Mississippi Secretary of State
| Mississippi Secretary of State | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $90,000 |
| 2024 FY Budget: | $30,674,205 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 4 years |
| Authority: | Mississippi Constitution, Article VI, Section 133 |
| Selection Method: | Elected |
| Current Officeholder | |
Mississippi Secretary of State
Michael D. Watson Jr. | |
| Elections | |
| Next election: | November 2, 2027 |
| Last election: | November 7, 2023 |
| Other Mississippi Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Executive Director of Environmental Quality • Executive Director of Employment Security • Public Service Commission • Transportation Commission | |
The Secretary of State for Mississippi is one of the constitutional officers of the U.S. state of Mississippi. The secretary of state is popularly elected every four years, and re-election is not restricted by term limits. The officeholder serves as Chief Elections officer for Mississippi, and is the official "keeper of the Capitol."[1]
Mississippi has a Republican triplex. The Republican Party controls the offices of governor, secretary of state, and attorney general.
Current officeholder
The current officeholder is Republican Michael Watson. Watson was first elected on November 5, 2019, and sworn in on January 9, 2020.[2]
Authority
Article 6, Section 133 of the Mississippi Constitution establishes an office of Secretary of State:[3]
| There shall be a secretary of state, who shall be elected as herein provided. |
Qualifications
Article 5, Section 133 of the Mississippi Constitution goes on to outline the qualifications for this office:[3]
| ... He shall be at least twenty-five years of age, a citizen of the state five years next preceding the day of his election, and he shall continue in office during the term of four years... |
- at least 25 years old
- a resident of Mississippi for at least the five years before the day of their election
Elections
The office of Secretary of State is an elected position, with elections held every four years. Elections are held at the same time and for the same term as the governor.
Results
2023
General election
General election for Mississippi Secretary of State
Incumbent Michael D. Watson Jr. defeated Ty Pinkins in the general election for Mississippi Secretary of State on November 7, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Michael D. Watson Jr. (R) | 59.5 | 481,895 | |
| Ty Pinkins (D) | 40.5 | 328,067 | ||
| Total votes: 809,962 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Shuwaski Young (D)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Mississippi Secretary of State
Shuwaski Young advanced from the Democratic primary for Mississippi Secretary of State on August 8, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Shuwaski Young | 100.0 | 183,120 | |
| Total votes: 183,120 | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Mississippi Secretary of State
Incumbent Michael D. Watson Jr. advanced from the Republican primary for Mississippi Secretary of State on August 8, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Michael D. Watson Jr. | 100.0 | 351,774 | |
| Total votes: 351,774 | ||||
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2019
General election
General election for Mississippi Secretary of State
Michael D. Watson Jr. defeated Johnny DuPree in the general election for Mississippi Secretary of State on November 5, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Michael D. Watson Jr. (R) | 58.8 | 511,249 | |
| Johnny DuPree (D) | 41.2 | 357,806 | ||
| Total votes: 869,055 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Mississippi Secretary of State
Johnny DuPree defeated Maryra Hunt in the Democratic primary for Mississippi Secretary of State on August 6, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Johnny DuPree | 71.7 | 200,423 | |
| Maryra Hunt | 28.3 | 79,201 | ||
| Total votes: 279,624 | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Mississippi Secretary of State
Michael D. Watson Jr. defeated Sam Britton in the Republican primary for Mississippi Secretary of State on August 6, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Michael D. Watson Jr. | 52.8 | 187,054 | |
| Sam Britton | 47.2 | 167,440 | ||
| Total votes: 354,494 | ||||
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2015
There was a regularly scheduled election for secretary of state in 2015. Delbert Hosemann (R) was eligible for re-election. The primary election occurred on August 4, 2015, with the general election on November 3, 2015.
| Mississippi Secretary of State, 2015 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Charles E. Graham | 35.8% | 256,689 | |
| Republican |  Delbert Hosemann Incumbent |
61.3% | 440,048 | |
| Reform | Randy Walker | 3% | 21,260 | |
| Total Votes | 717,997 | |||
| Election results via Mississippi Secretary of State | ||||
Term limits
The office of secretary of state is not subject to term limits.
Full history
To view the electoral history dating back to 2003 for the office of Mississippi Secretary of State, click [show] to expand the section. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2011 On November 8, 2011, Delbert Hosemann won re-election to the office of Mississippi Secretary of State. He ran unopposed in the general election.
2007
2003
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Vacancies
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches the constitutional or statutory text that details the process of filling vacancies for a state executive office. That information for the Mississippi Secretary of State has not yet been added. After extensive research, we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Duties
Article 6, Section 133 of the Mississippi Constitution details the initial duties of the secretary of state:[3]
| ... and shall be keeper of the capitol; he shall keep a correct register of all official acts and proceedings of the governor; and shall, when required, lay the same, and all papers, minutes, and vouchers relative thereto, before the legislature, and he shall perform such other duties as may be required of him by law... |
The roles and responsibilities of the office of Secretary of State have evolved since the Constitution was written. Click [show] for more information about these expanded roles:
| Chief election officer | |
|---|---|
| |
| State land commissioner | |
|---|---|
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| Point of contact for businesses | |
|---|---|
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Divisions
As of February 2021, there were nine divisions in the Office of Mississippi's Secretary of State.[7]
Regulation and Enforcement Division
This division is "is tasked with regulating pre-need/perpetual care providers, enforcing scrap metal laws in the State, and overseeing administrative procedures for State government."[7]
Business Services Division
The business services division administers Mississippi's Corporation, Limited Liability Company, and Uniform Commercial Code laws, handles business-related filings, issues notary commissions, registers correspondence schools, and administers trademark, service mark, and nonprofit laws.[7]
Communications and Publications Division
This division "responds to press inquiries, handles all public communications, and receives and issues documents and publications of the State, including the Official and Statistical Register, known as the “Blue Book.” The division also oversees Promote the Vote and other educational outreach programs."[7]
Elections Division
The elections division administers election code and enforces campaign finance and lobbying requirements. The secretary also acts as chief elections officer for Mississippi.[7]
Policy and Research Division
The research and development arm of the agency, which aims to look for new ways to streamline services and develop legislation.[7]
Public Lands Division
This division administers and supervises all state land, including tax-forfeited property.[7]
Securities Division
This division "administers Mississippi’s Uniform Securities Laws and investigates securities fraud."[7]
Charities Division
This division "oversees charities and nonprofits in the State, in addition to investigating potential charities fraud."[7]
Executive Division
The executive division of the Office of the Mississippi Secretary of State "includes administrative assistants, legislative liaisons, special counsel, and a communications director" and handles "scheduling, media relations and communications, and serves as senior management of the agency."[7]
State budget
- See also: Mississippi state budget and finances
The office of the Secretary of State's budget for fiscal year 2024 was $30,674,205.[8]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
Under Article 5, Section 133 of the Mississippi Constitution, the secretary of state’s salary is determined by law.[3] Mississippi Code states that no public official can be compensated, directly or indirectly, greater than 150 percent of the salary of the governor.[9]
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $90,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2021
In 2021, the secretary of state received a salary of $90,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2020
In 2020, the secretary of state received a salary of $90,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2019
In 2019, the secretary of state received a salary of $90,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2018
In 2018, the secretary of state received a salary of $90,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2017
In 2017, the secretary of state received a salary of $90,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[15]
2016
In 2016, the secretary of state received a salary of $90,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[16]
2015
In 2015, the secretary of state received a salary of $90,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[17]
2014
In 2014, the secretary's salary was $90,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[18]
2013
In 2013, the secretary's salary was $90,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[19]
2012
In 2012, the secretary's salary was $90,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[20]
Historical officeholders
Since 1817, Mississippi has had 34 officeholders. One officeholder, H.C. Carter, served twice, non-consecutively.
Click "show" for a summary of officeholders.[21]
| # | Name | Took office | Left office | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Williams | 1817 | 1821 | |
| 2 | John A. Grimball | 1821 | 1833 | |
| 3 | D. C. Dickson | 1833 | 1835 | |
| 4 | Barry W. Benson | 1835 | 1837 | |
| 5 | David Dickson | 1837 | 1839 | |
| 6 | T. B. Woodward | 1839 | 1841 | |
| 7 | L. G. Galloway | 1841 | 1843 | |
| 8 | Wilson Hemingway | 1843 | 1847 | |
| 9 | Samuel Stamps | 1847 | 1850 | |
| 10 | Joseph Bell | 1850 | 1852 | |
| 11 | James A. Horne | 1852 | 1854 | |
| 12 | William H. Muse | 1854 | 1855 | |
| 13 | A. B. Dilworth | 1855 | 1860 | |
| 14 | B. R. Webb | 1860 | ||
| 15 | C. A. Brougher | 1860 | 1865 | |
| 16 | A. Warner | 1865 | 1869 | |
| 17 | Henry Musgrove | 1869 | ||
| 18 | James Lynch | 1869 | 1872 | |
| 19 | Hiram R. Revels | 1872 | 1873 | |
| 20 | H. C. Carter | 1873 | ||
| 21 | M. M. McLeod | 1873 | ||
| 22 | H. C. Carter | 1873 | 1874 | |
| 23 | James Hill | 1874 | 1878 | |
| 24 | Kinloch Falconer | 1878 | ||
| 25 | D. P. Porter | 1878 | ||
| 26 | Henry C. Myers | 1878 | 1886 | |
| 27 | George M. Govan | 1886 | 1896 | |
| 28 | John Logan Power | 1896 | 1901 | |
| 29 | Joseph Withers Power | 1901 | 1926 | |
| 30 | Walker Wood | 1926 | 1948 | |
| 31 | Heber Austin Ladner | 1948 | 1980 | |
| 32 | Edwin Lloyd (Ed) Pittman | 1980 | 1984 | |
| 33 | Dick Molpus | 1984 | 1996 | Democratic |
| 34 | Eric Clark | 1996 | 2008 | Democratic |
| 35 | C. Delbert Hosemann, Jr. | 2008 | 2020 | Republican |
| 36 | Michael Watson | 2020 | present | Republican |
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Mississippi Secretary State. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Contact information
Capitol Address:
Mississippi Secretary of State
401 Mississippi Street
Jackson, MS 39201
Phone: (601) 359-1350
See also
External links
- Office of the Mississippi Secretary of State
- Official State of Mississippi Website
- Secretary of State, "Qualifications and Fees for Mississippi Candidates"
Footnotes
- ↑ Mississippi Secretary of State, "About Us," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Mississippi Secretary of State, "About Michael," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Mississippi Secretary of State, "The Constitution of the State of Mississippi," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ '"Secretary of State, "Elections," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ '"Secretary of State, "Public Lands," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ '"Secretary of State, "Business Services," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 Mississippi Secretary of State, "About Us - Home," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ State of Mississippi, "Budget Bulletin Fiscal Year 2024," accessed December 6, 2023
- ↑ Mississippi Secretary of State, "Mississippi Law," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 22, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Table 4.11 Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Table 4.11 Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Mississippi Secretary of State, History of the MS Secretary of State," accessed February 1, 2021
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