS

ELECTIONS BREAKFAST WITH LEGISLATORS

Appreciate our legislators who recently joined us at the Capitol to talk all things election integrity. Another big thanks to ES&S for bringing their election equipment for our legislators to learn more about the newest election security measures implemented!

Our office is your trusted source for all election information. I encourage you to follow our #Elections101 campaign on our Facebook, X, and Instagram accounts. Additionally, stay up-to-date on election deadlines and reminders on our Y'all Vote website.

VISIT YALLVOTE.MS

REALTOR DAY AT THE CAPITOL

It was great to be back with the Mississippi Association of Realtors for their Capitol Day. I always enjoy visiting with these friends of mine and discussing how we can better serve our communities. These individuals are typically the first faces visitors see, and we are grateful for their hospitality and leadership in our state!

MS ROAD BUILDERS ASSOCIATION VISIT

I recently had the opportunity to visit with some of Mississippi's best and brightest from the MS Road Builders Association. These men and women are engaged and dedicated to serving Mississippians. Proud of them and their hard work to pave the way for the next generation!

MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE VISIT

A special thanks to Dr. Thomas and Mississippi College for inviting me to talk about Mississippi Businesses Against Trafficking (MBAT). Together, we can help equip each other with the tools and resources to protect our families and communities.

Every individual we educate and empower could be another life saved. I encourage you to visit our MBAT website to learn more about how you can join the fight to identify, report, and #coMBAT trafficking in Mississippi.

VISIT THE MBAT WEBSITE

PRENTISS COUNTY LINCOLN DINNER

Enjoyed visiting with the men and women of Prentiss County. Thank you to the Prentiss County Republican Women and Republican Executive Committee for hosting this fine evening of fellowship!

We had good conversations about the importance of elections and how we can keep encouraging Mississippians to head to the polls on Election Day. Our focus on the integrity of our election process was on full display in 2024. We look forward to another year of safe and secure elections in Mississippi!

INVESTMENT FRAUD ALERT

We continue to see an uptick in investment scams, especially through social media. Scammers are using these channels to lure investors into "pump-and-dump" schemes. Mississippians must exercise caution when encountering any suspicious messages or social media profiles.

I encourage you to utilize this educational article from Charles Schwab to familiarize yourself with common tactics and warning signs. Keeping ourselves informed allows us to help protect each other from these scams.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Upcoming Dates for the Municipal Primary Election

March 3 - Voter Registration Deadline for the Municipal Primary Election
March 29 - In-Person Absentee Voting Deadline for the Municipal Primary Election
April 1 -
- Municipal Primary Election Day
- Deadline for the postmark of mail-in absentee ballots

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Emily Ludwigsen

Emily serves as the Senior Attorney in our Securities Division. She has been employed with the Secretary of State's Office since 2023.

Emily's work ethic and dedication to helping Mississippians has proven her a valuable asset to our agency. More importantly, she is an outstanding worker with a positive attitude and cheerful demeanor.

We are extremely blessed to have Emily on our team and appreciate her service to Mississippi!

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES