>> WELCOME TO THE IDAHO DEBATES.

TONIGHT, THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY CANDIDATES FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

THE IDAHO DEBATES IS ORGANIZED BY THESE PARTNERS.

FUNDING PROVIDED BY THE FRIENDS OF IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION.

THE IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION ENDOWMENT, AND THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

>> Melissa Davlin: WELCOME TO THE IDAHO DEBATES AT THE IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION STUDIOS.

THIS IS THE THIRD AND FINAL DEBATE WE'RE HOSTING BEFORE THE MAY 17th PRIMARY ELECTION.

TONIGHT THE THREE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR SECRETARY OF STATE TAKE THE STAGE TO ASK FOR YOUR VOTE.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE OVERSEES ELECTION ADMINISTRATION, AS WELL AS CAMPAIGN FINANCE, VOTER REGISTRATION, LOBBYIST RENTAL SERVICES.ATION AND BUSINESS- THEY ALSO SIT ON THE STATE LAND BOARD.

THE WINNER OF THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY WILL FACE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE SEAN KEENAN IN THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION.

I WANT TO WELCOME THE CANDIDATES.

PHIL McGRANE, MARY SOUZA, AND DOROTHY MOON.

ADA COUNTY CLERK PHIL McGRANE TOOK OFFICE IN 2019, PRIOR TO BEING ELECTED HE WORKED AS AN ELECTION SPECIALIST AND DEPUTY CLERK.

SENATOR MARY SOUZA HAS SERVED FOUR TERMS IN THE IDAHO SENATE, SHE CO-OWNS A BUSINESS AND IS A RETIRED NURSE.

REPRESENTATIVE DOROTHY MOON HAS SERVED THREE TERMS IN THE IDAHO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

SHE IS A FORMER SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER, INSTRUCTOR, AND BUSINESS OWNER.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK OUR PANEL OF REPORTERS WHO WILL BE ASKING THE CANDIDATES QUESTIONS TONIGHT.

BETSY RUSSELL OF THE IDAHO PRESS, KELCIE MOSELEY-MORRIS OF THE IDAHO CAPITAL SUN AND RYAN SUPPE OF THE "IDAHO STATESMAN."

I'M MELISSA DAVLIN HOST OF IDAHO REPORT ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION.

I'M MODERATING TONIGHT.

TO REMIND THE CANDIDATES HOW LONG THEY'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IS ANNE KARLTON.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL BE GIVEN 90 SECONDS FOR OPENING COMMENTS AND 60 SECONDS FOR CLOSE.

PHIL McGRANE HAS THE HONOR TO GO FIRST.

>> Phil McGrane: THANK YOU IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION AND ALL THE OTHER SPONSORS AND PEOPLE WHO PUT ALL THE WORK TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN TODAY.

I'M PHIL McGRANE, AND I'M RUNNING TO BE YOUR NEXT REPUBLICAN SECRETARY OF STATE.

THERE'S A REASON WE'RE HAVING NOT JUST THE ONE TONIGHT, BUT ALL OF THESE DEBATES.

AND IT'S BECAUSE ELECTIONS MATTER.

AND WHEN IT COMES TO OUR ELECTIONS, EXPERIENCE COUNTS.

I'VE HAD THE GREAT FORTUNE OF SPENDING MY ENTIRE CAREER ENSURING THAT IDAHO HAS FREE, FAIR, AND SECURE ELECTIONS.

RIGHT OUT OF COLLEGE, ALMOST 17 YEARS AGO, I FELL INTO A JOB RECRUITING POLL WORKERS, TRAINING THEM, POLLING LOCATIONS, AND COUNTING BALLOTS WHEN WE STILL VOTED ON THE PUNCH CARD.

I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK MY WAY UP.

AND SERVE IN ALL SORTS OF ROLES RELATED TO OUR ELECTIONS AND HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN EVERY ASPECT, AS AN ADMINISTRATOR AND AS A CANDIDATE.

I'VE HAD THE GREAT PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH SECRETARY DENNY, AND SECRETARY U ASSIST SURSA AND I'VE COUNTE ALMOST 2.5 MILLION BALLOTS IN MY CAREER.

ONE OF THE BIG THINGS I WANT TO SAY IS IDAHO SHOULD BE PROUD OF OUR ELECTIONS.

I KNOW I AM.

ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS I'M RUNNING HERE TODAY IS BECAUSE I'M PROUD TO BE AN IDAHOAN.

I'M A FOURTH-GENERATION IDAHOAN, AND I HAVE A COUPLE OF KIDS WITH MY WIFE ANGELA, WHO ARE 5th-GENERATION IDAHOANS AND I WANT THEM TO BE AS JUST AS BLESSED AS I HAVE BEEN.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CONVERSATION TONIGHT.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE QUESTIONS, AND I HOPE YOU WILL SEE EXPERIENCE COUNTS IN THIS RACE.

>> Melissa Davlin: THANK YOU.

SENATOR SOUZA.

>> Mary Souza: I'M SENATOR MARY SOUZA AND I'M FINISHING MY EIGHTH YEAR IN THE SENATE.

I'M RUNNING FOR IDAHO SECRETARY OF STATE TO PROTECT OUR ELECTIONS, TO PROTECT OUR BUSINESSES, AND TO PROTECT OUR ENDOWMENT LANDS.

THOSE ARE THE THREE MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

DURING THE 2020 ELECTIONS, FACEBOOK MONEY CAME TO OUR IDAHO ELECTIONS.

MY OPPONENT, PHIL McGRANE, THE FIRST PERSON AND ONLY PERSON TO BE DIRECTLY CONTACTED BY THE FACEBOOK FUNDING GROUP.

HE ACCEPTED $500,000 OF THEIR MONEY AND RECOMMENDED TO ALL THE OTHER COUNTY CLERKS THAT THEY APPLY FOR THE MONEY AS WELL.

AND AT NO TIME DID ANY OF THEM EVER CONSULT WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.

THIS MONEY WAS NOT FOR A CANDIDATE OR A BALLOT MEASURE.

IT WAS TO ACTUALLY RUN OUR ELECTIONS.

I WAS THE FIRST IDAHO LAWMAKER TO FIND OUT ABOUT THIS MONEY AND I QUICKLY DRAFTED AND GOT THROUGH THE SYSTEM A BILL SIGNED INTO LAW BY THE GOVERNOR, THE BILL WILL STOP, HAS STOPPED ANY FURTHER FACEBOOK MONEY OR ANY PRIVATE DARK MONEY FROM COMING IN TO IDAHO TO RUN OUR ELECTIONS EVER AGAIN.

I'VE BEEN FOCUSED ON ELECTIONS SINCE 2009, AND DURING MY TIME IN THE SENATE, I HAVE SPONSORED 15 BILLS ON ELECTION INTEGRITY AND TRANSPARENCY.

I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK WITH YOU TONIGHT, AND MY THANKS TO THE IDAHO PUBLIC BROADCASTING SYSTEM, AND OUR MODERATORS.

THANK YOU.

>> Melissa Davlin: THANK YOU.

REPRESENTATIVE MOON.

>> Dorothy Moon: THANK YOU, MELISSA.

I'M DOROTHY MOON, AND I LIVE IN CUSTER COUNTY OFF GRID WITH MY HUSBAND.

AND I'VE BEEN UP THERE WITH MY E PAST 18 YEARS.

IN CENTRAL IDAHO.

I TAUGHT AT CHALICE HIGH SCHOOL, I WAS A SCIENCE TEACHER AS WELL AS A SPECIAL ED DIRECTOR.

AND I LEFT IN 2012 AND MOVED ON TO OTHER VENTURES.

I'VE ALSO BEEN THE PRESIDENT OF MOON AND ASSOCIATES, A CIVIL ENGINEERING AND LAND SURVEYING COMPANY, AND IN OUR FREE TIME WE'RE GOLD MINERS AND WE ALSO CUT LOGS AND BUILD LITTLE BABY LOG HOMES.

SO I'VE BEEN REPRESENTING LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT EIGHT FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS, WHICH COVERS 16,000 SQUARE MILES, THE LARGEST DISTRICT IN THIS STATE.

I'M VERY PROUD TO REPRESENT RURAL IDAHO, AND THE 97% I'VE EARNED FOR MY CONSERVATIVE VOTES IN THE AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION, I'M VERY PROUD OF.

I WANT TO BE YOUR NEXT SECRETARY OF STATE BECAUSE ELECTION INTEGRITY ISSUES ARE A CONCERN OF IDAHOANS.

AS YOUR CHIEF ELECTION OFFICER, MAINTAINING UNIFORMITY AND CONSISTENCY IN OUR ELECTIONS IS SOMETHING I PROMISE YOU WE WILL HAVE.

I ALSO AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH RESOURCES.

I HAVE BEEN UP IN THE WOODS FOR A LONG TIME, AND BEING AMONG THE RESOURCES I'VE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FIRE AND OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED AS FAR AS FLOODING AND SO FORTH.

AS FAR AS THE THINGS I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH, FUELS REDUCTIONS IN OUR FORESTS, MINE PERMITTING AND IMRAIZING ALLOTMENTS.

WITH MY MASTER'S DEGREE IN RESOURCE PLANNING, WE GET HIGHEST ECONOMIC RETURNS ON OUR ENDOWMENT LANDS IS SOMETHING I CAN ACHIEVE.

MY NAME IS DOROTHY MOON, RUNNING FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

>> Melissa Davlin: THE FIRST QUESTION FROM BETSY RUSSELL.

>> Betsy Russell: CLERK MCGRANE, WERE THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES IN ADA COUNTY ELECTIONS, HOW HAVE YOU HANDLED THEM AND WHAT LESSONS HAVE LEARNED FROM RUNNING ELECTIONS IN THE STATE'S LARGEST COUNTY THAT YOU'D LIKE TO BRING TO ELECTIONS STATEWIDE?

>> Phil McGrane: THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION, BETSY.

I THINK IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HIGHLIGHTS MY EXPERIENCE, HAVING BEEN INVOLVED IN EVERY ASPECT OF OUR ELECTIONS, I THINK ONE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS I BRING TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE, I'M NOT JUST LOOKING AT IT FROM A BROAD LEVEL, BUT I'VE BEEN ON THE GROUND, WORKING IN POLLING PLACES, DEALING WITH POLL WORKERS, PRINTING BALLOTS AND ALL OF THE LOGISTICS THAT GO INTO OUR ELECTIONS.

MANY PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE JUST HOW BIG OF A SCALE THEY ARE.

OFTEN ELECTIONS ARE THE LARGEST EVENT PLANNING OPERATION IN ANY COMMUNITY IN OUR STATE.

AND I'VE BEEN THROUGH THE EXPERIENCES BOTH WHEN IT'S GONE REALLY WELL AND THE CHALLENGES THAT COME ALONG WITH OUR ELECTIONS.

SO I'VE LEARNED FROM THAT.

AND I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS WE NEED IN TERMS OF A SECRETARY OF STATE IS THAT EXPERIENCE.

SO THE COUNTY CLERK OR ANYONE ELSE CALLS, THAT THEY HAVE THE ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS.

BOTH IN TERMS OF HOW OUR LAWS WORK, BUT ALSO HOW THINGS WORK PRACTICALLY ON THE GROUND.

I THINK MOST IDAHOANS CAN RELATE TO THAT IN THEIR JOBS.

NEEDING SOMEONE YOU CAN TURN TO WHO HAS THE EXPERIENCE, THOSE THE NUANCES OF WHAT YOU'RE DOING ON THE GROUND, AND HOW THAT WILL IMPACT THINGS.

I FACE CHALLENGES WHETHER THAT'S BEEN PRINTING BALLOTS OR OTHER THINGS, AND HAVE BEEN QUICK TO JUMP ON AND REACT TO THOSE CHALLENGES WHEN THEY'VE COME UP.

ELECTIONS ARE SO INVOLVED, THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY EASY.

BUT THAT'S WHERE IT TAKES A TEAM OF PEOPLE, WHETHER THAT'S THE 1300 POLL WORKERS WE USE, OR ALL OF THE OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS AND PARTNERS THAT WE HAVE ALONG THE WAY.

IT'S WHY I'M PROUD TO HAVE COUNTY SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE STATE, WHETHER IT'S COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, CLERKS, SHERIFFS OR OTHERS, BECAUSE WE WORK HARD TO MAKE SURE OUR ELECTIONS WORK WELL.

>> Betsy Russell: CAN YOU GIVE US AN EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THOSE TIMES THINGS HAVEN'T GONE REALLY WELL AND WHAT YOU DID?

>> Phil McGrane: ABSOLUTELY.

A GREAT EXAMPLE JUST FROM THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

WE HAD AN ISSUE WHERE MANY PEOPLE MAY NOT REALIZE WE ROTATE THE NAMES OF CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT.

MAKING SURE EACH CANDIDATE GETS A TURN AT THE TOP.

WE FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS AN ERROR RELATED TO ONE OF THE RACES PRINTING THOSE BALLOTS.

WE WERE QUICK TO JUMP ON THAT AND TO PRINT NEW BALLOTS TO MAKE SURE THAT VOTERS AND EARLY VOTING AND ON ELECTION DAY WOULD HAVE THE RIGHT RESOURCES.

WE LEARNED THAT THE ELECTION WAS CLOSE, I SHARED THAT INFORMATION WITH ALL INVOLVED, INCLUDING THE CANDIDATES.

WE CONDUCTED A RECOUNT WHERE EVERYTHING MATCHED, AND WORKED WITH EVERYBODY INVOLVED AND I THINK IT'S ONE OF THE BEST EXAMPLES OF ELECTIONS INTEGRITY.

MAKING SURE EVERYONE HAS THE RESOURCES.

ONE OF THE THINGS I LEARNED THROUGH THAT PROCESS WAS THAT WE NEEDED A TOOL TO ADDRESS IT IN CASE WE EVER NEED TO TAKE AN ELECTION TO A JUDGE.

AND I'M PROUD TO SAY I GOT LEGISLATION THROUGH THIS PAST SESSION TO MAKE THAT POSSIBLE.

THAT WE CAN HAVE JUDICIAL REVIEW IN A CLOSE ELECTION AND GIVING AUTHORITY TO A JUDGE TO CALL A NEW ELECTION IF IT'S NECESSARY.

I THINK THOSE -- THAT'S A GOOD EXAMPLE OF JUST HAVING THAT ON THE GROUND EXPERIENCE AND KNOWING WHEN SOMETHING NUANCED LIKE THAT HAPPENS, WHAT TO DO AND HOW TO REACT.

>> Melissa Davlin: SENATOR SOUTH, YOU'RE NEXT, AND IF I MAY POSE THE QUESTION TO YOU YOU -- >> Mary Souza: I WANTED TO RESPOND TO WHAT CLERK MCGRANE JUS SAID.

THANK YOU.

I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT THE MERIDIAN CITY COUNCIL RACE THAT YOU WERE REFERRING TO IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

AND THAT I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH A GENTLEMAN THAT WAS NOT ROTATED AS HIS NAME WAS ON THE BALLOT.

AND HE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT UNTIL AFTER THE ELECTION AND AFTER YOU REALIZED YOUR OFFICE REALIZED IT WAS GOING TO BE A CLOSE ELECTION, THAT YOU LET THE PEOPLE INVOLVED KNOW THAT THERE COULD BE A PROBLEM.

THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT WASN'T DONE CORRECTLY.

I'VE BEEN A BUSINESS OWNER FOR 37 YEARS WITH MY HUSBAND, AND I WAS GENERAL MANAGER FOR 15 OF THOSE YEARS.

I KNOW THAT MISTAKES HAPPEN.

BUT IT'S HOW YOU HANDLE THE MISTAKE THAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE.

TRANSPARENCY IS REALLY IMPORTANT IN OUR ELECTIONS, AND I WOULD HAVE PREFERRED TO SEE YOU OR YOUR OFFICE GIVE THAT INFORMATION TO THE PEOPLE INVOLVED ON THAT BALLOT RIGHT AS SOON AS YOU DISCOVERED IT, SO THEY WOULD HAVE ANTICIPATED THAT THIS COULD BE SOMETHING THAT THEY SHOULD WATCH.

>> Melissa Davlin: I'LL GIVE YOU 60 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

>> Phil McGrane: THANK YOU, MELISSA.

I THINK THAT HIGHLIGHTS JUST THE LACK OF EXPERIENCE WHEN IT COMES TO HOW COMPLEX OUR ELECTIONS ARE AND EVERYTHING THAT'S INVOLVED.

I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES, THERE ARE SO MANY MOVING PARTS.

THIS IS AN EXAMPLE.

THE ROTATION ON THE BALLOTS, IT'S JUST A MATTER OF HAVING EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CANDIDATES.

AND ON A TOP TICKET RACE LIKE THE MERIDIAN CITY COUNCIL RACE, IT HAS A MINIMAL IMPACT.

IT'S THE DOWN BALLOT RACES WHERE IT HAS A HUGE EFFECT.

IN EVERY INSTANCE, WE TRACK AND MONITOR AND MAKE SURE WE KEEP TRACK OF EVERYTHING SO WE CAN SHARE IT WITH THE CANDIDATES AND GIVE THEM THE TOOLS.

I WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH THE CANDIDATE IN THIS RACE TO MAKE SURE HE HAD ALL THE INFORMATION, TOOLS, AND EVEN GUIDE TOUCHDOWN HIM THROUGH THE RECOUNT PROCESS TO MAKE SURE HE COULD SEE ALL ASPECTS OF OUR ELECTIONS.

I THINK THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO PUT THIS BEFORE A JUDGE, AND IT'S WHY I WORKED ON LEGISLATION BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE IT IN OUR ELECTIONS TO TRY AND ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, AND NOW WE DO.

I THINK IT'S THAT KIND OF LEADERSHIP THAT WE NEED IN THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.

>> Mary Souza: I'VE GOT TO ADDRESS THIS TOO.

THIS ISN'T THE END OF THE STORY.

>> Melissa Davlin: I'LL GIVE YOU 60 SECONDS.

>> Mary Souza: MICHAEL HAWN, I EXPWIEWD HIM AND I THINK CLERK MCGRANE, THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS YOU WERE AWARE THE BALLOTS WENT OUT NOT RANDOMIZED.

IT WAS 2100.

SO I GUESS IT WAS STATISTICALLY -- THESE 56 VOTES THAT HE LOST BY, STATISTICALLY WAS THAT ENOUGH, TO WHERE HE COULD HAVE PREVAILED.

SO I THINK THE PROBLEM IS THAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CAUGHT IMMEDIATELY, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN STOPPED IMMEDIATELY, INSTEAD OF LETTING IT GO, AND YOU HAD TO SEEK COUNSEL FROM THE STATE OF STATE -- THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, AS MUCH EXPERIENCE AS YOU HAD, I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT YOU WOULD HAVE RERUN, RETRIEVED THOSE 2100 BALLOTS AND DONE THE ELECTION -- THE FACT YOU DIDN'T HAVE A REMEDY RIGHT AWAY WAS VERY CONCERNING TO THE CANDIDATE, ALSO TO ME.

>> Melissa Davlin: I'LL GIVE YOU 30 SECONDS AND THEN WE NEED TO MOVE ON.

>> Phil McGrane: ONCE AGAIN, THIS SHOWS THE LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF HOW OUR ELECTION LAWS WORK IN IDAHO.

I SOUGHT THE COUNSEL AND ASSISTANCE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IDAHO LAW REQUIRES.

I DID NOT HAVE THE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO ADDRESS IT SO I WENT TO THOSE WHO DO HAVE THE LEGAL AUTHORITY AND GUIDED SECRETARY DENNY IN A WAY THAT WE COULD HAVE PUT IT BEFORE A JUDGE.

IT'S THAT LEVEL OF EXPERIENCING AND KNOWING TITLE 34 IN OUR ELECTIONS CODE THAT IS THE NECESSARY SKILLS TO BE SECRETARY OF STATE.

>> Betsy Russell: SENATOR SOUZA, YOU SPENT YOUR POLITICAL CAREER IN THE LEGISLATURE, NOT RUNNING AN ELECTIONS OFFICE.

WHAT IN YOUR EXPERIENCE QUALIFIES YOU TO BE IDAHO'S SECRETARY OF STATE AND TO OVERSEE ELECTION STATEWIDE?

>> Mary Souza: THAT'S AN EXCELLENT QUESTION.

THE ROLE OF SECRETARY OF STATE IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN THE ROLE OF COUNTY CLERK.

THE ROLE -- THE COUNTY CLERKS ARE IN CHARGE AS CLERK MCGRANE AS EXPLAINED, THEY ARE IN CHARGE OF THE DAY-TO-DAY LOGISTICS DURING THE ELECTION SEASON.

AND PREPARING AND GETTING ALL OF THE RECORDS CORRECT.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS MUCH MORE OF A SUPERVISORY JOB.

THE SECRETARY IS TITLED THE CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER OF THE STATE.

NOT TO RUN ELECTIONS, BUT TO OVERSEE THE ELECTION LAWS THAT WE HAVE ON OUR BOOKS, AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE LAWS ARE ENFORCED AND UPDATED AS NEEDED.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE VERY ANTIQUATED LAWS IN OUR ELECTION SYSTEM.

FOR EXAMPLE, IN 2009, I WAS IN NORTH IDAHO, WHERE I LIVE, AND WE HAD A CITY COUNCIL RACE THAT WAS DETERMINED BY FIVE VOTES.

BETSY, I WAS ACTUALLY WRITING A POLITICAL COLUMN FOR THE COEUR D'ALENE PRESS, I WASN'T IN POLITICS.

AND I WAS IN THE AUDIENCE TAKING NOTES ON THIS COURT TRIAL THAT PURSUED, THAT ENSUED FROM THE CITY COUNCIL RACE THAT WAS SO CLOSE.

MY EYES WERE OPENED.

I COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT WE FOUND, WHAT WAS FOUND, AND I THOUGHT OUR SYSTEM WAS ROCK-SOLID, BUT IT WASN'T.

AND ONE OF THE EXAMPLES IS THAT A WOMAN FROM CANADA WHO HAD LIVED THERE FOR 20 YEARS VOTED LEGALLY IN OUR CITY COUNCIL RACE, BECAUSE THE DEFINITION OF "RESIDENT" HAD NOT BEEN CHANGED FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

AND IT STILL HASN'T BEEN CHANGED TO THIS DAY.

>> Betsy Russell: REPRESENTATI VE MOON, SAME QUESTION.

WHAT IN YOUR EXPERIENCE QUALIFIES YOU TO BE IDAHO SECRETARY OF STATE AND OVERSEE ELECTIONS STATEWIDE?

>> Dorothy Moon: THANK YOU, BETSY.

I THINK MY QUALIFICATIONS ARE THE FACT THAT I'VE RUN BUSINESSES.

I HAVE THE MOON AND ASSOCIATES BUSINESS, WE'VE BEEN -- WE'VE PROBABLY HAD 20 EMPLOYEES, MAYBE 25 OVER THE COURSE OF, SINCE 1994.

SO I KNOW HOW TO MANAGE PEOPLE, I DEFINITELY KNOW HOW TO HIRE, I DEFINITELY KNOW HOW TO FIRE.

AS FAR AS MY GET IT DONE ATTITUDE IN EDUCATION -- AND USE EDUCATION AS A GOOD WAY TO MAKE SURE OUR POLL WATCHERS, AND CLERK UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES ARE EVERY TIME AN ELECTION COMES UP.

I UNDERSTAND THAT AFTER THE ALL-ABSENTEE BALLOT ELECTION PRIMARY THERE WAS A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT HOW POLL WATCHERS WERE TREATED, HOW THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO WATCH THE MACHINES WHEN THEY WERE TABULATING, SO THERE WERE A COUPLE OF TIMES I HAD TO CALL THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE AND SAY IF MY POLL WATCHER LEAVES THIS COUNTY, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO COME BACK IN THROUGH THAT DOOR.

SO THERE WAS A LOT OF TRIAL AND ERROR DURING THAT PERIOD.

BUT FACT OF THE MATTER IS, EVERYBODY SERVES A CERTAIN POSITION DURING ELECTIONS.

AND AN EDUCATOR ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I WOULD DO IS GO TO ALL 44 COUNTIES AND MAKE SURE EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS WHAT THEIR JOB IS WHAT IT ENTAILS.

AND THEN YOU HAVE CHALLENGERS THAT COME INTO THE EQUATION AS WELL.

SO TO ME EDUCATION TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE THOSE WHICH LANE THEY STAY IN, WHAT THEY NEED TO BE DOING TO MAKE SURE THE PUBLIC FEELS CONFIDENCE IN THE SYSTEM, AND REMOVES ANY DOUBT THAT THERE'S PROBLEMS IN THE SYSTEM.

>> Melissa Davlin: NEXT QUESTION COMES FROM RYAN SUPPE.

>> Ryan Suppe: QUESTION FOR ALL THE CANDIDATES.

DO YOU BELIEVE JOE BIDEN FAIRLY WON THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION?

PLEASE ANSWER YES OR NO AND SAY WHY OR WHY NOT.

CLERK MCGRANE.

>> Phil McGrane: RYAN, I THINK IT'S SO INTERESTING THAT YOU ASKED THAT QUESTION.

BECAUSE IT'S A REFLECTION OF JUST WHERE WE ARE.

SO MANY OF THE CURRENT CONCERNS THAT HAVE COME OUT OF THE 2020 ELECTION.

JOE BIDEN WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT DURING THAT ELECTION.

BUT ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE SEEN AND EXPERIENCED AS I'VE TRAVELED AROUND THE STATE IS THE CONCERNS THAT IDAHO VOTERS HAVE.

WHEN MOST IDAHOANS REFLECT ON THEIR VOTING EXPERIENCE AND HEADING TO THE POLLS AND POLL WORKERS THERE CHECKING THEM IN, THEY FEEL CONFIDENT ABOUT THEIR ELECTIONS LOCALLY.

BUT WHEN THEY LOOK ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THERE ARE MANY CONCERNS, EVEN THE REACTIONS LIKE WE WATCHED IN ARIZONA IN TERMS OF HOW THEY HANDLED THE POST-ELECTION PROCESS.

ONE OF THE BIG THINGS I WANT TO DO AS SECRETARY OF STATE IS MAKE SURE THAT IDAHOANS FEEL CONFIDENT THAT WHEN THEY DROP THEIR BALLOT IN THE BALLOT BOX, THAT YOUR VOTE WILL COUNT.

AND YOUR VOTE WILL COUNT JUST THE SAME AS ANYONE ELSE, AND NO ONE IS TAMPERING WITH OUR ELECTIONS.

WE HAVE A GREAT ELECTION SYSTEM HERE IN THE STATE, AND I'M GOING TO DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO CONTINUE TO ENSURE THAT WELL INTO THE FUTURE.

>> Ryan Suppe: SENATOR SOUZA, SAME QUESTION.

>> Mary Souza: THANK YOU, RYAN.

I HAVE A DIFFERENT OPINION.

I DO NOT THINK THAT JOE BIDEN WON THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

BUT HE HAS BEEN NAMED PRESIDENT, AND THAT'S BEEN CERTIFIED.

SO I'M NOT SUGGESTING WE WOULD GO BACK.

BUT WE HAVE TO LEARN FROM WHAT HAPPENED.

AND THERE WERE MANY THINGS, I WILL CALL IT DEATH BY A THOUSAND CUTS AS THE CHINESE WOULD PUT IT.

IT WAS BALLOT HARVESTING.

IT WAS BALLOT BOXES THAT WERE EITHER VIDEOTAPED OR -- BUT THEY WERE NOT MANNED.

IT WAS A LOT OF SMALL CHANGES IN LAW THAT WERE SIGNIFICANT DURING THE COVID CRISIS IN MANY OF THE SWING STATES.

AND THEY WERE NOT DONE LEGALLY BY THE STATE LEGISLATURES.

THEY WERE DONE BY JUDGES, OR SECRETARIES OF STATE.

I AM A MEMBER OF THE HONEST ELECTION PROJECT, WHICH IS ONLY A DOZEN LEGISLATORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AND WE GET TOGETHER TWICE A YEAR FOR INTENSE WORKSHOPS WITH ELECTION EXPERTS.

ALL OF THE OTHER 11 LEGISLATORS ARE FROM SWING STATES, LIKE WISCONSIN, PENNSYLVANIA, ARIZONA, AND MORE.

AND WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY NOW TO LOOK BACK AND SEE WHAT HAPPENED IN THOSE STATES, WISCONSIN IS COMING OUT WITH A SHOCKING 150-PAGE REPORT ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN THEIR STATE.

BEING DONE BY OUR OFFICE OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS.% IT'S INCREDIBLE.

AND I WILL REFER TO IT LATER.

BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE OUR EYES WIDE OPEN IN IDAHO, AND SAY, WE HAVE TO SECURE OUR SYSTEM, EVEN IF WE DON'T HAVE FRAUD RIGHT NOW, WE -- IT IS COMING, AND IT IS ALL AROUND US, AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A SAFETIES ITEM.

>> Ryan Suppe: REPRESENTATIVE MOON.

>> Dorothy Moon: NO.

WHEN WE NOTICED AROUND THE BATTLEGROUND STATES WERE GOING TO BED, AND THEY WERE GOING TO START BACK UP IN THE MORNING, IN MY LIFETIME I HAD NEVER SEEN THAT HAPPEN.

NOR HAD MOST AMERICANS WHO STAY UP THAT LATE TO WATCH FOR THE RESULTS.

SADLY, THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, WE HAD TO DEAL WITH IT.

EVERYONE WAS IN SHOCK, A LOT OF US BASED ON POLLING, PRESIDENT TRUMP SHOULD HAVE BEEN REELECTED.

65% OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS STATE VOTED FOR TRUMP.

THE HIGHEST IN THE ENTIRE NATION.

AS A LEGISLATOR, MOST PHONE CALLS I HAVE RECEIVED AND MOST EMAILS AND MOST PERSONAL CONTACTS HAVE ALL BEEN ABOUT ELECTION INTEGRITY ISSUES EVER SINCE THAT ELECTION.

IN FACT, IT WAS SO BAD I DECIDED TO GO OUT AND MEET WITH PEOPLE.

I WENT ON A TOUR FROM DECEMBER ON, AND MET WITH THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN FOUR MONTHS AT 40 VENUES ON WEEKENDS WHILE IT WAS IN SESSION.

AND THE BIGGEST ISSUE WAS WITHOUT A DOUBT HOW COME WE DIDN'T JOIN THE TEXAS LAWSUIT, THE MINUTE THAT THIS LAWSUIT CAME ABOUT?

AND IT TOOK OUR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TO FILE AN AMICUS BRIEF IN WHICH 40 LOSHES SIGNED ON TO, AND I WAS ONE OF THEM.

IN FACT, I WAS ONE OF ONLY 11 TO SIGN ON TO A PETITION FOR A FORENSIC AUDIT.

SO I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED.

WE CANNOT LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN.

AND IDAHO NEEDS TO BE THE BEACON ON THE HILL AND SHOW THAT OUR ELECTIONS WILL NOT BE COMPROMISED, AND WE WILL DEFINITELY FIGHT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NO DOUBT IN OUR SYSTEM.

>> Melissa Davlin: HOW WOULD YOU REBUILD THAT TRUST IF YOU THINK IT FAILED SO MONUMENTALLY?

>> Dorothy Moon: FIRST I'D MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A SECURE ELECTION ACT THAT GOT THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR.

I BROUGHT A BILL FORWARD THAT WOULD HAVE TIGHTENED UP IDENTIFICATION AS FAR AS RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS, THINGS YOU COULD AND COULDN'T USE AND CITIZENSHIP.

AND CITIZENSHIP I'M SURE WILL BE A QUESTION PRETTY SOON.

AN AFFIDAVIT, WE'RE ALLOWING PEOPLE TO SEND A PIECE OF PAPER SAYING THEY ARE WHO THEY ARE, AND WE GIVE THEM A BALLOT AND UPON RECEIPT OF THAT BALLOT THEY VOTED, AND MAYBE A FEW DAYS LATER THE CLERK MIGHT FIND OUT HEY, THIS PERSON DOESN'T LIVE IN THIS COUNTY.

THEY JUST FILED AN ILLEGAL BALLOT.

WHICH MEANS YOU HAVE JUST BEEN CANCELED OUT.

AND WE CANNOT ALLOW ANY ILLEGAL VOTE TO TAKE OUT A LEGAL VOTE IN THIS STATE.

AND THAT IS WHAT I WILL DO, AND HOPEFULLY WORKING WITH THE LEGISLATURE, WE CAN GET RID OF THE AFFIDAVITS, WE CAN TIGHTEN THINGS UP, AT LEAST THAT ARE PHOTO I.D.

IS NOT A REASONABLE REQUIREMENT.

WE HAVE TO HAVE GOVERNMENT-ISSUED PHOTO I.D.

TO RECEIVE A BALLOT.

>> Melissa Davlin: RYAN, DID YOU HAVE A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION?

>> Ryan Suppe: REPRESENTATIVE MOON, YOU ASKED FOR THE CITIZENSHIP QUESTION, HERE IT COMES.

>> Dorothy Moon: ALL RIGHT.

I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE THE FIRST ONE.

GO AHEAD.

>> Ryan Suppe: AN EARLY VERSION OF YOUR BILL REQUIRED PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP AT THE POLLS.

WHY SHOULD VOTERS NEED TO PROVE CITIZENSHIP AT THE POLLS AND WHO SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR VERIFYING IT?

>> Dorothy Moon: ONE, IT'S THE LAW.

YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF IDAHO TO VOTE.

AS FAR AS CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENT, WHEN MY BILL, THE SECURE ELECTION ACT, WAS PRESENTED, ONE THING ABOUT PEOPLE WERE TRYING TO CONFUSE THE BILL AND SAY THAT YOU HAD TO HAVE A CITIZEN REQUIREMENT EVERY TIME YOU WOULD GO IN AND REGISTER TO VOTE.

SO IF YOU MOVED FROM CUSTER COUNTY TO COOT NINTENDO WII COUNTY YOU'D HAVE TO DO IN WITH A BOAT LOAD OF DOCUMENTS.

NO, THAT'S UPON INITIAL REGISTRATION.

AS FAR AS CITIZENSHIP, THERE WAS A BILL MOVED BY REPRESENTATIVE MITCHELL THAT WOULD HAVE YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE HAVE A STAMP THAT STATED WHETHER YOU WERE A CITIZEN OR NONCITIZEN.

AND SO THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT MOVED THROUGH SADLY, THOUGH, IT WASN'T MANDATORY, IT WAS VOLUNTARY.

HAD IT BEEN MANDATORY THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT COULD BE EASILY SEEN, BUT -- ANY ELECTION WORKER AT THE POLLS.

BUT THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

SO IT WAS WATERED DOWN WITH A MANDATORY REQUIREMENT.

HOWEVER, AS FASCIAS THE CITIZENSHIP GOES, THERE IS MULTIPLE WAYS THAT THEY CAN PROVE CITIZENSHIP, IT HAS TO BE PROVED ON TIME, AND EVEN IF YOU COME IN FROM ANOTHER STATE AND YOU'VE PROVEN CITIZENSHIP THERE AND YOU HAVE A CARD SUCH AS THIS LICENSE I'VE DESCRIBED THAT WE HAVE HAD PASSED BY REPRESENTATIVE MITCHELL, THEN THAT CARD, THEY COULD BRING OVER FROM INDIANA, AND USE THAT CARD TO GO AHEAD AND REGISTER TO VOTE.

BECAUSE THEY'VE ALREADY GONE THROUGH THE PROCESS OF PROVING CITIZENSHIP.

>> Ryan Suppe: CLERK MCGRANE, SAME QUESTION TO YOU.

>> Phil McGrane: I THINK THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF JUST MY EXPERIENCE.

I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE WHO HAS ACTUALLY WORKED ON THESE ISSUES, WHO'S WORKED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO ADDRESS CITIZENSHIP ISSUES.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS IS WE DON'T HAVE NONCITIZENS VOTING IN OUR ELECTIONS AND ANY INSTANCE THAT QUESTION EVER MIGHT WE'RE QUICK TO PURSUE IT.

NORTHBOUND ADA COUNTY WE'VE ONLY HAD ONE INSTANCE WHERE THERE'S BEEN AN ACCUSATION OF A NONCITIZEN VOTING.

WORKING WITH HOMELAND SECURITY, OUT OF THE 300,000 REGISTERED VOTERS THAT WE HAVE, WE'VE NARROWED IT DOWN TO EVEN EIGHT POSSIBLE NONCITIZENS.

I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE IS THAT WE ADDRESS THIS.

AND WE WORK ON IT.

WE HAVE SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE, WHEN SOMEONE REGISTERS TO VOTE, NOT ONLY DID THEY NEED TO PROVE, SHOW PHOTO IDENTIFICATION AND PROOF OF RESIDENCE, BUT WE ACTUALLY VERIFY AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES, SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, VITAL STATISTICS TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE ALIVE, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

IN FACT, THE MOST COMMON FORM OF VOTER FRAUD THAT WE SEE IS FELONS VOTING.

IT'S NOT PEOPLE COMING FROM CANADA OR ELSEWHERE TRYING TO INFLUENCE OUR ELECTIONS.

WE HAVE A GOOD SYSTEM HERE IN IDAHO AND WE HAVE SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE ACROSS ALL 44 COUNTIES.

AND IS THE ROLE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE TO ENSURE THAT THAT SYSTEM IS IN PLACE SO THE CLERKS CAN RELY ON IT AND MAKE SURE OUR ELECTIONS ARE SECURE.

I THINK WE HAVE A GOOD SYSTEM IN PLACE, WE HAVE MANY SAFEGUARDS, AND ONE OF THE THINGS WHEN WE TALK ABOUT PHOTO IDENTIFICATION, WE'VE EVEN IMPLEMENTED TOOLS SO PEOPLE CAN SCAN THEIR PHOTO I.D.

WHEN -- RIGHT BEFORE THEY VOTE TO LOOK THEM UP.

IT'S IMPROVED THE SECURITY OF OUR SYSTEM, AND MADE IT MORE CONVENIENT FOR VOTERS.

>> Melissa Davlin: REPRESENTAT IVE MOON, 30 SECONDS.

>> Dorothy Moon: CLERK MCGRANE, YOU SAID YOU KNOW OF NO CASES OF A NONCITIZEN VOTING IN THIS ELECTION, THEN YOU SAID YOU KNOW OF ONE AND POSSIBLY EIGHT MORE.

SO, YES, THERE HAVE BEEN NONCITIZENS WHO HAVE VOTED IN THIS ELECTION.

IN FACT, JUST RECENTLY I HAVE AN EMAIL THREAD FROM A COUPLE THAT HAD TURNED IN A PERSON THAT THEY KNOW WHO HAD VOTED ILLEGALLY THREE TIMES IN AN ADA COUNTY ELECTIONS.

AND THIS WAS TURNED OVER TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE, THE SECRETARY OF STATE TURNED IT OVER TO YOU, SUPPOSEDLY IT HAS GONE TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT'S GONE FROM THERE.

BUT AS FAR AS -- >> Phil McGrane: I'M HAPPY TO UPDATE YOU.

SORRY FOR MISSPEAKING.

I THINK THAT'S FAIR.

THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF ACTUALLY THE FIRST REQUEST CAME TO ME DIRECTLY.

AND IT'S BECAUSE PEOPLE RECOGNIZED OUR ROLE IN THESE ELECTIONS.

AND IN THIS CASE WE DID PURSUE IT.

WE'VE WORKED WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, FIRST THE VOTER HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE ROLLS.

IT'S BEEN INVESTIGATED AS A POTENTIAL VOTER FRAUD CASE, AND IT HAS BEEN PASSED ON TO THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, AND ADA COUNSEL CITY AS WELL AS THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR PROSECUTION.

I THINK IT'S A GOOD EXAMPLE OF ELECTIONS INTEGRITY BECAUSE WE DO TAKE THESE THINGS SERIOUSLY.

AND BOTH AS CLERK AND AS SECRETARY OF STATE, I WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT TO PROTECT OUR ELECTIONS.

>> Melissa Davlin: RYAN, THE NEXT QUESTION IS FOR SENATOR SOUZA.

>> Mary Souza: I DON'T GET THE SAME QUESTION?

>> Melissa Davlin: YES, SAME QUESTION.

>> Mary Souza: I WAS GOING TO REMARK THAT CLERK MCGRANE'S ANSWERS TO THE VOTER I.D.

ISSUE HAVE BEEN MIXED MESSAGES.

AND I HAD A VOTER I.D.

BILL AS WELL, IT WAS A COMPREHENSIVE VOTER I.D.

BILL, CLEANING UP OUR CURRENT LAWS WHICH HAVE A MISHMASH OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL THE DIFFERENT WAYS YOU CAN REGISTER TO VOTE AND ALL THE DIFFERENT WAYS YOU CAN VOTE.

AND WE NEED CONSISTENCY IN OUR LAWS.

AND CLARITY.

STUDENT I.D.ES ARE NOT CITIZENSHIP TESTED.

THEY ARE NOT EVEN VALID FOR A LOT OF OTHER REASONS.

THEY SHOULD NOT BE USED AS A VOTING TOOL, BUT IN ADA COUNTY, ON THEIR MOBILE VOTING TRUCK, THE CITIZEN -- THE STUDENTS CAN USE THEIR STUDENT I.D.s TO COME OUT OF COLLEGE AND REGISTER TO VOTE AND VOTE IMMEDIATELY.

WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT, BECAUSE THERE'S NO CONTROL OVER WHAT CAN BE USED.

I WOULD TAKE STUDENT I.D.s OFF THAT LIST IMMEDIATELY, AND REQUIRE THAT THE OTHER I.D.s MUST HAVE CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENTS ON THEM IN ORDER TO REGISTER TO VOTE AND TO BE SHOWN AT THE POLLS.

WE DON'T NEED TO HAVE A DIFFERENT SET OF I.D.s.

THEY CAN ALL BE USED.

HOWEVER, I WILL SAY THAT I THINK THAT WE NEED TO BE CLEAR ON WHAT OUR REQUIREMENTS ARE SO THAT PEOPLE KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.

THERE ARE FRAUDULENT VOTERS IN OUR STATE.

AND CLERK MCGRANE CONSTANTLY ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL IS SAYING THAT WE HAVE NO PROBLEM, WE HAVE NO PROBLEM, EVERYTHING IS JUST FINE.

WE NEED TO OPEN OUR EYES AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE A COMMON SENSE ANSWER TO THESE SITUATIONS.

>> Melissa Davlin: 15 SECONDS, AND WE HAVE TO MOVE ON.

>> Phil McGrane: I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS, THIS IS MISLEADING IN TERMS OF LEGISLATION.

DO WE NEED GREATER CLARITY?

ABSOLUTELY.

BUT IS IT THE LEGISLATURE'S ROLE TO DETERMINE OUR LAWS?

IT'S OUR JOB TO EXECUTE THEM.

AND ONE OF THE REASONS THAT THE LEGISLATION YOU MENTIONED DIDN'T PASS IS BECAUSE IT SPECIFICALLY MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE MILITARY TO VOTE.

IF WE'RE GOING TO ASK OUR SERVICE MEMBERS TO SERVE AND FIGHT FOR US OVERSEAS, THEY SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S THE GOVERNOR THAT SENT THEM THERE.

>> Melissa Davlin: THE NEXT QUESTION -- I'LL GIVE YOU 15 SECONDS TO RESPOND AND THE NEXT QUESTION IS FROM KELCIE.

>> MY VOTER I.D.

BILL TOOK INTO CONSIDERATION THE MILITARY VOTE.

YOU WERE NOT THERE TESTIFYING ON IT.

BUT CLERK MCGRANE LIKES TO SAY IT'S UP TO THE LEGISLATURE TO AND THAT IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE.

BUT HE ALSO INTERVENES, AND HE INTERVENES IN A WAY TO STOP THE BILLS FROM BEING HEARD.

IF HE DOESN'T LIKE THEM FOR POLITICAL REASONS.

>> Kelcie Moseley-Morris: AS OF APRIL 13th, IDAHO HAD MORE THAN 990,000 REGISTERED VOTERS ACROSS 44 COUNTIES AND 35 LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS.

ELECTIONS ARE COMPLEX AND CAN INCLUDE EVERYTHING FROM CITY COUNCILS TO SCHOOL BOARDS TO BONDS AND LEVIES.

SENATOR SOUTH, WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF RUNNING AN ELECTION, AND WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?

>> Mary Souza: THANK YOU, KELCIE.

I WOULD MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE REALLY STRONG LEADERSHIP FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE, AND STRONG COMMUNICATION TO ALL OF THE COUNTIES.

EACH OF OUR COUNTIES RUNS THEIR ELECTIONS IN A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT WAY.

PARTIALLY BECAUSE OF IT IS THEIR CHOICE, BUT ALSO BECAUSE WE HAVE A VERY DIVERSE STATE, AND CAMPAIGNING ALL AROUND THE STATE, I WILL TELL YOU, IT IS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM ONE PART OF THE STATE TO ANOTHER.

SO THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE WAS NEVER INFORMED WHEN CLERK MCGRANE AND ADA COUNTY DECIDED TO TAKE $500,000 OF FACEBOOK MONEY WITHOUT CONSULTING WITH THE CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER OF THE STATE.

THAT SHOWS -- AND THEN HE ALSO RECOMMENDED TO ALL THE OTHER COUNTY CLERKS THAT THEY TAKE THIS KIND BE OF MONEY TOO.

THAT THEY APPLY FOR FACEBOOK MONEY AS WELL.

THAT SHOWS TO ME A LACK OF RESPECT, LEADERSHIP, AND COMMUNICATION, AND I THINK THAT IS KEY.

AS A BUSINESS OWNER OF 37 YEARS, AND A GENERAL MANAGER, WE HAD A BIG STAFF, WE STILL DO, AND I WAS A CRITICAL CARE NURSE AND A CHARGE NURSE BEFORE THAT.

SO IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS, COMMUNICATION IS ESSENTIAL.

WE MUST BE ABLE TO RESPECT THE OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR TEAM, BUT ALSO HAVE THAT COMMUNICATION, OBVIOUSLY THE CLERKS DIDN'T FEEL THE SAME WAY, BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T WILLING TO TALK TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.

>> Melissa Davlin: CLERK MCGRANE, I'LL GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO RESPOND IN A SECOND, BUT THE NEXT QUESTION IS FOR REPRESENTATIVE MOON.

>> Kelcie Moseley-Morris: YOU SAID DURING A DEBATE THE LAST PEOPLE I WOULD TRUST TO HELP YOU FILL OUT A PLAT IS THE GOVERNMENT.

SO IF NOT THE GOVERNMENT, WHO?

AND HOW WOULD YOU IMPROVE THAT?

>> Dorothy Moon: LET ME GIVE THAT SOME CONTEXT.

I WAS TALKING ABOUT A BILL, HOUSE BILL 441, THAT SENATOR SOUZA HAD BROUGHT FORWARD.

AND THIS WAS A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW THE GOVERNMENT TO GO IN EMPLOYEES OR VOLUNTEERS OF THE CLERK OF THAT COUNTY TO GO IN AND HELP SENIORS AND ASSISTED LIVING OR -- SENIOR HOMES, NURSING FACILITIES AND HELP THEM TO VOTE.

MY POINT IS, I DO NOT TRUST THE GOVERNMENT, BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHICH ADMINISTRATION IS IN PLACE, AND EVEN THOUGH THIS SHOULD BE A NONPARTISAN POSITION, IN ALL REGARDS, EVEN THOUGH WE ARE ELECTED AS REPUBLICAN, I KNOW ONCE I STEP INTO THAT OFFICE, I WILL BE WORKING TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS UNIFORM AND A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR EVERYONE.

AS FAR AS THIS BILL GOES, IT WAS ACTUALLY GOVERNMENT SPONSORED BALLOT HARVESTING, AND I'VE SAID THAT NUMEROUS TIMES.

WHEN WE CAN HAVE A COUNTY CLERK TRAIN A VOLUNTEER TO GO IN AND HELP, OR THE OTHER ALTERNATIVE, TO HAVE ONE REPUBLICAN AND ONE DEMOCRAT BOTH OF THEM TO GO INTO THIS ASSISTED LIVING CENTER TO HELP THEM FILL OUT THEIR BALLOTS, NO.

THEY HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS, THEY HAVE GUARDIANS, THERE'S ANOTHER WAY THAT WE'VE ALREADY BEEN DOING.

IF YOU WANT TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM COMING IN WITH CERTAIN POLITICAL GROUPS AND TRYING TO GET THEM TO VOTE A CERTAIN WAY, THAT'S ONE THING.

BUT WE SHOULD NOT HAVE BALLOT HARVESTING IN ANY REGARD, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S GOVERNMENT SPONSORED.

>> Kelcie Moseley-Morris: YOU MENTIONED IT'S -- BE.

>> Melissa Davlin: YOU CAN RESPOND AFTER HER QUESTION.

>> Kelcie Moseley-Morris: YOU' VE BEEN A PARTISAN LEGISLATOR AS A REPUBLICAN, SO YOU SAY IT SHOULD BE A NONPARTISAN OFFICE BUT YOU CAMPAIGNED AS A VERY PARTISAN PERSON.

>> Dorothy Moon: DEMOCRATS ARE ALSO PARTISAN.

IT GOES BOTH WAYS.

THERE'S NO DOUBT I'M A CONSTITUTIONAL CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN.

I'VE NEVER MADE ANY -- I REPRESENT THE MOST RURAL PART OF THIS STATE.

I REPRESENT MY CONSTITUENTS.

THAT'S -- THEY HIRED ME TO DO THAT.

SO THAT'S MY JOB.

I WILL DO MY JOB TO THE BEST OF WHAT THEY WANT AS A MAJORITY IN THAT GROUP.

NOW, AS FAR AS THE STATE GOES, IN RUNNING THIS OFFICE, I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN EXTREMELY FAIR.

I'M VERY PROUD OF HOW FAIR I AM IN DEALING WITH ISSUES.

TO ME, IF SOMEBODY IN THE DEMOCRAT PARTY WAS BEING SCRUTINIZED OVER A CAMPAIGN FINANCIAL REPORT UNLIKE SOMEONE IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, I WON'T HEAR OF IT.

EVERYBODY IS PUTTING IT ON THE LINE TO RUN FOR OPENS.

EVERYBODY IS SACRIFICING TO BE AWAY FROM THEIR HOMES AND FAMILIES TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

AND I THINK THEY SHOULD ALL BE GIVEN DUE RESPECT FOR WHAT THEY'RE ATTEMPTING TO DO.

AND THEY WANT TO REPRESENT THEIR PARTY, AND FOR THEIR CONSTITUENTS.

SO AS FAR AS MY FAIRNESS, I DON'T EVEN THINK THAT SHOULD COME INTO QUESTION.

>> Melissa Davlin: SENATOR SOUTH I WILL GIVE YOU 30 SECONDS.

>> Mary Souza: 30 SECONDS IS NOT ENOUGH.

DOROTHY, YOUR EVALUATION OF MY BILL IS FAKE NEWS.

THAT ABSOLUTELY IS TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT THE BILL DID.

PURPORTED TO DO.

AND IT WAS VETTED BY ELECTION -- NATIONAL ELECTION EXPERTS.

LET ME TELL YOU ONE OF THE NEGATIVE OUTCOMES WITHOUT THIS KIND OF PROTECTION FOR OUR NURSING HOME RESIDENTS.

THE REPORT THAT JUST CAME OUT SHOWS THAT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE SECURE VOTING ASSISTANCE IN NURSING HOMES, THEY LET ME READ THIS TO YOU, WISCONSIN ACTUALLY HAD SERIOUS PROBLEMS, THEY UNLAWFULLY VIOLATED THEIR RULES BY PROA -- OF PROTECTING NURSING HOME RESIDENTS WHICH RESULTED IN A 100% VOTING RATE IN MOST OF THEIR NURSING HOMES.

AND THESE ARE NURSING HOMES WITH DEMENTIA PATIENTS AND PATIENTS WHO ARE INELIGIBLE VOTERS, AND YET THEY WERE VOTING AT A 100% RATE.

BECAUSE THE STAFF IN THE NURSING HOMES WAS ILLEGALLY ASSISTING AND VOTING FOR THE RESIDENTS.

WE DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN, AND PEOPLE AND STAFF WHO ARE VOLUNTEERS TRAINED BY OUR ELECTIONS OFFICES, ARE NOT GOVERNMENT BALLOT HARVESTERS.

AND THAT IS A TERRIBLE -- >> Melissa Davlin: I'M GOING TO HAVE TO CUT YOU OFF.

KELCIE, THE NEXT QUESTION IS FOR CHLOROQUINE MCGRANE.

>> Kelcie Moseley-Morris: YOU ARE THE ONLY CANDIDATE IN THE RACE WHO HAS PLAYED A ROLE IN RUNNING AN ELECTION.

WHAT SPECIFICALLY DO YOU HAVE IN MIND FOR IMPROVING IT AT THE STATE LEVEL?

>> Phil McGrane: THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS ALREADY TOUCHED ON HERE, I BELIEVE YOU CAN HOLD CONSERVATIVE VALUES, AND STILL BUILD TRUST ACROSS ALL POLITICAL SPECTRUMS.

AND IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE DONE IN MY ROLE, BOTH AS COUNTY CLERK AND AS AN ELECTION SPECIALIST OVER THE YEARS.

I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THAT WE CAN DO IS TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND EDUCATION FOR OUR CLERKS AND FOR THE ELECTION WORKERS.

IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS I'M PROUD OF.

I'VE ALREADY TAKEN A LEADERSHIP ROLE.

FOUR YEARS AGO, I STARTED THE IDAHO ELECTIONS CONFERENCE.

BRINGING ELECTION OFFICIALS FROM ALL PARTS OF THE STATE TOGETER, TO LEARN AND TO WORK WITH EACH OTHER TO MAKE SURE WE'RE SHARING BEST PRACTICES, WE'RE LEARNING FROM EXPERTS ALL THROUGHOUT THE NATION, WE'RE HAVING LAW ENFORCEMENT COME IN AND DO TRAININGS ON SIGNATURE VERIFICATIONS, SOME OF THE OTHER IMPORTANT SKILLS TO MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTIONS.

I THINK WE CAN CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THAT.

ELECTIONS ARE COMPLEX.

AS WE HAVE MORE AND MORE VOTERS OVER A MILLION VOTERS DURING THE 2020 ELECTION, IT BECOMES MORE COMPLEX AND WE NEED THE TOOLS TO DEAL WITH THAT.

SOME OF THAT RELIES ON TECHNOLOGY.

WHEN I STARTED AND WE WERE USING PUNCH CARDS, WE WEREN'T WORRIED ABOUT CYBER SECURITY, AND ATTACKS FROM CHINA, OR RUSSIA OR ELSEWHERE.

NOW CYBER SECURITY IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES WE FACE.

AND I'M THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS WORKED ON THESE ISSUES, AND WORKED WITH PARTNERS BOTH AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL AND THE LOCAL LEVEL, INCLUDING THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE, TO MAKE SURE OUR ELECTIONS ARE SECURE.

I THINK WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT, BECAUS I REALLY DO BELIEVE THERE ARE TOOLS AND WAYS WE CAN MAKE VOTING BOTH ACCESSIBLE AND MORE SECURE AT THE SAME TIME.

>> Melissa Davlin: THE NEXT QUESTION IS FROM BETSY RUSSELL.

>> Betsy Russell: THIS QUESTION IS ABOUT WHERE YOU DRAW THE LINE BETWEEN WHAT YOU JUST MENTIONED, MAKING VOTER VOTING ACCESSIBLE, AND MAKING IT SO BURDENSOME THAT LEGITIMATE VOTERS CAN'T VOTE.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO ASK ALL THREE OF YOU, STARTING WITH CLERK MCGRANE, WHICH WOULD BE WORSE?

A FRAUDULENT VOTE BEING CAST, OR A LEGITIMATE VOTER BEING TURNED AWAY FROM EXERCISING THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE?

>> Phil McGrane: BETSY, YOU TOUCH ON A REALLY IMPORTANT ISSUE.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S MANY PEOPLE IN IDAHO WHO HAVE SPENT MORE TIME TRYING TO ENSURE ACCESS TO VOTERS THAN I HAVE.

EXPANDING THINGS LIKE EARLY VOTING, WHICH IS ACTUALLY OUR MOST SECURE FORM OF VOTING.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THIS QUESTION BRINGS TO MIND IS KIM WYMAN, THE REPUBLICAN SECRETARY OF STATE OF WASHINGTON.

SHE NOTED THIS LAST YEAR DISCUSSING SOME OF THE FEDERAL LEGISLATION WHERE THERE WAS AN EFFORT TO TAKE OVER ELECTIONS.

WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO THOUGHTFULLY ADDRESS THESE ISSUES.

OUR COUNTRY DOES HAVE A HISTORY OF VOTER FRAUD.

OUR COUNTRY DOES HAVE A HISTORY OF VOTER SUPPRESSION.

AND WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE HONEST CONVERSATIONS SO THAT WE DON'T MAKE VOTING SO DISIEWR THAT NO ONE CAN ACCESS IT, BUT ALSO WE DON'T MAKE IT SO OPEN THAT IT'S -- THERE'S OPPORTUNITY FOR FRAUD.

I THINK THIS BALANCING ACT IS SOMETHING THAT EVERYONE IS ALWAYS TRYING TO DO.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, OUR RIGHT TO VOTE IS A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT.

IT'S OUR OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN ON OUR GOVERNMENT.

IT'S OUR VOICE.

AND IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE PROTECT AND MAKE SURE THAT VOTERS HAVE ACCESS TO THE BALLOT BOX.

THERE'S TOO MANY EFFORTS TO TRY AND STOP VOTERS WHEN THERE ARE THE TOOLS TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THIS AND MAINTAIN THAT SECURITY.

AND IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THE SECRETARY OF STATE, BECAUSE OF MY EXPERIENCE IN ON THE GROUND WORK I'VE DONE, I'M READY TO WORK WITH ALL 44 CLERKS WITHOUT THE STATE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

>> Betsy Russell: SENATOR, THE SAME QUESTION.

WHICH WOULD BE WORSE, A FRAUDULENT VOTE BEING CAST, OR A LEGITIMATE VOTE BEING TURNED AWAY FROM EXERCISING THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE?

>> Mary Souza: I THINK THAT A LEGITIMATE VOTER BEING TURNED AWAY WOULD BE WORSE, BECAUSE THEY ARE LEGITIMATE.

HOWEVER, I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THOSE TWO.

I THINK WE CAN FIX OUR SYSTEM TO BE ACCESSIBLE, AND SAFE.

WE HAVE A VOTER I.D.

PROBLEM, AND AS REPRESENTATIVE MOON MENTIONED EARLIER, WE HAVE A SITUATION RIGHT NOW, AND I TRIED TO GET IT FIXED TWO SESSIONS AGO, BUT CLERK MCGRANE STOPPED IT, TELLING ME THAT WE DID NOT NEED TO CHANGE OUR AFFIDAVIT SYSTEM.

RIGHT NOW IF RYAN GOES IN AND DOESN'T HAVE HIS I.D.

AT THE POLLS, HE CAN JUST SAY OH, I LEFT IT IN MY CAR, I FORGOT, THEY WILL GIVE HIM A PAPER AFFIDAVIT, HE CAN SIGN HIS NAME, PROMISING HE IS WHO HE SAYS HE IS, THEY WILL GIVE HIM A BALLOT, HE WILL VOTE IT AND IT GOES IN WITH EVERYONE ELSE'S BALLOTS, CAN NEVER BE RETRIEVED OR IDENTIFIED AS IT SHOULD BE FOR BALLOTS NOT BEING ABLE TO BE IDENTIFIED.

BUT THEN WE HAVE THE POSSIBILITY THAT HE WAS AN UNREGISTERED VOTER.

THAT HE WAS FRAUDULENT.

LET ME JUST TELL YOU, IN THE SCHEME OF THINGS, BECAUSE WE TALK ABOUT VOTER SUPPRESSION, AND ALL THE REST OF IT.

BUT I WILL TELL YOU, THE CARTER BAKER COMMISSION IN 2005 SAID THAT PHOTO I.D.

IS ABSOLUTELY THE WAY WE SHOULD GO IN THE UNITED STATES.

AND OUR COUNTRY IS ONE OF THE VERY FEW WORLD DEMOCRACIES THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE VOTER I.D.

OF THE 47 COUNTRIES IN EUROPE, 46 OF THEM REQUIRE GOVERNMENT-ISSUED VOTER I.D.

>> Melissa Davlin: WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MOVE ON.

>> Mary Souza: PUBLIC OPINION STRONGLY FAVORS PHOTO I.D.

AT 78% ACROSS ALL DEMOGRAPHICS.

>> Melissa Davlin: WE HAVE TO MOVE ON.

30 SECONDS TO RESPOND AND THEN - >> Phil McGrane: I THINK IT'S MISREPRESENTATION.

I PROVIDED ALTERNATE LEGISLATION WHEN WE MET ON THAT TO ADDRESS PHOTO IDENTIFICATION.

ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO SHARE IS YOU HEAR THIS TALK ABOUT PHOTO I.D.

WITH THE TOOLS WE NOW USE, WE TRACK THIS.

AND IN ADA COUNTY, 98% OF VOTERS PROVIDED DRIVER'S LICENSE WHEN THEY VOTE.

1% PROVIDE THEIR PASSPORT WHEN THEY VOTE.

AND THE OTHER REMAINING PRESENT -- PERCENT, EITHER PROVIDE THEIR MILITARY I.D., TRIBAL I.D., THEIR STUDENT I.D., THEIR CONCEALED WEAPONS PERMIT, OR SIGN AN AFFIDAVIT.

THIS ISN'T A RAMPANT PROBLEM, JUST LIKE IT'S BEING EXPRESSED.

WE HAVE CONTROLS AND IN PLACE WE CAN TRACK IT AND ENFORCE OUR LAWS AT EACH POLLING LOCATION.

>> Melissa Davlin: WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

[TALKING AT ONCE] SENATOR SOUZA, WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

>> Betsy Russell: I WOULD LIKE TO POSE THE SAME QUESTION.

WHICH WOULD BE WORST, A FRAUDULENT VOTE BEING CAST OR A LEGITIMATE VOTER BEING TURNED AWAY?

>> Dorothy Moon: I'M GOING TO SAY THE FRAUDULENT VOTER.

I'M GOING TO SAY THE FRAUDULENT VOTER, BECAUSE IT'S AGAINST THE LAW.

THEY HAVE NO CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO BE VOTING.

AS FAR AS THE LEGITIMATE VOTER BEING TURNED AWAY, I WILL MAKE SURE AS YOUR NEXT SECRETARY OF STATE THAT WE HAVE A HUGE ELECTION PROCESS OF MAKING SURE EVERYBODY THOSE WHERE THEIR PRECINCT IS.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIRED PAPERWORK FOR YOUR FIRST-TIME REGISTRATION?

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BRING WHEN YOU VOTE?

SO IF YOU DON'T HAVE A DRIVER'S LICENSE BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO DRIVE, YOU CAN STILL GET THE GOVERNMENT-ISSUED I.D.

MAYBE WE NEED TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THEY CAN GET ONE THAT DOESN'T HAVE THE PRIVILEGES SO THEY CAN STILL HAVE A GOVERNMENT-ISSUED I.D.

THESE ARE THE THINGS I WOULD TRY TO GET OUT IN SUBSERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR I.D., GO GET A STATE GOVERNMENT I.D.

WITH NO PRIVILEGES FOR $20, AND IF NOT, HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET SOME FUNDS TO PAY FOR THAT.

AS I HAD IN THE BILL OF MY SECURE ELECTION ACT FOR ANYBODY WHO CAN AFFORD AN I.D.

SO ANYWAY, IT WOULD BE THE FRAUDULENT VOTER.

THAT WOULD BE THE ONE FOR ME.

>> Dorothy Moon: COULD I RESPOND?

>> Melissa Davlin: WE NEED TO MOVE ON.

THE NEXT QUESTION IS FROM BETSY.

>> Betsy Russell: THIS QUESTION IS ABOUT THE LAND BOARD.

WE WANT TO SQUEEZE IT IN.

THE LAND BOARD ON WHICH THE SECRETARY OF STATE SERVES IS CHARGED BY THE IDAHO CONSTITUTION WITH MANAGING THE STATE ENDOWMENT FOR MAXIMUM LONG-TERM RETURNS TO THE EBEN FISHERIES, THE LARGEST OF WHICH IS IDAHO'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

CLERK MCGRANE, HOW COULD YOU THINK THE BOARD CAN BEST ACCOMPLISH THAT AND WHAT IF ANYTHING WOULD YOU CHANGE IN THE CURRENT DIRECTION?

>> Phil McGrane: THANK YOU.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE TALK ABOUT OUR LANDS.

SO MANY PEOPLE MOVE HERE BECAUSE OF THE VALUE OF OUR LANDS AND THE RESOURCES.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION THIS ENDOWMENT THAT WE CAN PROVIDE THESE TOOLS AND THE FUNDING THAT YOU MENTIONED.

ONE OF THE UNIQUE THINGS THAT I BRING TO THE LAND BOARD IS I'M CURRENTLY THE ONLY TURN RUNNING FOR A LAND BOARD POSITION NOT RUNNING FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL.

AND I HAVE THE RELATIONSHIPS NECESSARY TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS ROLE.

I'M PROUD TO HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THESE ASSOCIATED LOGGING CONTRACTORS, THE CATTLE ASSOCIATION, THE GRAIN PRODUCERS, AND ALL THE PEOPLE WHO WORK HARD USING OUR LAND IN THIS STATE.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE THOSE RELATIONSHIPS SO WE CAN MAXIMIZE THE VALUE.

THE LAND BOARD IS FACING SOME TOUGH DECISIONS.

AS MORE AND MORE PEOPLE MOVE TO IDAHO, WE'VE ALL EXPERIENCED AND SEEN THE RISE IN PROPERTY VALUES.

AND NOW WE HAVE THE CHALLENGE WHERE SOMETIMES THE SOIL IS WORTH MORE THAN THE RESOURCES THAT ARE GROWING ON TOP OF THEM.

TIMBER HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR USE OF OUR LANDS, AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THAT, BUT ALSO LOOK AT THIS LONG-TERM INVESTMENT.

I HAVE KIDS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION RIGHT NOW.

AND I WANT TO ENSURE THAT NOT JUST THEY BENEFIT FROM IT, BUT HOPEFULLY SOME DAY IN THE FUTURE, MY GRANDKIDS AND GREAT GRANDKIDS WILL BE BENEFICIARIES OF OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM, AND HAVE ACCESS TO THE LANDS THAT SO MANY OF US ENJOY.

>> Betsy Russell: REPRESENTATI VE MOON, SAME QUESTION.

WOULD YOU STICK WITH THE DIRECTION THE LAND BOARD HAS BEEN GOING TO MAXIMIZE THE LONG-TERM RETURNS, OR WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?

>> Dorothy Moon: I'D GIVE THEM A LITTLE GUIDANCE.

I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN LANDS FOR DECADES NOW.

AS -- WITH MY MASTER'S IN RESOURCE PLANNING AND LIVING AMONGST THE FIRES, AND AMONGST THE WILDLIFE, AND SEEING ALL THE DAMAGE THAT'S BEEN DONE BECAUSE WE CAN'T GET ANY FUELS REDUCTION PROGRAMS DONE IN THAT -- ESPECIALLY IN THE SALMON CHALICE, I THINK ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING THINGS WITH THE LAND BOARD AND WORKING WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF LANDS IS THE GOOD NEIGHBOR AUTHORITY.

YES, WE DO HARVEST TIMBER ON OUR ENDOWMENT LANDS FOR OUR SCHOOLS.

THAT'S A GIVEN.

BUT NOW SINCE 2015, THE GOOD NEIGHBOR AUTHORITY CAME INTO THIS STATE AND WOULD ALLOW US THE STATE TO GO INTO THE FEDERL LANDINGS AND ACTUALLY SURVEY, CRUISE IT, MARKET IT AND AUCTION IT OFF.

THE STATE WOULD GET THE PROCEEDS FROM THOSE FUNDS.

WHICH IS EXCITING, BECAUSE THEN WE CAN GO ON AND KEEP CLEANING UP THE FOREST BECAUSE THE POOR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS TIED UP IN LEGISLATION AND LAW SUITS SO OFTEN THEY CAN'T DO THE REAL CHARGE.

IT WOULD BE NICE, THOUGH, IF THE IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF LANDS COULD BE FUNDED MORE SO FROM THE RESOURCES THAN THEY CURRENTLY ARE.

BECAUSE IF YOU REMEMBER WITH THE FOREST SERVICE, BACK IN THE '70s, BEFORE ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS CAME DOWN, THE FOREST SERVICE WAS SELF-SUSTAINING FOR MINING PERMITS, FROM LOGGING PERMITS, FROM WOOD CUTTING PERMITS, AND IT WAS ALL TAKEN CARE OF.

BUT NOW WE'RE ALWAYS TAPPING INTO GENERAL FUNDS, WE'RE GETTING INTO MONEY WE DON'T NEED TO BE GETTING INTO.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE LAND BOARD IS SELF-SUSTAINING OFF THE RESOURCES WE USE TO MANAGE THE LANDS.

>> Betsy Russell: SENATOR SOUZA, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE DIRECTION THE LAND BOARD HAS TAKEN.

>> Mary Souza: THANK YOU, BETSY.

I'M VERY SURPRISED TO HEAR REPRESENTATIVE MOON'S ANSWER.

BECAUSE WE HAVE LOST HERE IN IDAHO, WE HAVE LOST 40% OF OUR FOREST FIREFIGHTERS, AND -- BECAUSE OUR PAY LEVEL IS LESS THAN A FAST FOOD BURGER FLIPPER.

AND THEY HAVE GONE TO OTHER STATES OR TO FEDERAL SYSTEMS.

IN THE PAST, THIS PAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION, IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF LANDS, THEIR BUDGET BILL CAME THROUGH WITH A SLIGHT INCREASE IN BASE PAY FOR THE WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS, UP TO $15 AN HOUR.

AND SEPARATE BILL CAME THROUGH FOR HAZARD PAY FOR THOSE FOREST FIREFIGHTERS, BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT ALL OF OUR SURROUNDING STATES AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ARE OFFERING.

REPRESENTATIVE MOON VOTED NO ON EACH OF THOSE BILLS.

I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO BE REASONABLE WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE AT RISK ON THE FIRE LINES.

WE NEED TO PROTECT THEM AND WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR FOREST, WHICH GIVE US THE RESOURCES AND THE GOOD NEIGHBOR AUTHORITY IS GREAT.

BUT NONE OF THE SALES OF THAT TIMBER GO INTO OUR ENDOWMENT.

AND IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF LANDS TOLD ME THAT THEMSELVES.

SO WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE THE ENDOWMENT, AND WE USE IT FOR OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, BUT WE HAVE TO ALSO TAKE CARE OF OUR GRAZING LAND AND ALL OF THE OTHER ISSUES THAT COME BEFORE THE LAND BOARD.

>> Melissa Davlin: WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME, BUT I'LL GIVE YOU 20 SECONDS.

>> Dorothy Moon: I'VE GOT A COMMENT THAT I DIDN'T VOTE FOR IT.

NO, I DIDN'T.

ONE BUCKET IS CALLED GENERAL FUNDS AND THE OTHER BUCKET OF MONEY IS THE FIGHTING FUNDS ASSESSMENT THAT EVERY PERSON WHO LIVES NEAR THE FOREST, BE IT BOISE, CHALICE, WE GET STUCK WITH THE FEE.

I PAY $55 A YEAR EVERY YEAR TO GO TOWARD FUEL SUPPRESSION AND OTHER THINGS THEY'RE PUTTING OUT FOREST FIRES.

THE FACT OF THE MATT HASSELBECK IS, THAT MONEY WAS $9 MILLION THAT WENT TO THE IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF LANDS, THEY CAN USE THAT MONEY TO PAY EXTRA MONEY TO FIREFIGHTERS.

IT SHOULD NOT BE COMING OUT OF STATE GENERAL FUNDS.

>> Melissa Davlin: VERY TO LEAVE IT THERE BECAUSE WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME.

>> MAXIMUM OF $400,000 -- >> Melissa Davlin: THANK YOU.

THE LAST QUESTION IS FROM KELCIE, AND YOU'LL EACH HAVE 45 SECONDS TO ANSWER.

>> Kelcie Moseley-Morris: THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR PUBLICLY TRACKING ELECTED OFFICIALS, CAMPAIGN DONATIONS.

BUT THEY'VE ALSO BEEN CRITICIZED AS BEING TOOTHLESS WITH LOW PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS.

SHOULD THE ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAW BE STRONGER?

FIRST ANSWER TO SENATOR SOUZA.

>> Mary Souza: THANK YOU, KELCIE.

I WILL PLAN, AS SECRETARY OF STATE, TO SIT DOWN WITH ALL INTERESTED PARTIES AND REVIEW OUR SUNSHINE CAMPAIGN DONATIONS LAWS.

BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN -- THERE HAVE BEEN CHANGES HERE AND THERE IN THE LAWS, BUT NOTHING CONSISTENT ACROSS THE BOARD.

AND SO I THINK WE HAVE A BUMPY RIDE.

I'VE HAD ALL KINDS OF COMPLAINTS AS I'VE BEEN AROUND THIS STATE.

THERE ARE SOME GROUPS THAT ARE CLAIMING THAT THEY ARE HAVING A RAFFLE, THEY'VE BEEN HAVING A RAFFLE FOR A T-SHIRT OR HAT, AND PEOPLE PUT $5 IN FOR A TICKET, AND THEY ARE TOLD BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE THAT THEY HAVE TO HAVE EVERYBODY'S NAME, ADDRESS, ALL OF THEIR CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THAT $5 DONATION.

SO WE HAVE TO HAVE A CONSISTENT, AND WE HAVE TO SIT DOWN AND WORK OUT SOMETHING THAT HAS COMMON SENSE AND WORK FOR IDAHO.

>> Dorothy Moon: THE DARK MONEY IS A CONCERN OF MINE, AND I'M SURE FOR EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM.

BUT THE DARK MONEY IS A BIG CONCERN, OUT OF STATE INFLUENCE COMING IN OUR DIRECTION, THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THERE'S A LOT OF PACS THAT POP UP, THERE WILL BE ONE GROUP THAT MAKES MULTIPLE PACs.

I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS AS FAR AS THIS HIDDEN MONEY THAT KEEPS MAKING ITS WAY TO CANDIDATES, FOR DIFFERENT GROUPS.

OTHER THAN THAT, I THINK THE REPORTING, THE MONTHLY REPORTING ESPECIALLY NOW THEY'VE GOT THE COMPUTER PROGRAM UP AND RUNNING, AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, YOU TRIED TO LOOK BACK IN DECEMBER AND NOVEMBER, IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S WEBSITE.

THANKFULLY IT IS UP AND RUNNING AND IT'S PRETTY EASY TO NAVIGATE.

WE DO NEED TO WORK ON THE REPORT, THERE'S SOME THINGS THAT NEED TO BE WORKED ON.

>> Phil McGrane: I'M PROUD TO HAVE WORKED ON THIS ISSUE AND TRIED TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT HERE IN IDAHO.

SPECIFICALLY ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS.

I WORK CLOSELY WITH THE INTERIM COMMITTEE ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM, FOUR YEARS AGO TO IMPROVE OUR SYSTEM.

IT USED TO BE IN IDAHO THAT THERE WERE 79 DIFFERENT ENTITIES IN WHICH PEOPLE WOULD REPORT PUBLIC CAMPAIGN FINANCE INFORMATION.

IT WAS INACCESSIBLE.

EVEN THE LEGALLY REPORTED INFORMATION WAS DIFFICULT TO FIND OUT WHO WAS GIVING TO WHOM, WHERE THE MONEY WAS GOING.

WE CONSOLIDATED ALL OF THAT INTO THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE IN ONE SOURCE.

SO ANYONE CAN LOOK AT THAT INFORMATION.

WE CONTINUE TO NEED TO IMPROVE.

I AGREE GREATER TRANSPARENCY IS IMPORTANT.

THAT INCLUDES THE MONTHLY REPORTING THAT WE HAVE.

BUT ONE OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO DO IS MAKE IT EASIER FOR CANDIDATES TO COMPLY.

IF WE CAN IMPROVE OUR LAWS TO MAKE THEM SIMPLER FOR PEOPLE TO COMPLY WE CAN BEGIN TO BETTER ENFORCE OUR LAWS TO HOLD THOSE TRYING TO INFLUENCE OUR POLITICIANS ACCOUNTABLE.

>> Melissa Davlin: IT IS TIME FOR CLOSING STATEMENTS AND CLERK MCGRANE YOU'RE UP FIRST.

>> Phil McGrane: THANK YOU, AND THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO WORKED TO PUT THIS ON.

IF THERE'S ONE THING THAT STANDS OUT IS JUST THANK YOU TO YOU AS A VIEWER FOR WATCHING AND BEING INFORMED AND ENGAGED.

OUR REPUBLIC DEPENDS ON PEOPLE LIKE YOU.

AND IF THERE'S ANYTHING YOU TAKE AWAY, PLEASE VOTE.

THE ELECTION IS ON MAY 17th.

AND THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ELECTION FOR OUR STATE.

AND IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT IDAHOANS COME OUT AND VOTE IN OUR PRIMARY.

SO MANY RACES WILL BE DETERMINED HERE.

I HOPE THAT IT HAS STOOD OUT.

I'VE SPENT MY ENTIRE CAREER WORKING ON ELECTIONS AND MAKING SURE IDAHO'S ELECTIONS STAND OUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AND I WILL CONTINUE AS SECRETARY OF STATE TO FIGHT TO PRESERVE THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTIONS GOING FORWARD, AND WILL BUILD ON OUR SYSTEM.

AS I MENTIONED IN THE BEGINNING, I'M PROUD TO BE AN IDAHOAN, I'M PROUD OF THE VALUES I WAS RAISED ON, AND I WANT MY KIDS TO BE JUST AS BLESSED AS I HAVE.

I'M PHIL McGRANE, AND I'M RUNNING TO BE YOUR NEXT REPUBLICAN SECRETARY OF STATE.

>> Melissa Davlin: SENATOR SOUTH.

>> Mary Souza: THANK YOU, MELISSA.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE ORGANIZED THIS EVENING.

THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION AND MY MEMBERSHIP IN THE -- ON THE SELECTION PROJECT HAS BROUGHT ME CLOSE TO THESE PEOPLE.

THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION DID A REVIEW, AN ELECTION INTEGRITY SCORE CARD FOR EVERY STATE.

IDAHO IS RANKED 38th OUT OF 50.

WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO IN IDAHO TO SECURE OUR ELECTIONS.

BUT IT'S A BIT LIKE GOING OUT TO GET IN YOUR CAR IN THE MORNING AND YOU REALIZE YOU'VE LEFT THE GARAGE DOOR OPEN.

YOU LOOK AROUND, YOU CHECK EVERYTHING, IT LOOKS OKAY.

AND YOU FEEL RELIEVED.

BUT YOU KNOW THE NEIGHBOR DOWN THE STREET AND OTHER PEOPLE IN PROBLEMS WITH THEFT AND DAMAGE.

SO YOU -- DO YOU LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN THE NEXT NIGHT?

OF COURSE NOT.

YOU CLOSE IT.

THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO HERE IN IDAHO.

BECAUSE OF MY BACKGROUND ON THE HONEST SELECTION PROJECT, AND THE INFORMATION FROM THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION, WE KNOW WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO SECURE OUR ELECTIONS IN IDAHO.

I HAVE A LIST, I'M WILLING TO DO IT.

WE HAVE TO SECURE OUR VOTE BECAUSE IT IS THE BASIS OF ALL OF OUR FREEDOMS.

I'M SENATOR MARY SOUZA RUNNING FOR SECRETARY OF STATE, AND I WILL SECURE THE ELECTION SYSTEM AND PROTECT YOUR VOTE.

>> Melissa Davlin: THANK YOU, SENATORS.

>> Dorothy Moon: THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THIS FORUM ON, IT'S BEEN ENJOYABLE.

I'M AGAIN DOROTHY MOON, AND I DO WANT TO BE YOUR NEXT SECRETARY OF STATE.

I KNOW OUTSIDE INFLUENCES COME INTO THIS STATE, THE GOOD SENATOR HAS GONE AFTER THE CLERK ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS ABOUT TAKING ZUCKERBERG MONEY, BUT SHE'S ALSO VOTED FOR A METADATA CENTER, AND NOW ZUCKERBERG WILL HAVE A PERMANENT FOOTPRINT.

HE'S HERE, BUT THE SAD PART IS, AS A RESOURCE PERSON THAT DATA CENTER IS GOING TO TAKE 70,000 GALLONS OF WATER FROM OUR AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY.

WE'VE GOT TO BE VERY WISE WHEN WE MAKE SLOATS.

I DIDN'T VOTE FOR IT, SHE DID.

AGAIN, MR. MCGRANE TOOK THE ZUCKERBERG MONEY.

WE NEED SOMEONE WHO CAN LOOK DEEPER INTO A BILL AND ALSO LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE.

AND THE BIG PICTURE IDAHO WANTS TO REMAIN IDAHO.

WE WANT TO KEEP OUR RURAL VALUES.

WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE BIG GLOBALIST TECH COMPANIES COMING IN TO THIS STATE.

AT LEAST NOT FROM THE PEOPLE I HEAR FROM.

I WOULD DEFINITELY WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT WE SHORE UP OUR ELECTIONS AND THAT WE HAVE FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IN OUR REPUBLIC WILL BE SALVAGED BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO DO THE RIGHT THING HERE IN ISES AND I'M DOROTHY MOON RUNNING FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

>> Melissa Davlin: THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING, WE'LL SEE YOU AT THE POLLS.

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