♪♪ >> Ted: NEXT, IT'S A DEBATE AND WE'LL HEAR FROM THE CANDIDATES FOR ARIZONA SECRETARY OF STATE AND IT'S A CLEAN ELECTION'S DEBATE NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON.

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THE SPECIAL ELECTION 2022 EDITION OF ARIZONA HORIZON.

IT'S A DEBATE FOR CANDIDATES FOR ARIZONA SECRETARY OF STATE AND TONIGHT'S DEBATE IS SPONSORED BY ARIZONA CLEAN ELECTION'S, YOUR SOURCE FOR ELECTION INFORMATION.

>> I'M RICHARD RELLIS AND TONIGHT'S DEBATE IS NOT A FORMAL EXERCISE BUT AN OPEN EXCHANGE OF IDEAS FOR GIVE AND TAKE.

DIALOGUE IS ENCOURAGED.

>> Ted: JOINING US NOW IS REPUBLICAN MARK FINCHEM AND DEMOCRAT ADRIAN FONTES A FORMER MARICOPA COUNTY RECORDER.

CANDIDATES WILL GIVE OPENING ATTEMPTS INSTATEMENTS AND CLOSING STATEMENTS.

WE START WITH MARK FINCHEM.

>> I'M RUNNING FOR SECRETARY OF STATE TO RESTORE HONOR, TO RESTORE INTEGRITY, TO RESTORE SECURITY TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.

ALL I'M ASKING IS ONE THING, THAT WHETHER YOU'RE A CANDIDATE, A PARTY OFFICIAL, AN ELECTION'S OFFICIAL OR A SUPPORTER, JUST FOLLOW THE LAW.

IT'S NOT UP TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO TRY TO MAKE LAW.

IT'S UP TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO ENFORCE THE LAW THAT HAS BEEN LAID DOWN BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

>> Ted: THANK YOU.

>> NOW TO ADRIAN FONTES.

>> THANK YOU.

I'M ADRIAN FONTES AND THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IF THE LAST SIX YEARS HAVE TAUGHT US ANYTHING, IT'S THAT DEMOCRACY IS A DECISION.

TONIGHT WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT DECISION, A DECISION BETWEEN BUILDING COMMUNITY OR CONSPIRACIES THAT LEAD TO CORRUPTION AND CHAOS, A DECISION BETWEEN LAWS AND LIES.

DEMOCRACY IS A DECISION BETWEEN VOTING AND VIOLENCE.

I'M ADRIAN FONTES.

I'M A UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS VETERAN.

I'M A FATHER TO THREE YOUNG WOMEN AND THEY DESERVE THE FREEDOM TO MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICES AND THEIR OWN DECISIONS.

TONIGHT WE'LL TALK ABOUT THEIR CHOICES AND DECISIONS ON HOW THEY CAN VOTE AND HOW OUR DEMOCRACY CAN SURVIVE.

THANK YOU.

>> Ted: GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU.

MARKET, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

YOU'VE BEEN CRITICAL OF THE 2020 ELECTION RESULTS.

WOULD YOU AS SECRETARY OF STATE HAVE SIGNED OFF ON THOSE RESULTS?

>> THERE ARE TOO MANY HYPOTHETICALS TO ANSWER THAT BECAUSE WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WE KNEW AFTER THE ELECTION UNTIL AFTER THE CERTIFICATION THE CANVAS OCCURRED.

KNOWING WHAT WE KNOW TODAY, THERE ARE CERTAIN COUNTIES THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REDEEMABLE COMPROMISED.

MARICOPA WAS ONE AND YUMA WAS ONE AND SO MANY VOTES OUTSIDE OF THE LAW THAT IT BEGS THE QUESTION, WHAT DO WE DO WITH AN ELECTION WHERE WE HAVE VOTES THAT ARE IN THE STREAM BUT SHOULD NOT BE COUNTED?

IF YOU CAN'T FIND THE INDIVIDUAL WHO IS ENGAGED IN THAT BEHAVIOR, PERHAPS THAT COUNTY HAS HAD A DEFECTIVE ELECTION?

>> Ted: HOW WERE THESE VOTES IRREDEEMABLE AND OUTSIDE OF THE LAW?

>> IN YUMA, BALLOT HARVESTING AND VOTES.

WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE INDICTED FOR THE VERY THING THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW, WHO PLED GUILTY AND FRANKLY, THOUGH VOTES ALTERED THE OUTCOME OF YUMA COUNTY.

SO HOW DID THEY GET COUNTED AND HOW DID THE PEOPLE DISENFRANCHISED THROUGH NULLIFICATION AND HOW DID WE HELP THEM?

>> Ted: WAS THAT ENOUGH, WHAT HE JUST MENTIONED, AS FAR AS YUMA COUNTY AND MARICOPA, IS THAT ENOUGH TO HAVE NOT CERTIFIED THE ELECTION?

>> I THINK WHAT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT HERE IS THE COMMON VALUE THAT WE SHARE AND THAT IS THAT WE HAVE TO FAITH IN OUR DEMOCRACY.

WHEN WE HAVE CONSPIRACY THEORIES AND LIES LIKE THE ONE HE HAS SHARED, BASED IN NO EVIDENCE, WE REROAD THE FAITH IN EACH OTHER AS CITIZENS.

I WAS TALKING TO SOMEONE LAST NIGHT AND SHE'S A DEMOCRAT AND SAID, I JUST WANT TO BE FRIEND WITH MY REPUBLICAN NEIGHBORS AGAIN.

THE KIND OF DIVISIVENESS NOT BASED IN FACT, NOT BASED IN EVIDENCE THAT WE'VE SEEN TRUMPED BY Mr. FINCHEM IS DANGEROUS FOR AMERICA AND WE HAVE TO CALL IT WHAT IT IS.

>> I TAKE EXCEPTION WHAT TO HE'S JUST SAID.

>> Ted: EXPLAIN.

>> HE'S RUNNING OVER THE EVIDENCE PRESENTED.

THE EVIDENCE THAT IS VISITED.

YOU CAN'T GO BACK AND RELITIGATE SOMETHING RECORDED ON VIDEO.

>> Ted: WHAT HAS BEEN RECORDED ON VIDEO?

>> YOU HAVE PEOPLE TAKING BALLOTS, HARVESTING BALLOTS, STUFFING THEM INTO BALLOT COLLECTION BOXES.

>> THE 2000 MULE'S MOVIE?

>> THAT IS ONE EXAMPLE AND THERE'S A PLETHORA OF EVIDENCE OPENED AND YOU CAN LOOK AT THREE BYTES OF INFORMATION THAT SPEAKS.

IF IT WERE NOT SO, HOW WOULD WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS INDICTED, PLED GUILTY AND TURNING ON THE VERY PEOPLE WHO ENGAGED IN THE SAME BEHAVIOR?

THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS FICTION.

THAT IS FACT AND IN COURT.

>> Ted: A LOT OF IT IS NOT IN COURT AND NOT ADMISSIBLE EVIDENCE.

>> THAT IS NOT TRUE, SIR.

IT'S BEEN IN COURT AND THE COURT RECORD IN THE SUPERIOR COURT.

YOU'RE TRYING TO TELL ME THAT'S NOT ADMISSIBLE.

>> Ted: HOW MANY 2000 MULE ACE CLAIMS HAVE MADE IT TO COURT?

>> YOU HAVE THREE PEOPLE WHO HAVE PLED GUILTY TO THEIR INDICTMENTS AND THAT'S AT LEAST -- YOU'RE TRYING TO SAY THERE'S NO EVIDENCE, REALLY?

>> Ted: I'M TRYING TO SEE IF THE EVIDENCE IS ENOUGH TO OVERTURN AN ELECTION?

>> I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT JENNIFEROVERTURNING AN ELECTION AND ONE COUNTY IS COMPROMISED AND IF THAT ALLERS THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION, THAT'S A DIFFERENT STORY.

IF AN ELECTION IS MISMANAGED, WHAT DO THE PEOPLE HAVE FOR THAT MISMANAGEMENT AND MALFEASANCE?

>> IT'S THE RULE OF LAW AND THE CONSTITUTION.

THERE ARE PROCESS AND PROCEDURES AND COURT FILINGS THAT CAN BE MADE AND DO OFTEN GET MADE IN ARIZONA WHEN THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE OUTCOMES OF RACES.

AND THOSE CHALLENGES HAPPENED IN COURT IF THEY WERE APPROPRIATE AT THE TIME.

AND Mr. FINCHEM MENTIONED THE CERTIFICATION OF MARICOPA AND OTHER 14 COUNTIES, AS WELL, AND WENT THROUGH THE BOARDS OF SUPERVISORS AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND ULTIMATELY TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

WE NOW HAVE AN ENTIRE SET OF FICTION THAT HAS SOMEHOW MANAGED TO MAKE A LOT OF MONEY FOR SOME PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THE REGULAR FORMS THAT WE EXPECT.

THIS IS A CHAOTIC WAY OF READDRESSING A POLITICAL LOSS, IF YOU WILL.

AND IN AMERICA, THE BUSINESS OF AMERICA IS BUSINESS.

WE NEED STABILITY AND PREDICTABILITY IN OUR ELECTED OFFICES AND ELECTED OFFICIALS.

WE CAN'T HAVE WILD-EYED S PECTA PECTACISM.

THEY WENT THROUGH AND TIME TO MOVE AWAY FROM 2020.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THAT.

>> SEPTEMBER 13th, 2020, YOUR PAPER, ADRIAN FONTES HAD DRAMATICALLY BAD MOMENTS AND, IN FACT, HE WAS RECKLESSLY IRRESPONSIBLE AND DESERVING THE BOOT AND HE WAS KICKED OUT OF OFFICE AND WE HAVE LAURIE ROBERTS SAID FONTES IS MAKING UP ELECTION LAW AS HE GOES ALONG.

THIS IS ABOUT THE 2020 ELECTION.

>> THIS IS ABOUT SENDING BALLOTS OUT TO EVERY REGISTERED VOTER.

>> IT'S MORE THAN THAT.

ALLOW ME TO FINISH, PLEASE.

>> Ted: LET HIM FINISH.

>> LAURIE ROBERTS SAID HE'S MAKING UP ELECTION AND THIS WON'T END WELL.

A FRIGHTENING THOUGHT THAT THE GUY IN CHARGE OF ELECTIONS CAN DO AS HE PLEASES AS LONG THERE'S NO PROHIBITION IN THE LAW.

NOW HE'S JUST SAID, WE HAVE PLENTY OF LAWS AND NEED TO BUILD CONFIDENCE.

I COULD NOT AGREE MORE, WE NEED TO BUILD CONFIDENCE, BUT WE NEED A SENIOR ELECTION'S DIRECTOR WHO WILL JUST FOLLOW THE LAW INSTEAD OF MAKING IT UP AS HE GOES AND THAT'S WHAT WE'VE HAD HERE.

>> I WOULD ASK Mr. FINCHEM TO REVISE THAT BASED ON HIS PRESENCE THAT THE VIOLATE INSURRECTION ON JANUARY 6th, RESULTING IN THE DEATHS OF POLICE OFFICERS.

THE MOB THAT DIDN'T LIKE THE OUTCOME AND INSTEAD OF GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS AND PROCEDURE THAT HE WOULD NORMALLY SAY WOULD APPLY.

WHAT HE DID WAS ENGAGE IN A VIOLENT INSURRECTION -- >> I WILL CHALLENGE -- >> Ted: LET HIM FINISH, PLEASE.

THERE HE'S A PART OF AN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS CALLED FORMAL THE VIOLENT OVERTHROW OF THE GOVERNMENT.

HE HAS CALLED FOR A CIVIL WAR IN THIS COUNTRY.

THE STOCK-PILING OF AMMUNITION FOR THIS VERY WAR.

IT IS AN UNHINGED AND VIOLENT ASPECT OF Mr. FINCHEM HE WOULD RATHER NOT DISCUSS GOING THROUGH TECHNICAL DIFFERENCES.

THE POINT OF THIS, AT THE OUTSET OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC, WHEN ONLY DEMOCRATS WERE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE AND PEOPLE WERE AFRAID TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES BECAUSE THEY MIGHT DIE, MY OPPORTUNITY TO SEND FOLKS BALLOTS WAS THE ONE ON THE SIDE OF THE VOTERS, NOT ON THE SIDE OF SOME MADE-UP PROHIBITION WHICH DID NOT EXIST AT THE TIME.

>> Mr. FONTES, YOU ENGAGED IN TOTAL FICTION.

>> WHAT DID YOU EXPECT TO HAPPEN ON JANUARY 6th?

>> HE EP GAUGED ENGAGED IN TOTAL FICTION.

II'M NOT THE ONE WITH THE CRIMINAL RECORD.

HE IS.

I'VE INVESTIGATED CRIMES ALL MY LIFE.

I HAVE PREVENTED FRAUD MOST OF MY LIFE.

SO FOR HIM TO ASSERT THAT I WAS PART OF A CRIMINAL UPRISING IS ABSURD AND, FRANKLY, A LIE.

>> WHAT DID YOU EXPECT TO HAPPEN ON JANUARY 6th?

YOU HAD A BOOK OF EVIDENCE?

>> A BOOK OF EVIDENCE.

IT WAS INFORMATION GATHERED DURING NOVEMBER 30th, THE TEN AND A HALF HOUR HEARING WE HAD, AD HOC ON PUBLIC INTEGRITY OF THE ELECTION AND TURNED OVER AS PROBABLE CAUSE TO THE SENATE AND 14 DAYS LATER, THEY ISSUED SUBPOENAS.

THOSE VERY SUBPOENAS, LOOKING AT SOME OF THE EVIDENCE GATHERED.

OVER 140,000 BALLOT IMAGES DON'T HAVE AN AUDIT HEAD STAMP.

HOW DID THAT HAPPEN IF DOMINION EQUIPMENT IS SUPPOSED TO BE UNIFORM IN THE APPLICATION OF THE SCANNING AND TABULATION AND BALLOTS.

>> Ted: HOW DOES IT HAPPEN IF THEY'VE DONE AUDITS BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER AND THEY FIND NO EVIDENCE OF WRONG-DOING AND NO EVIDENCE OF WIDE WIDE-SPREAD FRAUD?

HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?

>> WE HAVE THE EVIDENCE.

THE MEDIA REFUSES TO LOOK AT IT.

ALLOW ME TO FINISH.

WE HAVE 140,000 BALLOT IMAGED OUT OF MARICOPA COUNTY ALLEGEDLY SCANNED BY DOMINION EQUIPMENT WITH NO AUDIT HEAD STAMP.

HOW DID THAT HAPPEN.

>> Ted: IS IS THAT IS CRIMINAL ACTIVITY?

>> I'VE SPENT EIGHT YEAR IN THE LEGISLATURE AND ELECTED TO DO ONE THING, ASK QUESTIONS ON BEHALF OF MY CONSTITUENTS.

I HAVE AN OPEN QUESTION THAT CANNOT BE ANSWERED.

WE'VE GONE TO COURT AND THE ALLEGATION IS, WELL THE CASE WAS THROWN OUT OF COURT.

NO, THE CASE WAS NOT.

WE'RE NOW IN FRONT OF THE NINTH CIRCUIT BECAUSE THE STANDING QUESTION WAS MISAAPPLIED.

WE HAVE PRESENTED THE EVIDENCE AND THE COURT ACCEPTED THE EVIDENCE.

TO MAKE THE ANSWER ALLEGATION THERE'S NO EVIDENCE IS FALSE.

>> WAS THE AUGUST MIDTERM ELECTION FAIR?

MY IMPROPRIETIES YOU SAW?

>> I HAVE NO IDEA.

IT IS WHAT IT IS.

>> WHAT CHANGED?

>> WHAT CHANGED?

>> YES.

>> THE CANDIDATES.

I HAVE TO IDEA.

WE'VE NOT DUG INTO -- WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE PROCESSING OF BALLOTS, I THINK THAT THERE HAS BEEN CERTAINLY A HEIGHTENED SENSE OF SCRUTINY.

THE MACHINES ARE THE SAME.

A SIMILAR ALGORITHM.

>> I THINK WHAT WE HEARD IS THE MOST TELLING PIECE OF INFORMATION.

WHEN YOU SAID WHAT CHANGED, HE SAID THE CANDIDATED, NOT THE RULES BUT CANDIDATES.

WE KNOW FROM WHAT HE SAID IN "TIME" MAGAZINE, HE ASSERTS THE ONLY REASON HE BELIEVES DONALD TRUMP WON 20 IS BECAUSE HE DOESN'T KNOW ANYBODY WHO VOTED FOR JOE BIDEN.

ALL OF WHAT MARK FINCHEM IS TALKING ABOUT IS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED AND THAT KIND OF UNPREDICTABILITY AND ARIZONA AND THE SOUND GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE VESTED IN THE INTEREST OF MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN HAVE PREDICTABILITY OF THESE THINGS FOR THE PURPOSE OF BUSINESSES AND LAW AND MEDICINE, ALL OF THE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE THEIR BUDGETING CYCLES AND IT'S RUN BY A CONSTANT ELECTION CYCLE.

ELECTIONS ARE THE GOLDEN THREAD THAT RUN THROUGH THE FABRIC OF OUR SOCIETY.

IF YOU PULL THAT OUT WITH THIS CHAOTIC WAY OF LOOKING AT THIS, THIS INTEGRATES AND WE CAN'T AFFORD THAT UNPREDICTABILITY.

DOING IT RIGHT IS WHAT WE DID.

IT'S NOT OUR FAULT THAT HE CAN'T ACCEPT ONE LOSS.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO PREDICTABILITY.

AUGUST PRIMARY IS 2018 AND OVER 60 -- AS A MATTER OF FACT, 63 PRECINCTS EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT ISSUES AND WERE NOT ABLE TO OPEN ON TIME.

IN FACT, PEOPLE STOOD IN LINE FOR HOURS AND YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT PREDICTABILITY, WE'RE LOOKING AT AN INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS GIVEN THE BOOT.

HE WAS FIRED BY THE TAXPAYERS, FIRED BY THE VOTERS BECAUSE OF INCOMPETENCE, MISFREEZANCE, MAL-FEANCE AND THE ABILITY TO HOLD AN ELECTION IN A PREDICTABLE MANNER.

THE POLLS SHOULD BE OPEN AND HAVE INK AND POLL WORKERS PREPARED TO DO THEIR JOB.

YET, Mr. FONTES WAS UNABLE TO DO THAT IN A COUNTY ELECTION.

HOW DOES THAT MANIFEST IN A STATE-WIDE SUPERVISORY ROLE?

WE HAVE 15 COUNTIES AND IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE ONE, HOW WILL YOU HANDLE 15.

>> TO YOUR LAWSUIT, WHICH FEDERAL JUDGE HAS SAID, IT SHOULD BE A STATE ISSUE, NOT NECESSARILY A FEDERAL ISSUE.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE ISSUES, WHAT ROLE DO YOU SEE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAVING?

YOU'RE RUNNING FOR A JOB TO WRITE A PROCEDURAL MANUAL FOR HOW ELECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED AND WHAT ROLE DOES A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAVE IN ARIZONA'S ELECTIONS?

>> I THINK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO BUTT OUT OF STATE'S RIGHTS.

IT'S THE LEGISLATURE WHO NAMES THE TIME, PLACE AND MANNER, NOT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

IN FACT, IT'S INTERESTING THAT HR1 -- WE HEAR FROM THE DEMOCRATS, QUITE FRANKLY, THAT EVERYTHING WAS PERFECT, EVERYTHING WAS FINE.

YET, THEY WANT TO RUN HR1 THROUGH CONGRESS AND WHEN THAT FAILS, BECAUSE DEMOCRATS WOULDN'T VOTE FOR IT, THEN THEY TRY TO BRING IT INTO ARIZONA AND FORCE IT THROUGH AS A CITIZEN'S INITIATIVE.

>> I THINK ARTICLE 1, SECTION 4 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WOULD DISAGREE WITH MARK FINCHEM'S ASSERTION OF WHO IS CHARGED WITH TIME, PLACE P AND MANNER.

CONGRESS PLAYS A ROLE AND THAT'S THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR YOUR INFORMATION, SIR.

BUT THE REALITY HERE IS THIS, THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE IS FAR MORE THAN JUST REHASHING OLD ISSUES.

IT'S ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT EVERY ARIZONA VOTER, FOR EXAMPLE, HAS THE CHOICE OF HOW THEY WANT TO VOTE.

PINCHMARK FINCHEM WANTS TO STRIP THEM TO VOTE BY MAIL AND THIS IS NOT JUST AN HONORED TRADITION AND CREATED BY HI HIS PARTY DECADES AGO AND IT'S FAR BETTERRER TO STAND IN LINES.

HE WANTS TO TAKE FREEDOMS AWAY.

HE WANTS TO TAKE AWAY OUR CHOICE FOR WHO IS OUR U.S.

SENATOR, INTRODUCING A WILL TAKE THE SELECTION AWAY FROM THE PEOPLE AND INTO THE HANDS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

HE GOT ON A BILL FOR PRESIDENT MARK FINCHEM FOR ALL HIS BLUSTER DOESN'T WANT YOU TO VOTE FOR THESE OFFICES OR YOU TO VOTE FOR ANYTHING OR IN ANY WAY FOR WHAT HE PRESCRIBES.

THAT'S DANGEROUS.

>> THAT'S AN INTERESTING PERSPECTIVE.

Mr. FONTES DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THE SEPARATION OF POWERS.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE DOES NOTHING FOR POLICY.

THAT IS UP TO THE LEGISLATURE.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE DOESN'T ELIMINATE PEOPLE'S ABILITY TO VOTE.

THAT'S UP TO THE LEGISLATURE.

IF THEY WANT TO ALTER THE LAW -- THE JOB OF THE EXECUTIVE -- >> WHICH YOU'VE CALLED FOR THAT.

>> LET ME FINISH, SIR.

>> ARE WE NOT GOING TO HAVE A SEPARATED DEBATE HERE.

THIS IS THE MAN WHO SUPPORTS NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE AND RANKED CHOICE VOTING AND PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO DO AN ASSAULT ON THE STATE CAPITOL AT THE VERY TIME THAT WE'RE TRYING TO PASS A BUDGET.

>> DO YOU OR DO YOU NOT WANT TO KILL BY MAIL VOTING?

>> Ted: HOLD ON, THE QUESTION IS MAIL-IN VOTING, DO YOU WANT TO GET RID OF MAIL-IN VOTING?

>> IT DOESN'T MATTER.

>> Ted: IS IT A GOOD THING FOR ARIZONA?

>> MY MINDSET DOESN'T MATTER IN THIS REGARD.

>> ANSWER THE QUESTION.

>> IT'S NOT UP TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO WRITE LAW AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THE CURRENT SECRETARY OF STATE AND Mr. Mr. FONTES HAS TRIED TO DO.

>> Ted: DO YOU WANT MAIL-IN VOTING?

>> I DON'T CARE FOR MAIL-IN VOTING.

>> HE WANTED IT ELIMINATED IN ARIZONA.

>> TO THAT POINT, SIR -- >> IF YOU DON'T WANT ME INTERRUPTING YOU, DON'T INTERRUPT YOU.

>> HE WANTS YOU TO VOTE AFTER STANDING IN LINE ONLY.

WHAT IF YOU'RE A DISABLED VETERAN OR A REMOTE COMMUNITY, THIS IS THE CHOICE THAT YOU PRESENT.

>> THIS IS A FALSE CHOICE.

I SUPPORT ABSENTEE VOTES.

IN FACT, ONE OF THE BEST ABSENT ABSENTEE PROGRAMS IS TEN TEN.

TENNESSEE.

BY THE WAY, YOU WERE TOLD BY THE COURT THAT WAS ILLEGAL AND YOU COULDN'T DO IT.

>> THAT'S NOT WHAT THE COURT SAID.

>> THE FACT IS, I SUPPORT ABSENTEE BALLOT VOTING.

I DO NOT SUPPORT THE IDEA OF SENDING BALLOTS WHO HAVE NOT REQUESTED -- TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT REQUESTED THEM.

>> THAT'S A DIFFERENT POSITION.

>> Ted: QUICKLY, MARK, BECAUSE WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME, DO YOU THINK ARIZONA VOTERS WANT THEIR CHIEF ELECTION'S OFFICER AT A RIOT AT THE U.S. CAPITOL TO OVERTURN AN ELECTION?

IS THAT WHAT YOU THINK ARIZONA RESIDENTS AND CITIZENS WANT?

>> THE LAST TIME I CHECKED AT A PLACE WHEN SOMETHING IS HAPPENING IS NOT ILLEGAL.

I'VE BEEN TREATED AS A WITNESS, NOT AS A SUSPECT.

NOBODY IS TALKING ABOUT ASELA BLANC OR THE FACT I'M A HIGH-LONG MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL FOP, AN ESTABLISHING MEMBER OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL SHERIFF'S AND POLICE OFFICER'S ASSOCIATION.

THE FASTBALL >> THE FACT THE.

THE FACT I WAS IN WASHINGTON -- >> Ted: WHAT WERE YOU THERE FOR?

>> THERE TO DELIVER AN EVIDENCE BOOK TO TWO CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS OF MY CONSTITUTIONALLY ELECTED CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS SO THAT THEY HAD THE INFORMATION THAT THEY NEEDED TO HAVE IN THE WELL OF THE SENATE WHEN THEY WENT TO ARGUE FOR A QUESTION IN CONTROVERSY.

>> ONE OF THE ROLES OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE BEYOND ELECTIONS IS ARCHIVES.

HOW IMPORTANT DO YOU SEE HOLDING TOGETHER THE STATE'S ARCHIVES AND RELATED, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE FEUD TRUMP HAS WITH THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES?

>> I'M GLAD YOU'VE ASKED THAT QUESTION BECAUSE UNDER 52CFRC01, WE ARE REQUIRED TO HOLD THEM FOR 52 MONTHS AND EVERYBODY THINKS THAT'S THE LIMIT THAT WE HOLD THOSE RECORDS.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THOSE HELD FOR TEN YEARS BECAUSE AS WE LOOK AT INSTITUTIONS LIKE ASU, I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR US TO LOOK AT THE ELECTION'S PROCESS.

CAN WE ESTABLISH WHETHER OR NOT -- AND SOMETIMES THIS COMES UP LONG AFTER THE FACT, WHY GET RID OF THIS TO BUILD A MORE SECURE PROCESS.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE ARCHIVE'S, AS WELL.

MY FAMILY HISTORY IN THE SOUTHWESTERN DESERT GOES BACK INTO THE 1690'S BECAUSE OF THE GREAT WORK DONE BY THE CHURCH OF JESUS SITE OF LATTER DAY SAINTS TO HELP US DISCOVER THE OLD BAPTISM RECORDS FROM TOWNS.

AND THIS LEGACY THAT WE HAVE IN ARIZONA THAT SHOULD BE MAINTAINED IS IN JEOPARDY BECAUSE OF HOW THEY'RE BEING KEPT.

WE NEED MORE RESOURCES AND WE NEED SOMEONE WHO APPRECIATES THE HISTORY AND MAJESTY.

I HAVE THAT LEGACY HAVING BEEN HERE AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE NOT ONLY HAVE THAT BUT ALSO -- THIS IS THE SUCCESSOR TO THE GOVERNORSHIP.

WE HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE FOLKS WHO HAVE TO BE THE GOVERNOR.

>> Ted: IT'S TIME NOW FOR CLOSING STATEMENTS AND IN REVERSE ORDER, WE START WITH ADRIAN FONTES.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

DEMOCRACY IS A DECISION AND AS YOU'VE SEEN, THAT DECISION COULD BE NO MORE CLEAR.

YOU CAN DECIDE BETWEEN COMMUNITY BUILDING AND STABILITY OR CONSPIRACY THEORIES AND CAN TANK RUSSNESS.

IT'S A DECISION BETWEEN VOTES FOR EVERYONE WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR VIOLENCE AND ATTENDANCE AT RIOTS.

IT IS A DECISION BETWEEN THE LAW AS IT ACTUALLY OUGHT TO APPLY AND REALLY IS OR LIES, THINGS THAT ARE MADE UP.

I'M AN ARIZONA NATIVE, PROUD TO HAVE BEEN HERE ALL MY LIFE AND A PROUD VETERAN OF THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS, HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND I WOULD LIKE TO SERVE AGAIN, PERHAPS IF ANOTHER UNIFORM.

I'M ADRIAN FONTES AND WITH YOUR SUPPORT I'LL BE THE NEXT SECRETARY OF STATE.

>> NOW MARK FINCHEM.

>> THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LISTEN TO BOTH OF US AS CANDIDATES.

AS YOU CAN TELL, I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT PROTECTING YOUR SUFFRAGE.

IT'S NOT A MATTER OF DEMOCRAT VERSUS REPUBLICAN.

THIS IS COMPETING IN THE ARENA OF IDEAS AND HAVING NO ONE WITH A THUMB ON THE SCALE OF ELECTION JUSTICE.

WHAT WE'VE SEEN HERE TONIGHT, AND I WILL REMIND YOU, AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO SEE JUST WHAT IS AT STAKE HERE.

I'LL REMIND YOU ONE LAST TIME, LAURIE ROBERTS, WRITING FOR THE ARIZONA REPUBLICAN SAID THAT FONTES MAKING UP ELECTION LAW AS IT GOES ALONG AND IT WON'T END LAW.

I AGREE WITH THAT STATEMENT.

IN FACT, IT'S A FRIGHTENING TAUT.

ENING THOUGHT.

MY JOB IS TO SEE THAT EVERYONE FOLLOWS THE LAW.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

WE WILL FEATURE THE SEVENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT AND THAT DEBATE IS MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26th, 5:00 P.M. AND 10:00 P.M. AND LIVESTREAMED.

>> YOU CAN CATCH ALL OF ARIZONA'S PAST PROGRAMMING.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.