[3] The Mississippi Legislature initially elected the holders of the office,[4] with the first secretary of state, Daniel Williams, being chosen on December 11, 1817.

[5] The 1832 constitution stipulated that the secretary was to be popularly elected to serve a two-year term.

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.

[12] The constitution designates the secretary as the "Keeper of the Capitol"[1][13] and stipulates that they receive and maintain all election results.

[17] Additional offices are maintained at the Capital Towers and Ladner Building in Jackson,[18][19][20] and in Biloxi, Southaven, and Tupelo.