MS Secretary of State swears in as NASS president
BILOXI, Miss. (WXXV) -- The National Association of Secretaries of State wrapped up its annual conference at the Beau Rivage today, capping off the…
Michael Watson
New election resource for Mississippi residents
Secretary of State Michael Watson is launching a new election resource. Mississippi voters are able to access important election information and report issues via text using the new ‘textmygov’ resource.…
Secretary of State Michael Watson discusses municipal elections and tidelands bill
Gulfport, Miss. (WXXV)- Secretary of State Michael Watson visiting the coast to speak to the Rotary Club. Topics discussed include upcoming…
Speaking with Secretary of State Michael Watson on the first day of the Legislative Session
Today kicks off the state Legislative Session…
Secretary of State Watson discusses voting in the Magnolia State with WXXV
Organizing and preparing for Election Day is a massive undertaking for officials in Mississippi and the other 49 states. WXXV News 25 spoke to…
Mississippi prepares to tackle any voter fraud ahead of presidential election
Following the 2020 presidential election, many people raised concerns about the integrity of the election process. There was a surge in election legislation introduced after…
2024-2025 Student Ambassador Program Application Now Available
JACKSON, Miss – Secretary of State Michael Watson and the Mississippi Secretary of State's Office is seeking high school seniors with a passion for leadership and state government to apply for the agency's 2024-2025 Student Ambassador Program. The program aims…
Secretary of State presents tidelands check and pays tribute to past leadership
It was a big day for the Tidelands Trust Fund as the Secretary of State presented this year’s funds and paid tribute to past…
Watson addresses Gulf Coast Business Council about importance of free, fair elections
Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson was on the Coast this morning to talk about the importance of free and fair elections. Watson, who…
Catching up with Secretary of State Michael Watson
News 25’s Brooke Parker was able to catch up with Secretary of State Michael Watson about the latest in Jackson. 2023 has been a busy year for Secretary of State…
Secretary of State Michael Watson wraps up statewide tour
Secretary of State Michael Watson ended his 82-county tour today, making his last stop in Jackson County. Watson launched his 82 county tour in 2020 upon taking…
Secretary of State Michael Watson running for re-election
Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson has filed to run for re-election. Secretary Watson says he is not at peace leaving office while there is more to be…
Court dismisses lawsuit blocking construction of Veterans Avenue pier in Biloxi
A Harrison County court dismissed a lawsuit aimed at blocking the construction of a public pier in Biloxi, ruling that the city is within its right to build the pier without a lease from the Secretary of State. The Secretary…
Pier lawsuit in Biloxi rebuffed by court
A second court has rebuffed the position of Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson who had sued Biloxi and Harrison County over plans to construct a handicapped accessible public pier in West Biloxi. The pier, which would be more than…
Secretary Watson presents $11.2M Tidelands Check
On behalf of the Gulf Coast legislative delegation, Secretary of State Michael Watson presented the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources with a check for $11.2 million representing the Tidelands Trust…
MDMR receives Tidelands check; nearly 30 public access projects now funded
On behalf of the Gulf Coast legislative delegation, Secretary of State Michael Watson on Tuesday presented the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources with a check for $11,226,497, representing the Tidelands Trust Funds amounts collected during Fiscal Year 2021 for use…
Secretary of State and Coast Native Michael Watson Weighs in as Voters Head to Polls on Municipal Primary Election Day
Tuesday morning News 25 met up with Mississippi Secretary of State, and South Mississippi native, Michael Watson in Ocean Springs as he travels to different precincts across the Coast on this Municipal Primaries Election Day. Watson and his staff are…
Republican Michael Watson to work to change election system
Mississippi’s incoming Secretary of State Michael Watson says he will work to change a Jim Crow-era election system for statewide races. Mississippi’s 1890 constitution requires a statewide candidate to win a majority of both the popular vote and the 122…
Michael Watson has been elected Secretary of State
In Jackson County last night, Michael Watson and his supporters watched the results of the General Election come in as the polls closed and precincts throughout the state reported their numbers in the race for Secretary of State. Watson’s spirits…
Debate set to take Place at William Carey in Hattiesburg for Secretary of State Candidates
The November 5th general election is less than five weeks away, and if you're still undecided on who you will vote for in the secretary of state's race, a debate between the two candidates is scheduled for later today at…
Secretary of State Candidates Ready for Thursday Debate
Five weeks from today, voters throughout the state will head to the polls to cast their ballots in the November 5th general election, and once the final tally is in, there will be a new Secretary of State, since current…
Final countdown to debate between Secretary of State candidates
Two candidates running for state office are preparing to debate in Hattiesburg. Mississippi Secretary of State candidates Democrat Johnny Dupree and Republican Michael Watson are set to battle it out in their own debate, set for next Thursday at William…
Debate Organizers Share Details About Oct. 3 Secretary of State Candidates' Debate
The Secretary of State's office plays a crucial role in our state's elections, regulation of businesses, and administration of public lands, among other functions. Two South Mississippians -- one, Democrat Johnny Dupree, and the other, Republican Michael Watson -- are…
William Carey University Setting Stage for Secretary of State Candidates Forum
William Carey University in Hattiesburg is setting the stage for a Secretary of State Candidates Forum on October 3. With the general election coming up on November 5, Mississippi's two Secretary of State candidates, democrat Johnny Dupree of Hattiesburg and…