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Section 3
SB 2096 IMPLEMENTATION
During the 2026 Legislative Session, our team worked with legislators to pass Senate Bill 2096 to adopt statewide cybersecurity standards and policies for local election officials who have access to the Statewide Elections Management System (SEMS). With the passage of this bill, we took another major step in strengthening the integrity of Mississippi elections.
In order to take effect on July 1, 2026, our team has worked diligently with the Department of Information Technology Services (ITS) to establish the requirements needed to reduce vulnerabilities caused by uneven county-level practices, strengthen voter registration and election data security against unauthorized access, data breaches, and other cyber threats.
As we continue to see a rise in cyber attacks and BOT traffic, even on our own systems, it is imperative we maintain a proactive approach. Cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated, frequent, and disruptive, posing serious risks to system performance, data security, and operational continuity. By investing in stronger security measures, enhancing detection capabilities, and remaining vigilant against emerging threats, we can better protect our infrastructure, safeguard sensitive information, and ensure the continued stability and integrity of Mississippi elections.
MORE NEWS
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Section 4
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EMPOWER PODCAST: Michael Watson: Faith, Family, and Public Service
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MONROE JOURNAL: Aberdeen Rotary Club hosts Mississippi Secretary of State
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MISSISSIPPI TODAY: Michael Watson announces run for lieutenant governor
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Section 5
CONGRATULATIONS TOWN OF STAR
Congratulations to Mississippi's 300th municipality! A big thanks to the Town of Star for the invitation to their May board meeting. I was excited to see so many “Starans” participating in the future of their newly incorporated town. Building strong and resilient communities together is crucial to the wellbeing of our Magnolia State.
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ST. ALPHONSUS CATHOLIC SCHOOL VISIT
I recently had a great visit with the students at St. Alphonsus Catholic School to share about the great things happening at our office. Love seeing our next generation so engaged in civic responsibility and leadership. The future is bright in Mississippi!
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FARM BUREAU RECEPTION
I was honored to help welcome my Farm Bureau friends to the Coast for their Southern Region Presidents and Administrators Conference. I'm grateful to these men and women for their leadership in our state. Keep up the good work! |
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OLE MISS/USM BASEBALL GAME
It was a beautiful evening in the Sip for a baseball game between Ole Miss and USM at Trustmark. I always enjoy a good in-state rivalry game, especially when it's to cheer on my fellow Mississippians.
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RANKIN COUNTY ROTARY CLUB VISIT
Thank you to the Rankin County Rotary Club for the fellowship and hospitality. I enjoyed highlighting some of the good work our team is doing across the state. We had some thoughtful discussions about how we can better serve our communities. Through engaged groups like our Rotarians, Mississippi is stronger.
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2026-2027 SOS STUDENT AMBASSADOR CLASS
We are thrilled to announce our 2026-2027 class of Secretary of State Student Ambassadors. As we enter the fifth year of this program, mentoring our young leaders remains one of my biggest priorities as Secretary of State. I'm truly grateful for a position which allows me to interact with Mississippi's best and brightest. Looking forward to kicking off the year with our new group this summer!
To view the full list of 2026-2027 Student Ambassadors and to learn more about the program, visit our full press release at the link below.
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Section 6
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Mark Branning
Mark serves as the Director in our Charities Division. He was first hired by the Secretary of State's Office in 2001.
Having served almost 20 years at the agency, Mark brings hard work and stability to the Charities Division. Through his strong commitment to his role, he represents the agency at seminars, career fairs, and trainings. Mark educates the public on the duties of an examiner, in addition to the importance of charities keeping good books and records.
We are extremely blessed to have Mark on our team and appreciate his service to Mississippi!
ABOUT THE CHARITIES DIVISION: The Charities Division is responsible for the registration and regulation of all charitable organizations and fund-raisers who solicit contributions in Mississippi. The Division is also responsible for the investigation of charity complaints and/or violations to the state’s charitable laws.
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