JACKSON – Secretary of State Michael Watson honored the winners of the 2020 Promote the Vote (PTV) program during an awards ceremony at Two Mississippi Museums Tuesday. PTV is the Secretary of State's Office's comprehensive K-12 voter education program consisting of a statewide mock election, an essay contest, and an art contest.

The 2020 theme, “The Future of My Vote,” encouraged students to think outside of the [ballot] box and imagine what our state's overall election process might look like in the year 2060. After a tough judging process, 24 students from across the state were selected as 2020 Promote the Vote Program winners. 

Click here to view the list of winners.

Click here to watch the PTV Awards Ceremony.

"Educating our future leaders and voters about the election process here in Mississippi and encouraging them to engage are core functions of our office," said Secretary Watson. "I love seeing and hearing their ideas expressed through thought-provoking artwork and essays. We want to make sure they know we care about them voting and are here to protect Mississippi’s elections system." 

Our office partnered with the Education arm of Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) to encourage school, teacher, and student participation. In addition to the art and essay contests, MPB organized a social media contest as a way to keep students engaged during an unprecedented school year. 

“Mississippi Public Broadcasting is proud to once again partner with our friends at the Secretary of State’s Office on this essential program,” said Ronnie Agnew, MPB Executive Director. “This initiative is vital toward helping students understand the importance of voting and the elections process. Through this program, seeds have been planted that exercising the right to vote is a civic duty. It is my belief that participation in this initiative will instill in these students that voters matter.”

The theme and the registration start date for the 2021 Promote the Vote program will be announced on our website and social media accounts before the end of the 2020-2021 school year. We encourage participation by public, private, charter, and parochial schools as well as home school associations.
 

For specific questions regarding the Promote the Vote program, please contact our Communications & Publications Division at ptv@sos.ms.gov or 601-359-6344.