JACKSON, Miss. – Secretary of State Michael Watson announces the 2023 Promote the Vote (PTV) program materials are now available on the Secretary of State's website. 

This year’s theme “Voting! The Power to Change the Future!” encourages students to realize the impact voting has for today and generations to come. 

“Educating young Mississippians on the importance of civic duty and responsibility through PTV ensures all have an opportunity to engage in the voting process,” said Secretary Michael Watson. "More importantly, we appreciate the commitment of our teachers who incorporate this curriculum to promote and instill one of our most fundamental rights. 

PTV is the Secretary of State’s comprehensive K-12 voter education program. This year's program consists of a mock election and art, video production, 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" for statewide offices on Monday, October 16, 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 any student in grades 6th-12th.

Mississippi Public Broadcasting’s (MPB) Education Department is once again partnering with the Secretary of State's Office for the PTV program. MPB is hosting a video production contest for grades 6th-12th to align with the 2023 theme. 

All contest winners and their teachers will be invited to attend an awards ceremony in Jackson in early 2024.

PTV registration is free, easy, and only takes a few minutes to complete. All contest submissions will be due December 15, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.

Anyone wishing to participate in the PTV program must register online. If you have any questions or need assistance registering for the mock election or PTV contests, please contact our External Affairs Division at PTV@sos.ms.gov or 601-359-4454.

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