>>> HELLO, I'M CLARE SIMS REPORTER FOR FOX 5 HERE IN ATLANTA.

WELCOME TO THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB.

THIS IS A DEBATE AMONG CANDIDATES FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

LET'S MEET THE CANDIDATES FOR THE DEBATE.

THEY ARE IN ALPHABET CAL ORDER, FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE, ENTREPRENEUR AND AMBASSADOR OF GOOD WILL: AN EDUCATOR OF FULTON COUNTY.

FLOYD HIEROGLYPH IN,á-- FLOYD GRIFFIN.

AND MICHAEL OWENS, A VETERAN AND NOW LET'S MEET OUR PANELISTS.

STANLEY DUNLAP COVERS POLITICS FOR THE GEORGIA REPORTER.

AND MARK REPORTS ON ELECTIONS AND GEORGIA GOVERNMENT FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION.

FOR COMPLETE RULES ON TODAY'S DEBATE, PLEASE VISIT THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB WEBSITE AT ATLANTA PRESS CLUB.ORG.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL BE ASKED ONE QUESTION BY ONE OF OUVRIERE PANELISTS.

CANDIDATES HAVE 60 SECONDS TO ANSWER EACH QUESTION.

STANLEY, YOU HAVE THE FIRST QUESTION TO FLOYD GRIFFIN.

>> HI, MR.áGRIFFIN.

>> HOW ARE YOU?

>> NOT ONLY GEORGIA, BUT ACROSS THE NATION.

SECRETARY OF STATE, YOU WOULD SERVE AS THE STATE'S TOP ELECTION CHIEF.

WHAT IS THE MOST TROUBLING A ASPECT OF THE NEWER ELECTION LAW?

WHAT WOULD YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH DEALING WITH THAT ISSUE WHILE PROPOSING WHAT IS LAW?

>> FIRST, THE ELECTION LAW IS THE LAW.

AND I HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO CARRY OUT THAT LAW.

BUT WHAT I'M GOING TO DO, I WILL AUDIT THIS ELECTION THAT WE ARE IN TO DETERMINE WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO TRY TO MAKE CORRECTIONS.

ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS I WOULD DO IS GO AROUND THE STATE AND HAVE A LISTENING SESSION WITHIN THE FIRST 90, 180 DAYS.

THAT'S PART OF MY ON BOARDING AND FIND OUT WHAT IS THE CONCERN OF THE CITIZENS ABOUT THE ELECTIONS.

AND THEN WE WILL IMPLEMENT THAT PLAN BECAUSE I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE CITIZENS TO DETERMINE WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE PRESENT LAW THAT'S IN PLACE.

>> THAT'S YOUR TIME.

MARK, IT'S YOUR TURN TO ASK A QUESTION TO MR.áJOHN EAVES.

>> YOU TALKED ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AT THE FULTON COUNTY COMMISSION.

I'D LIKE TO HEAR OF A SPECIFIC POLICY, SOMETHING YOU WOULD DO AS SECRETARY OF STATE IF YOU WERE ELECT TODAY THAT POSITION.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MARK, FOR THE QUESTION.

AS YOU INDICATED, YES, I WAS CHAIRMAN OF FULTON COUNTY FOR 11 YEARS, DID A LOT OF DEGREES THINGS ESPECIALLY IN THE AREA OF VOTING.

VERY PROUD OF THE FACT WE INCREASED VOTER PARTICIPATION DURING MY WATCH AS CHAIRMAN OF FULTON COUNTY.

350 PRECINCTS, $69 MILLION BUDGET.

AND SO WE DID A GOOD JOB.

SO, AS SECRETARY OF STATE, I WILL SPECIFICALLY COME UP WITH STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

FULTON COUNTY IS VERY PROGRESSIVE IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF PRECINCTS THAT WE HAD, THAT'S GREAT.

BUT THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE IN TERMS OF THE SMALLER COUNTIES THAT HAVE A LOT FEWER PRECINCTS.

I WOULD COME UP WITH MORE STANDARDIZATION, CONSISTENCY ACROSS THE BOARD.

SO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES IN TERMS OF HOW EACH COUNTY ON THE LOCAL LEVEL WITH CAN EXECUTE ITS ELECTIONS IN THE MOST EFFICIENT, MOST OUTREACH INCLUSIVE WAY THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU.

STANLEY, YOUR QUESTION FOR D. DAWKINS HAGGLER.

>> WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE, WHETHER YOU BELIEVE THE ELECTION, THE RESULTS ARE VALID OR NOT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE QUESTIONING THEIR CONFIDENCE IN THE ELECTION SYSTEM.

HOW AS SECRETARY OF STATE WOULD YOU TRY TO KIND OF BRIDGE THAT GAP AND MAKE PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT THE RESULTS ARE VALID AND FAIR?

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

AND SO THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS THE JOB OF MAKING SURE THEY WORK WITH ALL 159 COUNTY BOARDS OF ELECTION TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAN RUN THE MOST EFFICIENT ELECTIONS THAT THEY ARE.

BUT LET'S BE VERY CLEAR.

THE BIG LIE THAT'S OUT THERE NOW, THAT THE ELECTION WAS NOT FAIR OR THAT IT WAS NOT TRUE, IS JUST THAT, A BIG LIE.

WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS RECOUNTS.

WE HAVE DEALT WITH MILLIONS OF DOLLARS BEING SPENT ON A FALLACIOUS TALE THAT LED TO THE JANUARY 6 INSURRECTION.

SO AS SECRETARY OF STATE, I WILL MAKE SURE THAT I INCREASE THE BUDGET AS IT RELATES TO EDUCATION SO THAT PEOPLE WHO AREá-- VOTERS WILL UNDERSTAND YOUR VOTE IS SACRED AND YOUR VOTE IS PROTECTED AND THAT I WILL DO A GOOD JOB WORKING WITH ALL OF THE BOARDS OF ELECTION AS WELL AS THE CONSTITUENTS ACROSS THE STATE OF GEORGIA, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY WHOSE VOTES ARE CONTINUOUSLY BEING SUPPRESSED TO MAKE SURE THEIR VOTES ARE COUNTED.

>> MARK, YOU GET THE NEXT QUESTION TO B. WINNE.

>> HOW CONCERNED ARE YOU ABOUT CYBER SECURITY THREATS TO GEORGIA'S VOTING SYSTEM?

THERE HAVE BEEN OUTSIDE EXPERTS WHO HAVE SAID THAT THERE IS THE POTENTIAL, POSSIBILITY THAT THERE COULD, UNDER THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES BE HACKED?

AND IF YOU ARE CONCERNED, WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?

SHOULD WE SWITCH AS A STATE TO HANDS MARK PAPER BALLOTS?

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION, MARK.

IN 2018 WHEN WE DEBATED BILL 316, EVERY ELECTION EXPERT IN CYBER SECURITY EXPERT TOLD US THAT HAND MARKED PAPER BALLOTS WITH AN AUDITABLE TRAIL IS THE MOST SECURE FORM OF VOTING.

WHICH IS WHY I FOUGHT SO HARD FOR THAT SYSTEM IN 2019.

THAT BEING SAID, THE RESULTS OF THE 2020 ELECTION ARE STILL THE SAME.

WE'VE DONE THREE RECOUNTS.

WE'VE DONE AN AUDIT AND GEORGIANS DELIVERED A WIN FOR THE PRESIDENCY.

AS SECRETARY OF STATE, I WOULD ADVOCATE TO MOVING TOWARDS A HAND MARKED PAPER BALLOT SYSTEM WITH AN AUDITABLE TRAIL SO VOTERS CAN DETERMINE WHO THEY VOTED FOR.

THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE PASSAGE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

I WOULD FIGHT TO ENSURE WE HAVE FAITH IN THE ELECTIONS IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

>> STANLEY, YOU GET THE FINAL QUESTION.

>> I'LL FOLLOW-UP WITH VOTER ELECTION, WHAT YOU CONSIDER IS A GREAT RISK OR THREAT TO OUR SYSTEM.

WHAT'S THE GREATEST RISK AND WHAT STEPS WOULD YOU TAKE TO DEAL WITH THAT ISSUE?

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.

THE GREATEST RISK AS IT RELATES TO OUR CYBER SECURITY QUESTION, WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT DON'T UNDERSTAND TLETS WHENá-- THREATS TO CYBER SECURITY.

WE HAVE THREATS FROM CHINA, AND OTHERS TRYING TO MANIPULATE THE ELECTION SYSTEM.

WE HAVE SO MAKE SURE OUR ELECTIONS ARE FREE, FAIR, SAFE AND SECURE.

AS SECRETARY OF STATE, THAT'S WHAT I'LL LOOK FORWARD TO DOING.

I UNDERSTAND THE BACKGROUND.

I WAS NAMED ONE OF THE TOP 100 CYBER SECURITY EXPERTS IN THE WORLD.

I WANT TO THROW MY LIFE'S WORK AS BEING SECRETARY OF STATE.

I UNDERSTAND EVERYBODY'S VOTE HAS TO MATTER AND EVERYONE HAS TO HAVE FAITH AND TRUST.

THAT IS THE CORNERSTONE OF OUR DEMOCRACY.

NOT ONLY FROM A DEMOCRATIC PERSPECTIVE, BUT REPUBLICANS ON EVERY SIDE OF THE AISLE HAS CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON I. I HAVE TO MAKE SURE I DO WHAT I CAN END TO END TO MAKE SURE ALL VOTERS' INFORMATION IS SAFE AND SECURE.

>> THANK YOU.

THAT CONCLUDES THE FIRST ROUND OF OUR DEBATE.

THE CANNED DAD'S WILL NOW ASK A QUESTION TO AN OPPONENT OF THEIR CHOICE.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE 30 SECONDS TO ASK THE QUESTION, 60 SECONDS TO RESPOND, AND THE CANDIDATE WHO ASKS THE QUESTION WILL HAVE 30 SECONDS NOR A REBUTTAL.

BY RANDOM SELECTS, B. WINNE, YOU MAY ASK THE FIRST QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MY QUESTION IS FOR SENATOR FLOYD, MY FRIEND.

YOU SERVED IN THE GEORGIA SENATE AND I'VE SERVED IN THE GEORGIA HOUSE.

AND I RECOGNIZE AND VALUE THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING OUR LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE MATTERS TO THIS RACE WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

AND UNDERSTANDING HOW TO NAVIGATE 236 DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES THAT ARE VERY STRONG.

CAN YOU SHARE WITH US WHY YOU THINK YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A LAWMAKER HAS BEEN IMPORTANT FOR YOU IN THIS ROLE?

>> WOW, THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

AND I ASK YOU ALL TO VISIT MY WEBSITE, FLOYD FOR GEORGIA.COM, AND IT WILL GIVE YOU THE BACKGROUND OF ME BEING NOT ONLY IN THE GEORGIA LEGISLATURE, BUT MY ENTIRE CAREER AS A RETIRED ARMY COLONEL SERVING IN VIETNAM AND AS THE MAYOR OF MILLAGEVILLE.

THOSE YEARS I SERVED IN THE LEGISLATURE WAS ABSOLUTELY WHAT'S NEEDED INá-- AS A SECRETARY OF STATE TO MAKE CHANGES AS I MOVE ALONG ON MY VISION TO IMPROVE AND MAKE THE SECRETARY OF STATE THE BEST SECRETARY OF STATE OPERATIONS IN THE COUNTRY.

>> REPRESENTATIVE WINNE, YOU GET 30 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU, SENATOR.

AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE IN VIETNAM.

I HAVE THANKED YOU MANY TIMES AND I WILL CONTINUE TO LET YOU KNOW I RESPECT YOUR SERVICE BECAUSE YOU ENABLED MY FAMILY TO COME HERE AND HELP US RESTART SO THAT I COULD START A NONPROFIT, SO THAT I COULD RUN FOR STATE LEGISLATURE AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RUN FOR THIS OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> MICHAEL OWENS, YOU GET THE NEXT QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU.

MY QUESTION IS FOR DR.áEAST.

DR.áEAST, MYSELF BEING A FORMER CHAIR OF COBB COUNTY TO EXPAND THE BALLOT FOR 486,000 PEOPLE, AS CHAIR OF THE FULTON COUNTY COMMISSION, YOU HAVE WORKED DIRECTLY WITH THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TO MAKE SURE OUR ELECTION SYSTEMS CAN BE FUNDED.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO THE VOLTERS HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO HAVE A BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS THAT IS WILLING TO FUND THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE FUNDED NECESSARY TO BE ABLE TO CARRY OUT THEIR MISSION TO ENGAGE VOTERS?

>> THANK YOU, MY FRIEND.

SO, AS CHAIRMAN OF FULTON COUNTY, MY RESPONSIBILITY WAS TO WORK WITH SIX OTHER COMMISSIONERS AND TO BUILD CONSENSUS AND TO HOLD THE LOCAL ELECTION BOARD ACCOUNTABLE IN TERMS OF POLICY, RECOMMENDATIONS AS WELL AS BUDGET PROPOSALS TO FUND THE ELECTIONS.

AS I POINTED OUT MANY TIMES ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, WE FUNDED BETWEEN 6 AND $9 MILLION A YEAR.

AND SO VERY PROUD OF THE FACT THAT WE WERE ABLE TO GET CONSENSUS AND UNANIMOUS VOTES, BIPARTISAN, NORTH AND SOUTH FULTON GETS 356 PRECINCTS ACROSS FULTON COUNTY AS WELL AS FUNDING ALL THE POLL WORKERS THAT ARE NEEDED TO WATCH EACH OF THESE ELECTIONS.

SO VERY, VERY PROUD OF THAT RECORD.

AND I PLAN TO CARRY THAT MIND-SET AS OUR NEXT SECRETARY OF STATE IN TERMS OF DOING ALL THAT I CAN TO FUND ELECTION SUPPORT, LOCAL ELECTION BOARDS, WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH LOCAL BOARD OF COMMISSIONS THAT ARE DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, AND I HAVE A GREAT TRACK RECORD OF WORKING IN A BIPARTISAN WAY SO I BRING THAT TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.

>> TIME FOR YOUR REBUTTAL.

YOU GET 30 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU.

I THINK IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT WE SPEND OUR TAX DOLLARS EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY TO ENSURE WE ARE ENABLING ALL OF OUR BOARD OF ELECTIONS ACROSS THE STATE, ALL 159 OF THEM, TO BE ABLE TO HOLD FAIR, FREE AND SECURE ELECTIONS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK IN THE PAST FOR THAT.

I LOOK FORWARD AS YOUR NEXT SECRETARY OF STATE TO BEING ABLE TO ENGAGE MORE AND HAVE END TO END SOLIDARITY WITH OUR BOARDS OF ELECTIONS, ENSURE THAT WE ARE EMPOWERING THEM AND WE HAVE FAIR AND FREE ELECTIONS.

THANK YOU.

>> D. DAWKINS HAGGLER, IT'S YOUR TURN TO QUESTION ONE OF YOUR OPPONENTS.

>> THIS QUESTION GOES TO REPRESENTATIVE B. NGUYEN.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

I KNOW ITS WHAT A HARD FOUGHT SESSION.

CAN YOU TELL ME IN 2021, 2022 WHAT COULD THE ASSEMBLY HAVE DONE DIFFERENT FROM PASSING SUCH ARCHAIC BILLS?

>> THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE HAGGLER, FOR THAT QUESTION.

SERVING IN A POLARIZING CLIMATE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THE PAST FIVE YEARS, I'VE BEEN AT THE FRONT BATTLING SENATE BILL 202.

AND IN THOSE TIMES WE HAVE STOOD UP AGAINST A REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED HOUSE, A REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED SENATE AND EVERY SINGLE STATEWIDE OFFICE BEING HELD BY REPUBLICANS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I AM PROUD OF IS THE EFFORTS THAT WE HAVE MADE TO STOP SOME OF THESE BAD BILLS, INCLUDING GUTTING A PROVISION THAT WOVENá-- WOULD HAVE ENABLED ANY PERSON TO PUBLICLY COME IN AND INSPECT OUR BALLOT PRE-CERTIFICATION OF ELECTION.

THIS IS ABOUT UNDERSTANDING HOW TO MANEUVER THE LEGISLATE YOU'RE UNDER A POLARIZING AND TOXIC ENVIRONMENT.

I WILL CONTINUE AS SECRETARY OF STATE TO WORK WITHIN THAT LEGISLATIVE BODY TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE FIGHTING FOR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IN ALL 159 COUNTIES.

>> REPRESENTATIVE DAWKINS HAGGLER, YOUR RESPONSE.

>> I THANK YOU FOR THAT.

I WISH THE LEGISLATURE HAD WENT A STEP FORWARD AS FAR AS MAYBE DOING WHAT THEY DID IN TEXAS, AND SKIPPING STATE ALTOGETHER.

MAYBE DO WHAT THEY DID IN OTHER STATES.

I DO GIVE APPLAUSE FOR STANDING UP TO RUDY GIULIANI, BUT I DO THINK THAT OVERALL, MORE THINGS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE AGGRESSIVELY TO STOP THE REPUBLICANS, EVEN IF IT MEANS NOT GIVING THE REPUBLICANS THE MAJORITY THAT THEY NEEDED TO CONTINUE TO DO BUSINESS ON A DAY TO DAY IN THE SESSION.

>> THANK YOU BOTH.

JOHN EAVES, TIME FOR YOUR QUESTION.

>> SO, THIS QUESTION IS FOR MY FRIEND BEA NGUYEN.

SO, THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S POSITION IS AN EXECUTIVE POSITION THAT REQUIRES MANAGERIAL SKILLS, MANAGERIAL OVERSIGHT, SUPERVISING THREE OFFICES, HUNDREDS OF EMPLOYEES, MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR BUDGETS.

EACH OF US AS CANDIDATES TALKED ABOUT OUR PAST, PROFESSIONAL AS WELL AS POLITICAL EXPERIENCE IN TERMS OF QUALIFICATIONS.

CAN YOU SHARE WITH THE LISTENING AUDIENCE YOUR BACKGROUND IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO ASSUME THE MANAGEMENT IN THE PROFESSIONAL ASPECT OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE?

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION, DR.áEAVES.

I'M GLAD YOU ASKED THAT BECAUSE IT DOES GIVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT MY BODY OF WORK.

AS EXECUTIVE OF DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION FOR NONPROFIT I WORKED IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

MOST EDUCATORS WILL AGREE WITH ME THERE IS NOTHING MORE CHALLENGING TO ENSURING THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE WELL EQUIPPED WITH THE RESOURCES TO GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND TO BUILD A SUCCESSFUL ECONOMIC FUTURE FOR THEMSELVES.

AND ESPECIALLY WHEN THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS CONTINUED TO DEFUND OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM.

MY FIVE YEARS AS A STATE LAWMAKER IS EVEN MORE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT AS WE ARE NAVIGATING AN INCREASINGLY POLARIZING POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT.

EVEN THROUGH THAT, I WAS ABLE TO EXTEND PROTECTIONS FOR VICTIMS OF DATING VIOLENCE.

I WAS ABLE TO EXPAND THE FOOTPRINT OF AFFORDABLE AND SECURE HOUSING IN THE CITY OF ATLANTA.

AND I WAS ABLE TO REPEAL THE EXACT NAME VOTER REGISTRATION POLICY WHICH AFFECTED 50,000 GEORGIANS IN 2018.

>> MR.áEAVES?

>> REPRESENTATIVE NGUYEN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE ESPECIALLY IN THE EDUCATION AREA.

I TEACH AT SPELMAN COLLEGE SO I VALUE EDUCATION.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS MY MANAGERIAL EXPERIENCE IS WHAT'S GOING TO MAKEá-- SET ME APART FROM MY OPPONENTS IN TERMS OF MY ABILITY TO BE AN EFFECTIVE SECRETARY OF STATE.

MILLION DOLLAR BUDGETS, HUNDREDS OF EMPLOYEES, MULTIPLE SITES, THAT REQUIRES SKILLS, AND SO, AND THAT REQUIRES PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES.

AND THIS IS A BIG JOB AND I'M PREPARED TO DO IT AS YOUR NEXT SECRETARY OF STATE.

>> FLOYD GRIFFIN, YOU GET THE FINAL QUESTION IN THIS ROUND.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

MY QUESTION IS ALSO TO BEA.

IN THE GUARD ANCER DECEMBER HEADLINE, IT'S AN AMERICAN ISSUE.

CAN GEORGIA SECRETARY CANNED OF STATE SAVE DEMOCRACY?

I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THAT, AND I'M STILL SURPRISED AFTER READING IT.

SO, MY QUESTION TO YOU IS THAT DO YOU THINK THAT YOU CAN SAVE DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA BY YOURSELF?

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION, SENATOR.

I WANT TO BE CLEAR, I DID NOT WRITE THAT HEADLINE AND I AGREE WITH YOU THAT PROTECTING THE FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY REQUIRES ALL HANDS ON DECK.

AND IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA, WE HAVE BEEN VERY LUCKY AND FORTUNATE TO HAVE A STRONG ORGANIZING INFRASTRUCTURE IN ALL PARTS OF THE STATE.

THROUGH THE LAST FIVE YEARS, I'VE BEEN WORKING ALONGSIDE VOTING RIGHTS ADVOCATES TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE FIGHTING BACK AGAINST THE VOTER SUPPRESSION THAT WE'RE SEEING HERE IN GEORGIA.

I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT WHILE THE SECRETARY OF STATE SEAT HERE IN GEORGIA IS NOT GOING TO SAVE OUR DEMOCRACY, IT IS A CRITICAL SAFEGUARD.

RIGHT NOW REPUBLICANS ARE RUNNING A NATIONAL AND COORDINATED CAMPAIGN TO ATTACK SECRETARY OF STATE SEATS AND INCLUDING IN GEORGIA.

WE KNOW THAT THIS IS ABOUT THE 2024 ELECTION, THAT WHEN IT COMES DOWN AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE'VE GOT TO HAVE SOMEBODY WHO IS GOING TO FIGHT FOR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS AND CERTIFY THE RESULTS BECAUSE GEORGIA COULD BE VERY WELL THE STATE THAT DECIDES THE PRESIDENCY IN 2024.

>> MR.áGRIFFIN?

>> YES.

BUT, BEA, WHAT I'D LIKE TO KNOW, I KNOW YOU DIDN'T WRITE THAT HEADLINE OR THE ARTICLE, BUT WHEN YOU SAW IT, DID YOU MAKE AN EFFORT TO CORRECT THAT YOU WERE GOING TO BE THE PERSON WHO SAVED DEMOCRACY?

LOOK, MY FATHER SERVED IN WORLD WAR I TO PROTECT AND DEFEND.

I SERVED IN VIETNAM TO PROTECT AND DEFEND.

AND DEFEND.

AND I DON'T THINK ANY ONE PARTICULAR PERSON CAN SAVE DEMOCRACY.

>> THANK YOU.

THAT CONCLUDES OUR SECOND ROUND.

FOR THOSE OF YOU JUST JOINING US, THIS IS A DEBATE BETWEEN DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

WE WILL NOW GO BACK TO THE PANEL TO ASK QUESTIONS TO THE CANDIDATE OF THEIR CHOICE UNTIL WE RUN OUT OF TIME.

NOW, AS A POINT OF MODERATOR PRIVILEGE I MAY ASK QUESTIONS OF THE CANDIDATE AND I MAY DETERMINE WHEN A REBUTTAL IS APPROPRIATE.

MR.áMARK NIECY, YOU GET THE FIRST ROUND.

>> THIS IS A QUESTION FOR EVERYONE ON THE PANEL.

FOR D. DAWKINS HAGGLER.

LET'S SAY IT'S TRUMP VS. BIDEN ALL OVER AGAIN AND TRUMP NARROWLY WINS GEORGIA JUST AS BIDEN DID IN 2020.

WOULD YOU CERTIFY THAT ELECTION EVEN IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT POTENTIAL FRAUD OR ABSENTEE BALLOTS NOT BEING COUNTED OR ABSENTEE BALLOT REJECTIONS?

EVEN IF YOU HAD DOUBT WOULD YOU CERTIFY THE VICTORY OF DONALD TRUMP?

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

ABSOLUTELY.

I COULD NOT IMAGINE PRESIDENT BIDEN OR PRESIDENT TRUMP CALLING A D. DAWKINS HAGGLER BECAUSE D. DAWKINS HAGGLER IS ABOUT INTEGRITY IN THE OFFICE.

EVEN THOUGH MY HEART'S DESIRE IS FOR DEMOCRATS TO WIN BECAUSE WE HAVE A SOLID PLAN PERIOD NOT TRYING TO SUPPRESS VOTES IN GEORGIA, PARTICULARLY BLACK PEOPLE WHO ARE NOW AT 2 MILLION REGISTERED VOTERS, I WOULD STILL FOLLOW THE LAW BECAUSE THIS IS NOT AN OPPORTUNITY TO USE THE POSITION FOR YOUR FAVOR OR TO SWAY AN ELECTION ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

THIS IS ABOUT OUR VERY DEMOCRACY.

AND SOMETIMES ELECTIONS DO NOT COME OUT THE WAY THAT WE WANT THEM TO.

SO IN THE EVENT THAT, YOU KNOW, GOD FORBID, TRUMP WAS TO WIN THE ELECTION, I WOULD HAVE TO GO AHEAD AND BITE THE BULLET AND CERTIFY BECAUSE THAT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD ALWAYS DO, DO THE RIGHT THING BY ALL CITIZENS IN THIS COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

AND SO I WOULD HOPE THAT THE CITIZENS OF GEORGIA HAVE GOOD ENOUGH SENSE NOT TO VOTE FOR DONALD TRUMP OR ANY REPUBLICAN.

BUT, THEREFORE, I'M STILL THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND I WOULD CERTIFY THE ELECTION.

>> THANK YOU.

MR.áEAVES?

>> OF COURSE.

I BELIEVE THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE, THE POSITION IS THE MOST NON-POLITICAL OF ALL THE STATEWIDE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES.

AS YOUR SECRETARY OF STATE, I WILL MAKE SURE ALL PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND DEFEND FEVERISHLY.

I BELIEVE WHITE PEOPLE, BROWN PEOPLE, GAYE, STRAIGHT, EVERYONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO VOTE AND I'M GOING TO PROTECT THE ELECTIONS PROCESS.

IN FACT, I BELIEVE GEORGIA, DESPITE OUR CHALLENGES, CAN BE A MODEL FOR DEMOCRACY.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE AS AN ASPIRATIONAL GOAL, I WANT US TO BE 100% VOTER REGISTERED AS A STATE.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE AS MANY VOTING PRECINCTS AS POSSIBLE FOR ANYBODY TO BE ABLE TO VOTE AND TO PUSH ALSO ABSENTEE BALLOTING.

I WANT TO WORK WITH COLLEGE STUDENTS TO GET THEM REGISTERED TO VOTE.

FINALLY, I WANT TO WORK WITH EX-OFFENDERS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE REINTEGRATEDS INTO OUR SOCIETY AND VOTE AND ALSO PARTICIPATE IN OUR DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

>> MR.áGRIFFIN.

>> THANK YOU.

I'LL ANSWER THAT QUESTION AND GO BEYOND.

THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION IS I DEFINITELY WILL FOLLOW THE LAW.

I SPENT 23 YEARS IN THE MILITARY, IN THE ARMY, RISING THROUGH THE RANK OF COLONEL.

SERVING AT THE PENTAGON AND LEADING SOLDIERS AND CIVILIANS.

I WOULD NEVER ASK ONE OF MY SOLDIERS OR THE CIVILIANS I LED TO VIOLATE THE LAW, OKAY.

AND WOULD NOT ASK THEM TOá-- AND ESPECIALLY MY SOLDIERSá-- TO CARRY OUT AN UNLAWFUL ORDER.

SO THE ANSWER IS ABSOLUTELY NO.

FLOYD GRIFFIN IS NOT BOUGHT OR BOSSED BY ANYONE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE NGUYEN?

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

THERE IS NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN ELECTING A SECRETARY OF STATE WHO WILL CERTIFY THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION WHETHER OR NOT SHE LIKES THEM.

AND AS SECRETARY OF STATE, I WOULD DO EXACTLY THAT AND UPHOLD THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.

WE ALREADY HAVE LAWS IN PLACE THAT ALLOW CANDIDATES TO CONTEST AN ELECTION, TO ALLOW AUDITS, AND TO ALLOW RECOUNTS.

WE ALSO HAVE THE COURT SYSTEM.

AND SO AS SECRETARY OF STATE, I WOULD ABSOLUTELY CERTIFY THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION WHETHER OR NOT I LIKE THOSE RESULTS.

>> MR.áOWENS.

>> THANK YOU.

I ABSOLUTELY WOULD CERTIFY THE RESULTS REGARDLESS OF HOW THEY TURNED OUT, WHETHER IT WAS FOR DONALD TRUMP OR FOR SOMEONE ELSE.

I BELIEVE THAT THE HEART AND SOUL OF OUR DEMOCRACY IS BASED ON TRUST.

THAT IS WHAT I WILL WORK TOWARDS.

WHAT I WILL DO IS I WILL SPEND, FROM THE TIME I'M ELECTED INTO OFFICE UNTIL THAT ELECTION, IN BUILDING A TRANSPARENTá-- INTRODUCING MORE MONITORING.

AND ENSURING AT THE END DAFT PEOPLE HAVE TRUST AND FAITH IN OUR ELECTIONS, SOMETHING THAT IS DEARLY MISSING RIGHT NOW.

AS SOMEONE WHO SPENT MY CAREER ENSURING THAT PEOPLE HAVE TRUST AND FAITH IN SYSTEMS, I WILL BRING ALL OF OUR KNOWLEDGE, EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE TO ENSURING THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE THAT CALL BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE TRUST AND FAITH IN OUR ELECTIONS.

>> THANK YOU.

STANLEY DUNLAP, IT'S YOUR TURN TO ASK A QUESTION.

>> MY QUESTION FOR ALL OF THE CANDIDATES AS WELL.

WE'LL START THIS TIME WITH MR.áOWENS AND MOVE DOWN.

BUT IF YOU'RE ELECTED, YOU MAY BE A DEMOCRAT THAT'S SEFBING á-- SERVING WITH A MAJORITY REPUBLICAN STATE LEGISLATURE.

HOW WOULD YOU DEAL WITH THAT DYNAMIC AND CHALLENGES OF TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET DONE AS SECRETARY OF STATE?

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

YOU KNOW, I'M ASKED THIS OFTEN.

THE THING I WANT TO FOCUS ON IS THE ROLE OF SECRETARY OF STATE AS MENTIONED EARLIER IS A CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICE, AN EXECUTIVE ROLE.

IT IS NOT A LEGISLATIVE POSITION, WHICH MEANS I DO NOT HAVE THE POWER TO VOTE YES OR NO ON ANY BILL THAT MAY COME UP IN THE LEGISLATURE.

WHAT WE SHOULD FOCUS ON FOR THE NEXT SECRETARY OF STATE IS ENSURING THEY HAVE THE SKILLS, THE EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE ABLE TO FORMULATE A STRATEGY, BE ABLE TO BE LASER FOCUSED ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE WHICH IS GETTING RESULTS FOR THE VOTERS OF GEORGIA.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE FOCUS ON THINGS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE LEGISLATION OR LITIGATION.

WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS BE READY DAY ONE.

I HAVE A SOLID PLAN IN PLACE TO STOP SPECIFIC THINGS THAT ARE STOPPING PEOPLE FROM SHOWING UP AT POLLS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE MORE EFFICIENT, AND MAKE SURE WE GO THROUGH AT THE END OF THE DAY, NOT GET CAUGHT UP IN ALL THE ARGUING AND BICKERING.

I'M AN ENGINEER.

I WANT TO FOCUS ON SOLUTIONS, LIKE SHORTENING LINES, ENSURING WE HAVE HANDICAP AND ELDERLY PEOPLE GETTING TO THE FRONT OF THE LINES, MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE MACHINES DOWN ON ELECTION DAY.

>> THANK YOU.

REPRESENTATIVE WIN.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION, MR.áSAN DIEGANLY.

I'VE BEEN IN A REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED HOUSE.

WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE CHANGES AND TO MAKE PROGRESS, INCLUDING REPEALING THE EXACT NAME MATCH VOTER REGISTRATION POLICY, 50,000 GEORGIANS IN 2018.

THAT BEING SAID, IT IS CRITICAL THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS ABLE TO WORK WITH THE LEGISLATURE TO ENSURE THAT A LEGISLATIVE AGENDA IS MOVED FORWARD.

WE HAVE TO WORK WITH THE LEGISLATIVE BODY.

WE HAVE TO USE LITIGATION.

AND WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS THAT DON'T INVOLVE EITHER.

THAT MEANS INVESTING IN ALL LOCAL ELECTION BOARDS, ALL 159 TO ENSURE FREE, FAIR AND EFFICIENT ELECTIONS.

THAT MEANS INVESTING IN VOTER EDUCATION AND OUTREACH, INVESTING IN LANGUAGE ACCESS, AND BUILDING A DIVISION THAT SOLELY FOCUSES ON ELIMINATING DISINFORMATION, THREATS TO OUR ELECTION SYSTEM AND FOREIGN INTERFERENCE WITH OUR ELECTIONS.

>> WILL YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION, PLEASE?

>> THE QUESTION WAS HOW WOULD YOU DEAL, AS A ELECTED DEMOCRAT WITH A POTENTIAL MAJORITY REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE AND STATE ELECTION BOARD THAT WOULD BE MAJORITY REPUBLICAN IN TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH YOUR GOALS AS SECRETARY OF STATE.

>> I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE QUESTION.

I'M GOING TO TRY TO ANSWER.

FIRST OF ALL, WHAT I'M GOING TO DO IS COMMUNICATE WITH THE GOVERNOR, THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, AND THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, TO ATTEMPT TO GET THE SECRETARY OF STATE BACK ON THE BOARD AS A VOTING MEMBER.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS THE ELECTED OFFICIAL AND SHOULD BE ON THE BOARD.

I SERVED ON THREE COLLEGE BOARDS AND A NATIONAL BOARD.

THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN.

I KNOW HOW BOARDS OPERATE.

THE SECOND THING I WOULD DO IS THAT ONE OF MY DEPUTIES, ONE OF THE RESPONSIBILITY IS GOING TO BE LIAISON TO THE LEGISLATURE AND THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION SO WE CAN BUILD THAT TYPE OF TRUST AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO GET LEGISLATION PASSED THAT WE MAY SUBMIT TO THE LEGISLATURE TO ACT ON.

>> THANK YOU, MR.áGRIFFIN.

MR.áEAVES?

>> SO, I HAVE THREE PROBLEMS WITH THAT BOARD.

THE FORMER CHAIRMAN OF IF YOU FEEL TON COUNTY BOARD CONVENED HUNDREDS OF MEETINGS.

FIRST PROBLEM IS THAT BOARD IS TOO PARTISAN.

LAST TIME I CHECKED, THREE REPUBLICAN APPOINTEES, ONE DEMOCRAT.

SO IT'S NOT NEAR ANY PARITY.

NUMBER TWO, THERE IS LIMITED DIVERSITY.

THERE'S NO BLACK PERSON ON THAT BOARD.

WE ARE IN A STATE THAT'S 32% BLACK.

IT IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE FOR A STATE BOARD TO BE THAT POWERFUL AND MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT A DIVERSE ELECTORATE AND NOT HAVE ANY REPRESENTATION ON THAT BOARD.

THAT'S WRONG.

THEN NUMBER THREE, IT ISá-- IT CAN ALMOST UNILATERALLY OR IN A SUBJECT.

WAY GO AFTER COUNTY GOVERNMENTS OR COUNTY LOCAL ELECTION BOARDS AND PUT THEM UNDER PERFORMANCE REVIEW AND TAKE OVER BY APPOINTING A TEMPORARY ADMINISTRATOR.

SO WHILE I DON'T HAVE A BIG PROBLEM WITH THAT BECAUSE THEY ARE ATTACKING FULTON COUNTY.

IT'S COMPLETELY SUBJECTIVE.

IT'S COMPLETELY POLITICAL AND IT'S TARGETING A COUNTY THAT HAS A LOT OF BLACK DEMOCRATIC VOTERS.

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.

>> THANK YOU.

REPRESENTATIVE DAWKINS HAGGLER?

>> THANK YOU.

AND SO AS THE CHIEF ELECTION OFFICER FOR THE STATE, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE CONTINUES TO WORK WITH ALL 159 BOARDS OF ELECTION.

AND WHAT WE SEE IS A SITUATION WHERE THE VICTOR HAS THE SPOILS BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN THE DEMOGRAPHICS CHANGE IN THIS STATE.

AND THE BOARD IS APPOINTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THE GOVERNOR, THE SPEAKER, THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNORER, THEY ALL GET APPOINTMENTS ON THIS BOARD.

SO YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOME TYPE OF RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ITSELF.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE WHEREWITHAL TO GO IN AND WORK AROUND MANY OF THESE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING TO THESE ELECTION BOARDS.

WE HAVE SEEN IT, NOT JUST IN ONE COUNTY, BUT ALL ACROSS THIS STATE WHERE THE MAJORITY POPULATION IS AFRICAN AMERICAN OR BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE, AND THIS WAS DONE BY DESIGN.

AND SO AS A RESULT, THEY HAVE REDRAWN LINES TO MAKE IT HARDER FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE.

THEY HAVE SUPPRESSED VOTES BY MAKING IT HARDER TO VOTE, ADDING EXTRA IDENTIFICATION AND THEN JUST MAKING IT OVERALL A BAD PLACE TO BE WHEN IT COMES TO VOTING.

SO I WOULD GET IN THERE AND GET THE JOB DONE.

>> THANK YOU.

I HAVE A QUESTION FOR ALL OF YOU.

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE ON THAT THEME HERE.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE IS CHARGED MORE THAN JUST OVERSEEING THE STATE'S ELECTIONS.

WE SPENT TIME TALKING ABOUT THAT, IT IS IMPORTANT.

THE EXPECT OF STATE KEEPS TRACK OF CORPORATE FILING, CHARITIES THAT OPERATE IN THE STATE AND APPROVES PROFESSIONAL LICENSES REALLY EVERYONE FROM ARCHITECTS TO USED CAR DEALERS.

THERE IS QUITE A VARIETY.

WHY DO YOU THINK YOUR EXPERIENCE IS THE BEST FIT FOR SUCH A WIDE RANGE OF RESPONSIBILITIES?

WE'LL START ON THIS END.

>> THANK YOU, THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

MANY PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS FIVE DIVISION WHICH RUNS FROM ELECTIONS, CORPORATIONS, NONPROFITS, TAXING, AS FAR AS THE STOCK MARKET.

ONE THING THAT'S KEY IS WE HAVE AN OPERATION THAT WORKS FOR ITSELF.

PEOPLE SHOULD NOT NEED PROFESSIONAL LICENSE AND CANNOT GET IT BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE NOT ANSWERING THE TELEPHONE OR BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH PAPERWORK.

COULD ANYONE PLEASE TELL ME WHY A SECRETARY OF STATE WOULD CHANGE A STATE WEBSITE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN ELECTION SEASON WHERE PEOPLE ARE STILL TRYING TO GET THEIR CORPORATIONS REINSTATED OR THEIR LICENSE REINSTATEDá-- I MEAN, THE CORPSE RENEWED?

THIS IS A PROCESS BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN A HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER MOST OF MY LIFE.

I HAVE OPERATED IN CORPORATE AMERICA.

I HAVE OPERATED IN NONPROFIT SECTOR.

I HAVE EVEN DONE WORK WITH SECURITY AND EXCHANGES.

SO I HAVE A FULL GAMUT AND UNDERSTANDING OF THIS OFFICE WHICH IS WHAT'S NEED IN THIS PARTICULAR PARTICULAR JOB IN THIS PARTICULAR SEASON.

THIS JOB DOES NOT COME WITH TRAINING WHEELS.

IT NEEDS SOMEBODY WHO IS READY ON DAY ONE WHO HAS ACTUALLY OPERATED EVERY SINGLE FUNCTION OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE APARTMENTS OFFICE AND I AM THAT PERSON.

>> THANK YOU.

MR.áEAVES?

>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

THE AREA THAT I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT IS THE CORPORATIONS DIVISION.

GEORGIA IS BLESSED, WE HAVE 1.1áMILLION SMALL BUSINESSES IN OUR STATE.

UNFORTUNATELY, AND MANY OF THEM ARE BLACK AND BROWN AND FEMALE OWNED.

UNFORTUNATELY, 20% OF THEM FAIL WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR AND 30% FAIL WITHIN TWO YEARS.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE CAN BE VERY PROACTIVE IN TERMS OF WORKING WITH THAT COMMUNITY BECAUSE THE MORE SUCCESSFUL THESE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS ARE, THE STRONGER OUR ECONOMY IS.

THE SECOND THING THAT I'LL DO IN TERMS OF THE CORPORATIONS DIVISION IS DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION.

AS CHAIRMAN OF FULTON COUNTY, VERY PROUD OF OUR RECORD IN TERMS OF AWARDING CONTRACTS TO WOMEN AND MINORITIES.

I'M GOING TO BRING THAT SAME MIND-SET TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE TO MAKE SURE BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE AND WOMEN HAVE ACCESS TO PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES AMONG THE 1,060 PROCUREMENT AGENCIES IN OUR STATE ON BOTH THE STATE LEVEL AND THE LOCAL LEVEL.

>> THANK YOU.

MR.áGRIFFIN.

>> WELL, I HAVE A DEGREE IN CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING CONSTRUCTION FROM TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY.

THAT'S WHAT I DID FOR 23 YEARS IN THE ARMY, DEALING WITH CONSTRUCTION WHEN I WAS NOT FLYING HELICOPTERS LIKE IN VIETNAM.

SO I UNDERSTAND THE TRADES SIDE OF THE HOUSE.

I'M A LOCAL BUSINESS PERSON ALSO.

MY FAMILY OWNS THE FUNERAL HOME THAT I AND MY SISTER BECAME THE OWNER OF, WHICH COMES UNDER THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

NOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M GOING TO DO, I'M GOING TO SET UP AND MACON, GEORGIA, A SATELLITE OFFICE FOR ME.

SO I SPEND SEVERAL DAYS A MONTH THERE FOR TWO THINGS.

ONE, ANYONE WANT TO COME AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE ME WON'T HAVE TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY UP HERE TO ATLANTA.

NUMBER TWO, TO BE RIGHT THERE WITH THE LICENSING DIVISION WHERE I CAN KEEP AN EYE ON WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS THAT I KNOW NEEDS TO BE DONE BASED ON MY RESEARCH.

>> THAT'S YOUR TIME.

MS.áNGUYEN.

>> THANK YOU.

WE KNOW THE SCOPE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE IS WIDE, AND I REMEMBER IN 2009 WHEN I STARTED A NONPROFIT BUSINESS, I WAS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER AND A WOMAN WHO HAD TO OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES OF WHAT IT'S LIKE TO SUSTAIN A BUSINESS WITH LITTLE CAPITAL.

AND SO I UNDERSTAND ALSO AS A LAWMAKER BECAUSE WE HAVE PASSED LEGISLATION, TO ADDRESS LICENSURE, WHICH IS A BIPARTISAN ISSUE AND THERE IS CONSENSUS WE SHOULD DO MORE.

SUCH AS LICENSE RECIPROCITY AND EXPANDING THE ABILITY FOR PEOPLE TO ENTER INTO THE WORK FORCE WITHOUT BARRIERS.

BUT I DO WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR HERE.

THE REASON WHY WE TALK ABOUT ELECTIONS SO MUCH, THE REASON WHY THIS HAS BEEN THE CENTER OF THIS RACE IS BECAUSE REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO OVERTAKE THIS OFFICE FOR ELECTIONS, NOT FOR THE CORPORATIONS DIVISION, NOT FOR THE LICENSURE DIVISION AND CERTAINLY NOT FOR THE CHARITIES DIVISION.

SO AS SECRETARY OF STATE, I WOULD ENSURE THAT WE ARE RUNNING ALL OF THESE DIVISIONS, BUT THERE IS NOTHING MORE URGENT THAN ENSURING THE ELECTIONS DIVISION IS FUNCTIONING.

>> THANK YOU.

MR.áOWENS.

>> I DO THINK IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT WE HAVE A SECRETARY OF STATE WHO UNDERSTANDS ALL THE FACETS OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.

I STARTED MY OWN BUSINESS WHEN I WAS STILL IN MY 20s, GREW IT TO A LARGE COMPUTER CONSULTING FIRM.

I'M THE ONLY PERSON IN THIS RACE WHO HAS ACTUALLY SERVED AS A FORTUNE 500 EXECUTIVE MAKING THE HARD DECISIONS, ENSURING WE ARE EMPLOYING PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE.

IN 2018 I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO PARTICIPATE IN LEADERSHIP GEORGIA.

A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE THE TRUE NEED OF EMPLOYMENT ACROSS THE STATE FROM THE COASTAL GEORGIA ALL THE WAY TO THE MOUNTAINS.

UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE OF HOW WE USE ASPECTS OF LARGE BUSINESSES AND SMALL BUSINESSES, TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE THERE FOR THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA.

YOU KNOW, I ALSO WANT TO TAKE THIS TIME TO TALK ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT THE ECONOMIC SIDE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE IS AND CAN BE TO OUR VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES ACROSS THIS STATE.

I'M A THIRD GENERATION MILITARY VETERAN AND I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GOING TO BE THERE FOR VETERANS, ENSURE THEY CAN GET LICENSEDS, THEY CAN CONTINUE TO DO THEIR MILITARY CAREER JOBS DAY ONE WHEN THEY COME OUT WITHOUT UNDUE BURDEN OR RISK.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

MARK, WE'RE GOING BACK TO YOU FOR THE FIRST QUESTION.

>> 2020 THE GEORGIA ASSEMBLY PASSED A BROAD NEW ELECTIONS LAW THAT LIMITED ABSENTEE BALLOT DROP BOXES, PUT IN PHOTO I.D.

REQUIREMENTS FOR VOTING ABSENTEE, IT ALSO ALLOWED THE STATE TO TAKE OVER TROUBLED COUNTY ELECTION BOARDS AND MANY OTHER THINGS.

AND GEORGIA IMMEDIATELY GOT SUED IN NUMEROUS FEDERAL LAWSUITS TRYING TO OVERTURN VARIOUS PARTS OF THIS LAW.

THOSE CASES ARE PENDING.

IF YOU'RE SECRETARY OF STATE, YOU'LL SUDDENLY BE THE DEFENDANT IN THOSE CASES.

WOULD YOU CONTINUE TO DEFEND A LAW THAT YOU DON'T AGREE WITH?

LET'S START WITH MR.áGRIFFIN AND MOVE TO HIS LEFT.

>> NO.

NO, NO, NO.

I'M NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING THAT I DO NOT BELIEVE IN, AND THE LAW THAT IS IN PLACE.

THE LEGISLATION THAT WAS PASSED IN 2002, ALL OF IT SHOULD BE APPEALED, OKAY.

THAT BILL NOW THE LAW DISEN FRANCHISED AND SUPPRESSED THE VOTES OF AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THIS STATE.

AND EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT DEALS WITH BLACK PEOPLE, AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THIS STATE BECAUSE THE REPUBLICANS CAN SEE ON THE WALL WHAT HAPPENED IN THE EXTENT OF GETTING THE PRESIDENT, THE VICE PRESIDENT, AND OUR TWO SENATORS ELECTED.

AND THEY WANT TO TURN THAT AROUND.

>> REPRESENTATIVE NGUYEN?

>> THANK YOU.

MARK, YOU BRING UP AN IMPORTANT QUESTION BECAUSE LITIGATION IS A PART OF A KEY COMPONENT OF SECRETARY OF STATE'S RACE AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO ELECT A DEMOCRAT.

AS A STATE LAWMAKER, I SPOKE AGAINST SENATE BILL 202 AS WELL AS OTHER BILLS, AND THE PREMISE HAS BEEN THIS BILL VIOLATES VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

I SUPPORT LEGISLATION TO OVERTURN SENATE BILL 202.

YESTERDAY DURING THE GOVERNOR'S DEBATE HE ADMITTED THAT SENATE BILL 202 WAS PASSED BECAUSE HE DID NOT LIKE THE RESULTS OF THE FEDERAL ELECTION.

I ALSO WANT TO DRAW UPON THE CURRENT SECRETARY OF STATE.

IN 2020 THERE WAS LITIGATION THAT ENABLED US TO COUNT ABSENTEE BALLOTS THAT WERE POSTMARKED BY ELECTION DAY AND RECEIVED WITHIN THREE DAYS.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE APPEALED THAT RULING WHICH LED TO THROWING OUT THOUSANDS OF BALLOTS.

CERTAINLY THE ROLE OFLY ALLEGATION IS GOING TO BE IMPORTANT AND AS SECRETARY OF STATE I WOULD CONTINUE TO DEFEND OUR FEDERAL VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

>> MR.áOWENS?

>> THANK YOU.

I CANNOT IN CLEAR CONSCIENCE WORK TO SUPPORT A BILL THAT I KNOW HAS BEEN SPECIFICALLY TARGETED TO SUPPRESS AND LIMIT THE VOTE OF BLACK AND BROWN VOTERS THROUGHOUT THIS STATE.

I ABSOLUTELY COULD NOT.

WHAT I WANT TO DO IS FOCUS ON ENSURING WE ARE DOING THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO EXPAND ACCESS TO THE BALLOT AND ENSURE MORE PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO VOTE.

WE LOOK AT WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

EARLY VOTING HAS STARTED.

AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S WEBSITE IS DOWN WHEN IT COMES TO ABSENTEE REQUEST BALLOTS.

THAT'S ABSURD.

IT'S IN EXCUSABLE.

AND ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO FIND WAYS TO LIMIT PEOPLE'S ACCESS TO THE BALLOT.

AS SECRETARY OF STATE, I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN, AND I WILL START WITH THAT.

DOING THE THINGS THAT I CAN DO AS SECRETARY OF STATE TO ENSURE, WITHOUT A DOUBT, THAT WE ARE ENSURING THAT EVERY SINGLE VOTER HAS ACCESS TO THE BALLOT.

THAT'S WHAT I'M GOING TO DO AS SECRETARY OF STATE.

THANK YOU.

>> REPRESENTATIVE DAWKINS HAGGLER.

>> THANK YOU.

MY WORK SPANS 25 YEARS OF VOTING RIGHTS.

IT WOULD BE CONTRARY TO MY VERY BELIEFS TO UPHOLD THOSE LAWSUITS.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT I'M A PART OF, INCLUDING THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, WE ARE PART OF THOSE LAWSUITS.

YOU KNOW WHY?

WE DON'T JUST STAND UP WHEN IT'S CONVENIENT OR HAVE TALKING POINTS WE READ OFF OF.

THIS IS AN EXPERIENCE WE LIVE.

ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD DO IS WORK NOT JUST THROW OUT ANY OF THE VOTE CASE.

WE ELECT AN ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO WOULD UPHOLD IT AS WELL AS FLIPPING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SEATS FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE A GOOD CONSCIENCE AND A GOOD MIND FOR ALL OF THE VOTERS OF GEORGIA.

BECAUSE THE SECRETARY OF STATE SHOULD MAKE IT EASY AND ACCESSIBLE FOR EVERYONE TO CAST THEIR VOTE.

YET WHAT THEY'VE DONE HERE IN GEORGIA IS UNCONSCIONABLE.

SO NO, I WOULD ABSOLUTELY NOT CONTINUE WITH THE LAWSUIT WHICH I AM PRIVY TO HALF THE LAWSUITS IN THE FIRST PLACE BECAUSE WE'RE LITIGANTS AGAINST THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU.

CHAIRMAN EAVES?

>> THIS IS AN EASY ONE OF THE ONE OF THE LITIGANTS IS THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND THINK SPECIFICALLY CITED THAT THEY OPPOSE THIS LAW BECAUSE IT WAS DISEN FRANCHISING BLACK VOTERS.

I'M A PRODUCT OF THE AMERICAN SOUTH AND WE HAVE MADE GREAT PROGRESS IN THE SOUTH BUT WE HAVE A WAY TO GO.

GEORGIA COULD BE A MODEL OF DIVERSITY.

THIS LAW IS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO LIMIT BLACK POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT, ENGAGEMENT ACROSS THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

I COULD NOT IN ANY CONSCIENCE SUPPORT THAT.

I DO BELIEVE THAT WE CAN STILL BE A MODEL FOR THE NATION.

OUR DIVERSITY IS OUR STRENGTH, AND WE SHOULD BE DOING ALL THAT WE CAN TO INCREASE THE VOTER REGISTRATION, VOTER PARTICIPATION, AND ELECTING OFFICE REPRESENTATION, ALL THE TAPESTRY OF OUR STATE.

AND SO I WOULD NOT DEFEND A LAW THAT IS INHERENTLY AGAINST MY ANCESTORS, MYSELF AND MY FAMILY AND MANY OTHERS.

I WILL BE PUSHING FOR MORE INCLUSION AS SECRETARY OF STATE OF GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU ALL.

STANLEY.

>> A QUESTION FOR EVERYONE.

WE'LL START WITH DAWKINS HAGGLER AND MOVE DOWN.

SEEING THE STATE NOW UNDERGOING A REVIEW OF FULTON COUNTY'S ELECTIONS AND WHAT THE RESULT OF THAT REPORT COULD END UP POTENTIALLY THE STATE TAKING OVER THE ELECTIONS PROCESS THERE, NOTED SPOKEN OUT AGAINST THAT.

WHAT ARE THE HISTORY OF ISSUES THERE, WHAT ROLE SHOULD SECRETARY OF STATE OR STATE ELECTION BOARD HAVE IN TRYING TO RESOLVE THOSE PROBLEMS?

IS THERE ANY TYPE OF INTERVENTION THE STATE SHOULD TAKE?

HOW WOULD YOU HANDLE THAT?

>> THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION BECAUSE THIS DID NOT START WITH FULTON COUNTY.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE STARTED DOING ALL OF THESE EGREGIOUS ACTS ACTUALLY UNDER KAREN HANDEL WHEN SHE WAS THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

AND I CAN NAME SEVERAL COUNTIES IN WHICH I HAD TO GO IN WHEN I WAS THE CHAIR OF THE LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS TO TRY TO UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WERE TRYING TO SUPPRESS THE VOTES IN MANY DIFFERENT PLACES OR CALL INTO QUESTION THOSE POPULATIONS THAT HAD A MAJORITY BLACK POPULATION WHO WERE TURNING OVER VOTES.

AND THIS NEW LAW WITH THE GBI, IT IS JUST A CARRY ON OF WHAT HAPPENED IN GEORGIA 2010.

YOU HAD TEN BLACK WOMEN WHO WERE TRIED WITH FELONIES.

ALL THEY TRIED TO DO WAS REGISTER PEOPLE TO VOTE, USE ADVANCE VOTING SYSTEM.

THIS WENT ON FOR YEARS, LITIGATION BECAUSE THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, THE REPUBLICANS TOOK THAT THING UP TO BRIAN KEMP WHO WAS SECRETARY OF STATE AT THAT TIME.

HE HAD THE GBI TO INVESTIGATE, TRY TO THROW OUT THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS DECISION BECAUSE MOST OF THOSE BOARDS ARE STACKED WITH REPUBLICANS BASED ON WHERE YOU LIVE EVEN IF IT'S AN AFRICAN AMERICAN POPULATION.

>> THANK YOU.

MR.áEAVES.

>> WELL, FULTON COUNTY IS THE BIG TARGET.

THERE ARE SMALLER COUNTIES THAT I THINK IS PART OF A HEAD FAKE.

I UNDERSTAND FLOYD COUNTY NORTH OF HERE WHICH IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

BUT THE LARGER ISHD YOU IS ALSO WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE LOCAL ELECTION BOARDS.

I HAVE TRAVELED THROUGHOUT THIS STATE AND I'VE BEEN DISAPPOINTED, SHOCKED, BUT ALSO ENCOURAGED BY LOCAL CITIZENS FIGHTING BACK.

REVEREND DENISE FREEMAN IN LINCOLN COUNTY, THAT LOCAL ELECTION BOARD WANT TO REDUCE PRECINCTS FROM 7 TO 1.

SHE LED AND MOBILIZED LOCAL CITIZENS TO FIGHT BACK AND THEY CHANGED THEIR MIND.

THEY RESCINDED THE DECISION AND NOW THEY HAVE SEVEN PRECINCTS.

I WAS IN CAMDEN COUNTY, SOUTH EAST GEORGIA.

SAME THING HAPPENED.

LADY'S NAME ESCAPES ME, WHITE WOMAN FIGHTING ON BEHALF OF BLACK RESIDENTS IN THAT STATE WHERE PRECINCTS WERE GOING TO BE CLOSED BY THE ELECTION BOARD.

I AM EMBOLDENED AND ENCOURAGED.

>> THANK YOU.

MR.áGRIFFIN.

>> YES, SPEAKING OF LINCOLN COUNTY, I KNOW REVEREND FREEMAN, AND I WROTE AN OP-ED SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS THAT THEY WERE DOING OVER THERE.

ALL OF THIS GOES BACK TO THE STATE ELECTION BOARD AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE PRESENTLY DOES NOT REALLY HAVE A VOICE IN THAT, IN THAT BOARD BEING AN EX-OFFICIAL.

THE SECRETARY IS CHIEF ELECTED OFFICIAL IN THIS STATE.

AND THAT'S WHY I WILL WORK TO WORK TO GET ME, THE SECRETARY OF STATE, BACK IN THE POSITION AS A BOARD MEMBER TO HELP SLOW DOWN OR STOP SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON NOW FROM LOCAL ELECTION BOARDS BEING CHASTISED FOR DOING THEIR JOB EVERY DAY.

>> REPRESENTATIVE NGUYEN.

>> I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT SUPPORT A PARTISAN TAKEOVER OF ANY OF OUR LOCAL STATE ELECTION BOARDS.

NOT BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE, NOT BY THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, LOCAL ELECTION OFFICIALS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, FROM DEMOCRATIC COUNTIES AND REPUBLICAN COUNTIES, HAVE SHOWN UP AT THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THEY HAVE SAID THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

THEY ARE FACING NEW MANDATES.

THEY ARE LOSING ELECTION WORKERS BECAUSE OF THREATS AND HARASSMENT.

AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS ABDICATED HIS DUTY IN SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL ELECTION BOARDS.

AS SECRETARY OF STATE, I WOULD INVEST IN ALL 159 LOCAL ELECTION BOARDS TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE RUNNING FREE, FAIR AND EFFICIENT ELECTIONS.

I WOULD COME TO THE TABLE IN SUPPORT OF OUR LOCAL ELECTION BOARDS SO WHEN THEY ARE FACING CHALLENGES, WE TOGETHER CAN FIND SOLUTIONS TO THAT.

THAT IS NOT WHAT THE CURRENT SECRETARY OF STATE IS DOING AND OUR LOCAL ELECTION BOARDS NEED OUR SUPPORT IN ORDER TO RUN FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS.

>> MR.áOWENS.

>> THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION.

AND WHAT WE ABSOLUTELY MUST DO IS EMPOWER OUR LOCAL ELECTION BOARDS.

YOU KNOW, IN MY MOTHER'S OWN PRECINCT IN MABELTONGA, THE LINE WAS EIGHT HOURS LONG.

THAT IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.

IN UNION CITY THERE WERE VOTERS WHO DIDN'T GET TO VOTE TECHNICALLY UNTIL AFTER ELECTION DAY.

IT WAS AFTER MIDNIGHT WHEN THEY GOT TO VOTE.

WE CANNOT STAND BY IDLY.

THE NEXT SECRETARY OF STATE HAS TO BE SOMEONE THAT CAN TAKE CHARGE OF THIS, THAT CAN PUT AND TRULY LEAD, NOT TO KICK THE CAN OF LEADERSHIP DOWN TO THE LOCAL LEVEL, BUT INSTEAD PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK THAT ALL LOCAL ELECTION BOARDS WILL BE ABLE TO WORK WITHIN, TO BE ABLE TO ENSURE THEY ARE ADEQUATELY FUNDED AND ENSURE WE ARE USING DATA ANALYTICS AND BEING SMART ABOUT WHERE WE HAVE MACHINES, WHAT WE DO TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE NOT BECOMINGá-- THAT WE ARE NOT BECOMING OUR OWN WORST ENEMIES WHEN IT COMES TO ELECTIONS.

WE CAN DO BETTER.

WE MUST DO SO.

I HAVE THE SKILLS AND EXPERTISE TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS.

I'M READY TO MAKE SURE EVERY SINGLE ELECTEDá-- >> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> REPRESENTATIVE NGUYEN, THIS QUESTION IS FOR YOU.

THE CURRENT SECRETARY OF STATE, BRAD RAFFENSPERGER HAS BEEN FOCAL ABOUT HIS BELIEF GEORGIA NEEDS TO AMEND ITS CONSTITUTION TO BAN NONCITIZENS FROM VOTING DESPITE THE FACT THAT IS ALREADY AGAINST STATE LAW.

BUT HE CITES STATES LIKE VERMONT WHERE NON-CITIZENS ARE BEING ALLOWED TO VOTE IN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

DO YOU THINK GEORGIA NEEDS TO AMEND ITS CONSTITUTION TO BAN NON-CITIZEN VOTING?

>> THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS RUNNING A CAMPAIGN THAT IS BASED ON SOMETHING THAT'S NOT ONLY ALREADY IN STATE LAW, IT'S IN OUR STATE CONSTITUTION.

AND IT IS SPELLED OUT VERY CLEARLY.

ELIGIBLE VOTERS HAVE TO BE CITIZENS AND THEY HAVE TO BE 18 YEARS OLD.

WHAT'S EVEN MORE DISAPPOINTING ABOUT HIS LACK OF VISION IS HE WAS UNABLE TO PASS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IN A REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE.

INSTEAD OF USING A DOG WHISTLEá-- AND WE KNOW, BY THE WAY, NON-CITIZENS ARE NOT VOTING BECAUSE WE HAVE THE PROCESSES IN PLACE AND HIS OWN OFFICE SHOWED US THAT NON-CITIZENS ARE NOT ACTUALLY VOTING.

IT WORKS.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON ENSURING THAT OUR LOCAL ELECTION BOARDS ARE SUPPORTED, ENSURING THAT EVERY ELIGIBLE CITIZEN IS ABLE TO CAST THEIR BALLOT AT THE BALLOT BOX, AND THAT WHEN THEY CAST THEIR BALLOT, THOSE RESULTS SHOULD BE UPHELD.

>> THANK YOU.

THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR QUESTIONS.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL NOW HAVE 60 SECONDS FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT.

D. DAWKINS HAGGLER, YOU GET THE FIRST CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> THANK YOU.

I BELIEVE IN GEORGIA, AND I BELIEVE IN GEORGIA VALUES.

AND I BELIEVE AS THE NEXT SECRETARY OF STATE, I BELIEVE WE HAVE TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT OF OPPORTUNITIES.

I AM VERY DISHEARTENED BY THE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN GEORGIA.

AND SO AS THE WIFE OF A CURRENT ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY COLONEL IN FORT GORDON, THE MOTHER OF FOUR CHILDREN, I AM DISHEARTENED WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE ATTACK ON BLACK VOTERS ACROSS THIS STATE, ON BLACK CHURCHES, THEN ON NONPROFITS, THEN ON THE FACT EVEN 13-YEAR-OLDS COULD BE CHARGED WITH A FELONY IF THEY WITNESS SOMEONE VOTING.

SOMETHING I HAVE DONE WHEN I WAS LITTLE.

WE HAVE TO REENVISION GEORGIA SO EVERY SINGLE CITIZEN IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA HAS ACCESS TO THE BALLOT BOX SO THEY CAN GO IN AND VOTE ON THINGS IMPORTANT TO THEM LIKE HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION.

WE CANNOT KEEP IT UP LIKE THIS.

SO I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

D. DAWKINS HAGGLER, GEORGIA SECRETARY OF STATE.

>> THANK YOU.

B. NGUYEN.

>> THIS IS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY.

MY NAME IS BEA NGUYEN AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IN ALL 159 COUNTIES.

I'VE WATCHED REPUBLICANS ATTACK OUR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO VOTE AND TO ERODE OUR DEMOCRACY.

AND RIGHT NOW THERE IS A NATIONALIZED CAMPAIGN THAT IS TARGETING SECRETARY OF STATE SEATS, INCLUDING IN GEORGIA, FOR ONE REASON AND FOR ONE REASON ONLY, TO HIJACK OUR ELECTION SYSTEM.

AS SECRETARY OF STATE, I WILL FIGHT TO ENSURE EVERY ELIGIBLE GEORGIAN WILL BE ABLE TO CAST THEIR BALLOT.

WHEN THEY GO TO THE BALLOT BOX, THEIR VOTE IS COUNTED AND THE RESULTS OF OUR ELECTION IS UPHELD.

I ASK YOU TO JOIN ME IN THIS FIGHT TO PROTECT THE FUTURE OF OUR DEMOCRACY AND I HOPE TO EARN YOUR SUPPORT BECAUSE WHEN WE VOTE, WE ALL WIN.

>> THANK YOU.

MICHAEL OWENS, TIME FOR YOUR CLOSING STATEMENTS.

>> I'M RUNNING FOR SECRETARY OF STATE BECAUSE I WANT TO BE THE CHIEF DIPLOMACY OFFICER.

I'M SORRY, THE CHIEF DEMOCRACY OFFICER.

IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT WE HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING THAT WE ARE FACING CHALLENGES THAT WE'VE NEVER SEEN, FOREIGN ADVERSARIES, DOMESTIC CHALLENGES WE'RE FACING.

WE HAVE ELECTION SYSTEMS THAT PEOPLE CONTINUE TO HAVE CONCERNS IN.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE HAVE THREATS THAT DIRECTLY RELATE TO PEOPLE BEING ABLE TO VOTE.

WE HAVE CHAOS RUNNING AMUCK RIGHT NOW.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT WE HAVE A SECRETARY OF STATE THAT WILL HAVE THE FULL ASPECT OF THE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE FOR THIS ELECTIONS TO TURN AROUND.

IF WE TRULY WANT TO TRANSFORM THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE AND ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE SOMEONE THAT'S GOING TO BE THERE FOR YOU, THAT'S GOING TO FIGHT TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE, THAT'S GOING TO DEFEND DEMOCRACY AND GOING TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO MAKE SURE WE TURN THE TIDE WHEN IT COMES TO HAVING TRUST IN OUR ELECTIONS, AND ENSURE WE END LONG LINES AND ENSURE WE HAVE DEMOCRACY NOT JUST FOR OURSELVES, BUT FOR OUR CHILDREN, FOR OUR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN, I ASK YOU, JOIN ME, MICHAEL OWENS FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION WE'VE SEEN.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

FLOYD GRIFFIN, IT'S YOUR TURN.

>> THIS IS ABOUT EXECUTIVE LEVEL LEADERSHIP, EXECUTIVE LEVEL MANAGEMENT AND EXECUTIVE LEVEL EXPERIENCE AND I AM THE BEST PERSON WHO HAVE PROVEN FIGHT TO DO THESE KINDS OF THINGS.

AND HOW DO I KNOW THAT?

THE LAST LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, DEMOCRATIC LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, HAS ENDORSED MY CANDIDACY, AND HE SAID THAT FLOYD GRIFFIN IS THE BEST PERSON TO BE THE NEXT SECRETARY OF STATE.

I HAVE SERVED MY COUNTRY.

I HAVE SERVED MY STATE.

AND I HAVE SERVED MY COMMUNITY.

I AM THE ONLY PERSON ON DAY ONE WHO WILL HIT THE GROUND RUNNING AND WILL NOT HAVE TO HAVE ON-THE-JOB TRAINING BECAUSE I'VE BEEN THERE AND I'VE DONE THAT IN THE MILITARY, IN ELECTED POSITION, AND IN BUSINESS.

AND DON'T FORGET TO VOTE FOR FLOYD GRIFFIN ON THE 24th OF MAY, WHICH IS MY BIRTHDAY.

>> THANK YOU.

JOHN EAVES, YOU GET THE FINAL CLOSING STATEMENTS.

>> I'M RUNNING BECAUSE WE NEED NEW LEADERSHIP IN THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.

I'M A FATHER.

I'M A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER.

THE FORMER REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF PEACE CORE FOR THE SOUTHEASTERN REGION.

I ALSO TEACH AT STONEMAN COLLEGE, DYNAMIC BLACK WOMEN.

I AM ENCOURAGING THEM TO GO INTO POLITICS.

I'M ALSO THE FORMER CHAIRMAN OF FULTON COUNTY, SERVED FOR 11 YEARS, BIG GOVERNMENT.

1 MILLION RESIDENTS.

15 CITIES.

AND ALONG WITH THAT WE OPERATED THE LARGEST LOCAL VOTING OPERATION IN THE ENTIRE STATE.

SOMETHING THAT NONE OF MY OPPONENTS HAS IS EXPERIENCE OVERSEEING ELECTIONS.

WE INCREASED VOTER PARTICIPATION UNDER MY WATCH.

THE FIRST SOULS TO THE POLE AS WELL AS THREE WEEKS IN ADVANCE VOTER REGISTRATION AND VOTING.

AND THEN ALONG WITH THAT, WE INCREASED JOBS.

AND LASTLY, LET'S SEIZE THE HISTORICAL MOMENT.

LET'S MAKE HISTORY.

MAKE ME THE FIRST BLACK PERSON ELECTED AS SECRETARY OF STATE IN GEORGIA'S HISTORY, AND THE FIRST SINCE RECONSTRUCTION IN THE SOUTHEAST.

JOHN EAVES, ASK FOR YOUR VOTE.

>> THANK YOU ALL.

THAT CONCLUDES OUR DEBATE.

WE'D LIKE TO REMIND VOTERS ELECTION DAY IS ON TUESDAY, MAY 24th, AND EARLY VOTING IS ALREADY UNDERWAY.

OUR THANKS TO ALL OF OUR CANDIDATES AND TO OUR PANEL OF JOURNALISTS.

MARK AND STANLEY, THANK YOU BOTH.

WE'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB FOR ARRANGING TODAY'S DEBATE.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DEBATES, THEY WILL HOST THIS ELECTION SEASON, YOU CAN VISIT ATLANTA PRESS CLUB.ORG.

I'M CLARE SIMS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THE BE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB LOUDERMILK DEBATE SERIES.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> Announcer: GEORGIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING IS PROUD TO PARTNER WITH THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB TO PRESENT THE POLITICAL DEBATE SERIES.

VISIT GPB.ORG FOR A COMPLETE BROADCAST AND LIVE STREAM SCHEDULE.