HISTORY OF THE MS SECRETARY OF STATE

The establishment of Office of the Secretary of State was initially formed in the original Mississippi Constitution of 1817, Article IV, Section 14, which states:

“A Secretary of State shall be appointed, who shall continue in office during the term of two years. He shall keep a fair register of all the official acts and proceedings of the Governor, and shall, when required, lay the same, and all papers, minutes, and vouchers relative thereto, before the General Assembly, and shall perform such other duties as may be required by law.”

The duties and description of Office of the Secretary of State were later modified in the Mississippi Constitution of 1890, Article V, Section 133, which states:

“There shall be a Secretary of State, who shall be elected as herein provided. He shall be at least twenty-five years of age, a citizen of the state five years preceding the day of his election, and he shall continue in office during the term of four years, 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. He shall receive such compensation as shall be prescribed.”

On Dec. 10, 1817, Mississippi joined the Union and became the 20th state. Since that time, Mississippi has had thirty-six Secretaries of State. Secretary of State Michael Watson is only the ninth Secretary of State since 1900.

The following is a list of Secretaries of State from 1817-2008: