JACKSON, Miss. – Secretary of State Michael Watson announces the 2024 Promote the Vote (PTV) program materials are now available through the Secretary of State's website.

This year's theme, "This Land is My Land," encourages students to reflect on the unique qualities and charm of Mississippi, and why they are proud to call it “home.”

"Instilling the significance of voting and civic education at an early age is extremely important. Through this year's PTV theme, we want all of Mississippi's youth to grow with enthusiasm and affinity for their state while imparting the value and purpose of participating in elections," said Secretary Michael Watson.

PTV is the Secretary of State's comprehensive K-12 voter education program open to all public, private, parochial, and home schools. This year's program consists of a mock election as well as art, essay, and poetry contests.

The PTV Mock Election is open to all students who are enrolled in a Mississippi school or program registered for Promote the Vote. Students will "vote" on the Mississippi congressional and Supreme Court races on October 15, 2024, or Mock Election Day.

The PTV art contest is available for Kindergarten through 12th grade students, and the PTV essay and poetry contests are available to students in grades 6th-12th.

All contest submissions will be due December 13, 2024, and winners and their teachers will be invited to attend an awards ceremony in Jackson in early 2024. Due to the generosity of the Mississippi Economic Council, cash prizes will be given to all winners.

Anyone wishing to participate in the PTV program must register online. Registration is free, easy, and only takes a few minutes to complete. Upon registering, a confirmation email with the 2024 materials will be delivered to the email provided.

If you have any questions or need assistance registering for the mock election or PTV contests, please contact our Communications & Publications Division at PTV@sos.ms.gov or 601-359-6383.

For more information about PTV, or to register to become a participating school or classroom, visit sos.ms.gov/PTV.