HELLO THERE.

I'M LISA RAYAM, HOST AND PRODUCER OF MORNING EDITION ON WABE IN ATLANTA.

WELCOME TO ATLANTA, PRESS CLUB, LOUDERMILK YOUNG DEBATE SERIES.

THIS IS THE RUNOFF DEBATE AMONG DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

LET'S MEET THE CANDIDATES FOR THIS DEBATE.

THEY ARE IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER.

D. DAWKINS HAIGLER IS AN ENTREPRENEUR AND INTERNATIONAL AMBASSADOR OF GOODWILL.

BE WHEN IS THE GEORGIA HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE FOR DISTRICT?

89?

NOW?

TO MEET OUR PANELISTS.

PATRICIA MURPHY IS A POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE ATLANTA.

JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION.

AND BENJAMIN PAIN IS THE SAVANNAH BASED REPORTER FOR GEORGIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

WELCOME TO YOU ALL FOR A COMPLETE RULES ON TODAY'S DEBATE, PLEASE VISIT THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB WEBSITE ATLANTAPRESSCLUB.ORG TO START THE DEBATE.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL BE ASKED ONE QUESTION BY EACH PANELIST CANDIDATES HAVE 60 SECONDS TO ANSWER.

EACH QUESTION.

BENJAMIN PAIN, YOU GET THE FIRST QUESTION TO DO.

DAWKINS HAIGLER.

THIS IS D DAWKINS HAIGLER.

HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY?

I'M DOING WELL.

THANK YOU.

HOW ARE YOU?

GOOD.

SO WHEN IT COMES TO PRIMARY ELECTIONS, IT CAN OFTEN BE PRETTY DIFFICULT FOR VOTERS TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CANDIDATES BECAUSE CANDIDATES ARE COMING FROM THE SAME PARTY AND THEY'RE OFTEN MORE ALIKE THAN THEY ARE DIFFERENT.

AND IN THIS CASE, YOU AND YOUR OPPONENT OR BOTH STRONGLY, OPPOSED TO THE VOTING RESTRICTIONS, THAT WERE SIGNED INTO LAW LAST YEAR BY GOVERNOR KEMP.

SO WHERE DO YOU DIFFER FROM YOUR OPPONENT?

WHEN IT COMES TO POLICY SPECIFICALLY?

THANK YOU.

AND THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION.

SO, MY OPPONENT AND I DIFFER IN POLICY ON JUST A FEW ISSUES.

BUT MOST OF ALL WE DIFFER IN LEADERSHIP AND QUALITIES, THAT WOULD GARNER THIS POSITION BECAUSE THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S POSITION IS ONE OF LEADERSHIP, ONE OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE.

AND SO, MY PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES BRING THAT TO THE TABLE.

AS FAR AS WHERE WE STAND ON POLICY ISSUES.

I'M VERY FIRM WHERE RELATES TO VOTE ACROSS THE STATE OF GEORGIA FOR AFRICAN -AMERICANS IN PARTICULAR BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THAT MOST VOTING RIGHTS, LEGISLATION CAME OUT OF THE FACT THAT BLACK PEOPLE HAVE, HISTORICALLY, NOT HAD THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

HENCE.

THE 1965 VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

AND SO I AM ONE WHO IS ALWAYS BROUGHT IN THE DIFFERENT PEOPLE SUCH AS BRIAN CAMP, OR GOING UP AGAINST BRAD, RACCOONS BURGER, EVEN WHEN I WAS NOT IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SERVING THAT TIME, BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THERE'S MORE IMPORTANT TO LEAD THAN JUST TO BE INVITED TO A CONVERSATION AND GOING UP AGAINST THE POWERS THAT BE.

AND SO I'M THAT PERSON WHO CAN STAND TOE-TO-TOE WITH BRAD RAVENSBURGER IN BAMBOO, THANK YOU D. DAWKINS HAIGLER PATRICIA MURPHY.

IT IS YOUR TURN.

TO ASK A QUESTION TO BE WHEN REPRESENTATIVE WHEN A PORTION OF REPUBLICAN VOTERS, STILL BELIEVE THAT THE 2020 ELECTION WAS STOLEN FROM DONALD TRUMP.

WHAT WILL YOU DO AS SECRETARY OF STATE TO RESTORE FAITH AND GEORGIA ELECTIONS A MOST, AMONG BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS.

THE REASON WHY A PORTION OF REPUBLICAN VOTERS WILL LEAVE THAT.

THE ELECTION WAS STOLEN IN 2020 IS BECAUSE AND LEADERSHIP ENABLED THIS TO HAPPEN.

WE CURRENTLY HAVE A SECRETARY OF STATE WHO UPHELD THE LAW, BUT HE'S RUNNING HIS CAMPAIGN BASED ON CONSPIRACY THEORIES, INCLUDING THE ALLEGED IDEA, THAT NON-CITIZENS ARE VOTING, WHICH IS NOT TRUE.

AND THE ALLEGED IDEA THAT GEORGIANS ARE BALLOT HARVESTING, WHICH IS NOT TRUE.

A SECRETARY OF STATE.

I WOULD UPHOLD THE LAW.

I WOULD USE FACTS AND TRUTHS, AND I WOULD LOOK FOR COMMON AREAS WHERE WE COULD ACTUALLY BUILD COMMON GROUND, AND INSTILL CONFIDENCE SUCH AS MOVING TO A HAND.

MARK PAPER BALLOTS.

THEM, WE'RE BOTH VOTERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE ACTUALLY AGREE UPON.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH REPRESENTATIVE.

WHEN BENJAMIN YOUR QUESTION FOR BE WITH.

SO I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU WERE RAISED IN AUGUSTA.

WHAT POLICIES WOULD YOU LIKE TO PUT IN PLACE?

THAT WOULD ESPECIALLY SERVE GEORGIANS ALL ACROSS THE STATE AND NOT JUST HERE IN METRO ATLANTA.

I WAS RAISED IN AUGUSTA WHERE MY PARENTS STILL LIVE TODAY AND I SPENT EVERY MAJOR HOLIDAY IN AUGUSTA, GEORGIA.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE INVEST IN ALL 159, COUNTIES, PROVIDING THE RESOURCES, THE IN THE NECESSARY TRAINING SO THAT OUR LOCAL ELECTION BOARDS ARE ABLE TO RUN FREE FAIR AND EFFICIENT ELECTIONS, ALL ACROSS THE STATE OF GEORGIA, AS SECRETARY OF STATE.

I WOULD ALSO INVEST IN THE VOTERS, IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

SO THAT VOTERS UNDERSTAND WHERE THEY NEED TO GO TO VOTE.

SO THAT VOTERS, UNDERSTAND WHAT THE CHANGES IN LOSS ARE ESPECIALLY WITH THE FAST -CHANGING IN NUANCED ELECTION LAWS.

SO THAT VOTERS, UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY NEED TO DO IN ORDER FOR THEM TO GO TO THE BALLOT BOX, CAST THEIR BALLOTS AND BE ASSURED.

THAT THE RESULTS OF THE THE ELECTION WILL BE UPHELD REPRESENTATIVE WHEN THANK YOU, PATRICIA.

YOU GET THE FINAL QUESTION IN THIS ROUND, 4D DAWKINS HAIGLER, MISS DAWKINS, HAIGLER THOUSANDS OF DEMOCRATS CROSSED OVER INTO THE REPUBLICAN, PRIMARY TO CAST A VOTE FOR BRAD.

RAPPIN'S BURGER.

WE SPOKE WITH A NUMBER OF THEM FROM THE ATLANTA.

JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION.

THEY TOLD US IT WAS BECAUSE THEY FELT LIKE BRAD.

RAPIDS BURGER HAS STOOD UP FOR THE GEORGIA LAW DURING THE 2020 ELECTIONS.

WHAT'S YOUR MESSAGE TO THOSE VOTERS?

TO CONVINCE THEM TO VOTE FOR YOU?

YOU AND NOVEMBER INSTEAD.

THANK YOU.

THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION.

SO MY APPEAL TO THEM IS VOTE FOR SOMEONE WHO'S GOING TO STAND FOR INTEGRITY AT ALL TIMES.

BRAD, REFERENCE BURGER.

ONE OF THE REASONS WHY HE DEFENDED THE VOTING MACHINES.

AND THE INTEGRITY OF THE VOTE IS BECAUSE HE HIRED SOME OF HIS FRIENDS TO DO THAT JOB.

AND SO HE DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE EGG ON HIS FACE EITHER IN THE POSITION OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE BRINGING THEM ON WITH THE DOMINION MACHINES AS WELL AS THE PEOPLE SAYING THAT THOSE ARE RESULTS, WERE NOT ACCURATE.

AND SO THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY HE STOOD.

UP TO DONALD TRUMP IN THE REST OF THEM REGARDING OUR ELECTIONS, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WOULD SAY IS I'M A FIGHTER.

I'VE BEEN A FIGHTER INSIDE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SERVED IN LEADERSHIP POSITION EVERY TIME, I EVERY YEAR, I WAS THERE AND I'M A FIGHTER OUTSIDE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, WHETHER IT IS FIGHTING AGAINST SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES, FIGHTING AGAINST BREAST CANCER, FIGHTING AGAINST COVID OR FIGHTING ALONGSIDE MY FAMILY, THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED IN THE MILITARY.

SO WE UNDERSTAND WHAT A GOOD FIGHT IS LIKE AND I HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT I KNOW PERSONALLY HAVE THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE TAKEN AWAY.

FROM THEM AND I WILL FIGHT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN D HAWKINS HAGLER AND BWIN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH THAT CONCLUDES THE FIRST ROUND OF THE DEBATE.

THE CANDIDATES WILL NOW ASK A QUESTION TO THEIR OPPONENT.

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 FOR A REBUTTAL.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL GET TO QUESTIONS BY RANDOM SELECTION BE WIN.

YOU MAY ASK THE FIRST QUESTION REPRESENTATIVE WIN.

THANK YOU DURING MY TIME IN THE LEGISLATURE, BRAD ROBBINS BURGER APPEARED BEFORE MY COMMITTEE, AND HE DEFENDED THE DISCRIMINATORY EXACT NAME MATCH LEGISLATION, WHICH DISENFRANCHISED 50,000 GEORGIANS.

80% OF THOSE GEORGIANS WERE BLACK ASIAN OR LATINO.

I WAS SUCCESSFULLY ABLE TO REPEAL THAT EVEN THOUGH BRAD WRAPS AND SPERG ARE SUPPORTED THAT.

CAN YOU TELL GEORGIA VOTERS?

WHAT OTHER VOTER SUPPRESSION POLICIES THAT BRAD RAVENSBURGER SUPPORTS?

YES.

SO BRAD RAP IS BURGER SUPPORTS A LOT OF LEGISLATION.

THAT IS VERY DISINGENUOUS.

YOU WAS TO THE PEOPLE IN GEORGIA.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HE SUPPORTS IS HAVING THAT EXTRA VOTER IDENTIFICATION THAT WAS ADDED TO THE ABSENTEE BALLOT.

HE ALSO SUPPORTED ALLOWING GEORGIA CITIZENS TO HAVE TO READ APPLY TO HAVE A SECONDARY BALLOTS SENT TO THEM AS AUNTIE BALI IN THE EVENT THAT A RUNOFF WERE TO OCCUR.

HE ALSO IS STANDING.

I'M NOW SAYING THAT THEY NEED ARMED SECURITY.

AT OUR POLLING PLACE IS TURNING THEM INTO BATTLE GROUND FIELDS, AND WE KNOW THAT THE LAST THING WE NEED IS ARMED GUARDS AT ANY TYPE OF VOTING POLL IN PLACE BECAUSE THAT INTIMIDATES PEOPLE AND IS NOTHING.

BUT ANOTHER FORM OF VOTER INTIMIDATION.

WE KNOW THERE BRAD.

REFERENCE BURGER IS ALSO FIGHTING TO MAKE SURE THAT UNLIKE OTHER STATES.

HE DOESN'T WANT GEORGIA TO HAVE PEOPLE VOTING, WHO ARE MAYBE DON'T HAVE THEIR GREEN CARD, BUT DON'T WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO VOTE IN PARTICULAR, THE PROCESS LIKE, CALIFORNIA OR NEW YORK.

SO HE'S VERY ADAMANT ON THAT AS WELL.

SO THERE'S MANY THINGS THAT BRACKINS BURGER HAS DONE TO TRY TO PUT A BARRICADE FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO VOTE IN THE STATE OF, GEORGIA.

THE WIN.

ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH THAT ANSWER?

DO YOU HAVE A REBUTTAL?

I AGREE WITH REPRESENTATIVE DAWKINS HAIGLER.

BRAD RAVENSBURGER IS NOT A FRIEND, TO OUR DEMOCRACY.

IN ADDITION TO BACKING SENATE BILL, 20 TO THE 98 PAGE VOTER SUPPRESSION BILL, THAT CRIMINALIZES HANDING OUT A BOTTLE OF WATER TO VOTERS.

WAITING IN LINE.

HE RECENTLY CAME OUT AND STATED HE WANTS TO END AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION.

HE SUPPORTS ENDING NO, EXCUSE ABSENTEE, BALLOT VOTING, AND IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO TELL GEORGIA VOTERS.

EXACTLY WHO BRAD RACCOONS BURGER IS AND HE IS NOT A FRIEND TO OUR DEMOCRACY.

THANK YOU BOTH.

VIEW AND DI DAWKINS HAGEL.

YOU HAVE THE NEXT QUESTION FOR YOUR.

THANK YOU.

I REPRESENTED WHEN.

SO, YOUR TIME OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

YOU DID STAND UP TO BRAD, WRAPPINGS BURGER.

ESPECIALLY RUDY GIULIANI ABOUT THAT.

BOGUS VOTER FRAUD.

COULD YOU TELL ME WHAT ELSE COULD HAVE BEEN DONE ON YOUR PART OR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AS IT RELATED TO THAT BOGUS CLAIM OF VOTER FRAUD, WHEN RUDY GIULIANI AND TRUMP'S LEGAL TEAM VISITED, THE STATE LEGISLATURE IN 2020.

I KNEW WHAT WE WERE FACING.

WE WERE FACING A CONCERTED EFFORT BY GEORGIA, REPUBLICANS BASED ON LIES AND CONSPIRACY THEORIES TO TRY TO UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMACY OF THE 20/20 ELECTION.

I PERSONALLY WENT DOWN THAT VOTER FILE NAME BY NAME AND I CONTACTED GEORGIA VOTERS AND I CONFIRMED THAT THEY WERE LEGAL ELIGIBLE.

VOTERS IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA, IN THE AFTERMATH.

I WAS MET WITH DEATH THREATS FROM FOLKS WHO WERE HOLDING ONTO THESE LIES AND CONSPIRACY THEORIES AND I HAD TO MAKE A SAFETY PLAN IN THOSE MOMENTS.

I THOUGHT COULD WE BE IN THIS PLACE IN OUR COUNTRY WHERE WE ARE USING TRUTH AND FACTS, TO DEFEND THE LEGITIMACY OF OUR ELECTION SYSTEM.

IT DID NOT STOP ME FROM GOING BACK INTO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN 2021 AND FIGHTING AGAINST SENATE BILL 20 TO AS WELL AS OTHER VOTER SUPPRESSION LAWS IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA, AND I WILL CONTINUE TO DEFEND OUR GEORGIANS RIGHT TO VOTE.

ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH HER ANSWER?

DO YOU HAVE A REBUTTAL?

YES, I DO.

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT LIKE TEXAS MEDIA, THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEMBERS COULD HAVE LEFT THE STATE TO NOT EVEN GIVE THEM THE THE TIME OF DAY.

BUT I ALSO THINK THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ALSO FOUGHT DIRECTLY AGAINST RUDY GIULIANI, BUT THE PORK I HAVE TO MAKE TODAY IS WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO SAY IN NOVEMBER?

IF YOU WERE THE PERSON TO GO UP AGAINST BRAD?

DRAKENSBERG, BECAUSE HE'S GOING TO SAY THAT HE'S THE ONE WHO FOUGHT TRUMP AND THE ENTIRE PARTY.

I HAVE BEEN ONE AS THE LEADER OF THE GEORGIA, LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS OF CALL INTO HEARINGS CALLING, BRIAN, BRIAN KEMP, AND TWO HEARINGS, AND ALSO FIGHTING AGAINST BRAD, RAPIDS BURGER IN ALL TYPES OF PLACES OUTSIDE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

BE WIN.

PLEASE.

ASK YOUR SECOND QUESTION, REPRESENTATIVE DAWKINS HAIGLER, EVERY NONPARTISAN ELECTION.

EXPERT HAS AGREED THAT HAND.

MARK PAPER BALLOTS ARE THE MOST SECURE FORM OF VOTING AND YOU AND I BOTH AGREE ON THAT, AND IT'S ACTUALLY AN ISSUE WHERE WE COULD BRING GEORGIANS TOGETHER ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE YET SECRETARY OF STATE BRAD.

REFERENCE BURGER CONTINUES TO DEFEND THE MACHINES, EVEN AFTER WE'VE HAD NUMEROUS REPORTS BY CYBER SECURITY EXPERTS.

WHO SUGGEST THAT THERE ARE VULNERABILITIES WITHIN MACHINES.

WHY DO YOU THINK SO?

TERRY OF STATE, RAPIDS BURGER CONTINUES TO IGNORE THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.

THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

SECRETARY OF STATE.

BRAD, WRAPPINGS BURGER CONTINUE TO UPHOLD THAT STORY BECAUSE HE'S TRYING TO MAINTAIN POWER AND POWER NEVER CONCEDES POWER WITHOUT A DEMAND.

AND SO, I KNOW, AS BEING THE LEADER OF THE GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS OF NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, I WOULD HAVE TO BRING IN AT THAT TIME.

BRIAN CAME TO TALK ABOUT THE THINGS THAT WERE HAPPENING WITH OUR VOTING, ESPECIALLY, AS IT RELATES TO PAPER BALANCE.

THIS IS WHAT LED ME INTO.

2016 2 SU WITH MY OWN MONEY WITHOUT BEING IN LITIGATION WITH ANY OTHER INDIVIDUALS, THE STATE OF GEORGIA, TO TALK ABOUT HOW DANGEROUS IT WAS TO HAVE THESE MACHINES, THAT WERE FLIPPING PEOPLE'S VOTES OR CHANGE, THE CHANGING NAMES OR PEOPLE NOT UNDERSTANDING WHAT WAS HAPPENING, OR WHEN THEY WENT IN.

THEY WERE GIVEN THE WRONG BALANCE.

AT THAT TIME.

THEY WERE NOT GIVEN CALLS, MANY, THEIR BALLOTS WERE SPOILED AND THEY DID NOT GET ANOTHER ONE, BUT BECAUSE I SUED IN 2016, BY THE TIME THE 2018 AND 2020 ELECTIONS CAME AROUND.

NOW YOU'RE ABLE TO GET YOUR PAPER BALLOT AS WELL AS SEE.

WHO'S LISTED ON THAT BALLOT?

AND IF IT'S NOT RIGHT, YOU CAN GIVE IT BACK TO THE PEOPLE AT THE BOARD OF ELECTION OFFICE.

AND THEY WERE VOID IT OUT AND GIVE YOU ANOTHER BALLOT TO VOTE.

THE PROPER WAY.

BE WHEN THERE'S TIME FOR REBUTTAL.

I AGREE WITH MRS. DAWKINS HAIGLER THAT THIS IS A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE CAN IMPROVE OUR ELECTION SYSTEM AND IT'S IMPORTANT FOR GEORGIA VOTERS TO KNOW THAT THIS IS PAR FOR THE COURSE FOR BRAD, REFERENCE BURGER AND NOT JUST WHEN IT COMES TO OUR VOTING LAWS, THE MAJORITY OF GEORGIANS OPPOSE.

OVERTURNING ROE V-- WADE, BRAD, RAVENSBURGER SUPPORTS AN OUTRIGHT, BAN, THE E OF GEORGIANS OPPOSE GUN EVERYWHERE.

BRAD RAVENSBURGER HAS AN A RATING FROM THE NRA.

GEORGIA VOTERS.

NEED TO KNOW THAT.

BRAD RAVENSBURGER IS NOT OUR FRIEND.

THANK YOU.

BOTH DO DAWKINS HAIGLER.

YOU GET THE FINAL QUESTION IN THIS ROUND.

THANK YOU.

SO, THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE IS THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE.

AND YOU MENTIONED BEING OVER NONPROFIT.

COULD YOU TELL US WHAT TYPE OF EXPERIENCE THAT YOU HAVE WITH A NON-PROFIT, YOU STARTED?

AND DID YOU HAVE ANY OTHER RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE THAT WILL QUALIFY YOU TO BE THE SECRETARY OF STATE?

THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION, I'VE DEDICATED NEARLY MY ENTIRE CAREER TO THE NONPROFIT SECTOR TO ADDRESS.

THE FAILED POLICY ISSUES MADE BY THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY, INCLUDING SERVING AS AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR A NON-PROFIT WORKING INSIDE.

OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM FOR 10 YEARS AND I WITNESSED FIRSTHAND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DECIDES TO DEFUND, OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM.

MY TIME AT GEORGIA, BUDGET AND POLICY INSTITUTE AND NEW AMERICAN LEADERS FOCUSED ON POLICY ISSUES THAT DRIVE.

JORDAN'S CARE ABOUT INCLUDING ECONOMIC SECURITY INCLUDING ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE AND INCLUDING CRIMINAL LEGAL REFORM.

THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS A GOVERNMENT OFFICE.

THAT IS SUPPOSED TO SERVE THE GREATER PUBLIC GOOD.

AND I'VE SENT NEARLY MY ENTIRE CAREER SERVING THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA AND I INTEND TO DO SO AS GEORGIA SECRETARY OF STATE.

TIME FOR EVERYBODY.

YES.

AND SO WE'VE DONE RESEARCHER.

WE CAN'T FIND OUT EXACTLY.

WHERE ARE YOU WORRIED?

BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT BY NOW THAT I HAVE THE EXPERIENCE WHERE EXPERIENCE MATTERS, I HAVE THE EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS THE PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS THE EXPERTISE IN VOTING RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS, AS WELL AS NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT AS WELL AS CORPORATE AMERICA, AS WELL AS SECURITY AND EXCHANGES.

ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE NEEDED TO EFFICIENTLY, RUN ALL FIVE DIVISIONS OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE BECAUSE THIS JOB DOES NOT COME WITH TRAINING WHEELS, NOR INSTRUCTIONS, BUT IT NEEDS SOMEONE WHO IS READY TO OPERATE.

THE DUTIES ON DAY ONE AND I AM THAT CANDIDATE.

AND SO I KNOW THAT PROFESSIONALISM AND EXPERIENCE MATTERS.

THANK YOU TO THE BOTH OF YOU THAT CONCLUDES OUR SECOND ROUND FOR THOSE JUST JOINING US.

THIS IS THE RUNOFF DEBATE BETWEEN DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

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

AND AS A POINT OF MODERATORS PRIVILEGE, I MAY ALSO ASK QUESTIONS OF THE CANDIDATES.

I WILL DETERMINE WHEN A REBUTTAL IS APPROPRIATE, PATRICIA MURPHY, YOU GET THE FIRST QUESTION IN THIS.

THIS ROUND.

ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A QUESTION FOR BOTH CANDIDATES.

HOW DO YOU GRADE THE ACCESS AND SECURITY OF GEORGIA, ELECTIONS?

AND WHAT COULD YOU DO AS SECRETARY OF STATE TO IMPROVE THAT?

IF YOU THINK IMPROVEMENTS ARE NEEDED, EVEN IF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY REMAINS IN REPUBLICAN HANDS?

MISS WIN.

THAT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT QUESTION.

WHAT CAN WE DO AS SECRETARY OF STATE IF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY REMAINS IN PUBLIC HANDS?

WHAT I HAVE WITNESSED AS A LAWMAKER FOR THE PAST, FIVE YEARS IS OUR LOCAL ELECTION BOARDS.

DO NOT FEEL ADEQUATELY SUPPORTED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

THAT MEANS WE HAVE TO INVEST IN ALL OF OUR LOCAL ELECTION BOARDS TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO RUN, FREE FAIR AND EFFICIENT ELECTIONS AND 159 COUNTIES.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT VOTERS ARE OFTEN CONFUSED BY THE FACT HE'S CHANGING IN NUANCE LAWS, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONTINUES TO MAKE CHANGES TO OUR ELECTION LAWS.

THAT MEANS INVESTING IN VOTER OUTREACH AND VOTER COMMUNICATION.

SO VOTERS, KNOW EXACTLY WHERE THEY NEED TO GO TO CAST.

THEIR BALLOT VOTERS, KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE DEADLINES ARE AROUND.

ABSENTEE BALLOT VOTING AND VOTERS.

KNOW WHEN ELECTIONS ARE BEING HELD AND FINALLY, WE HAVE TO PUT TOGETHER A PLAN TO MITIGATE ELECTION DISINFORMATION, WHICH IS RAMPANT, WHICH IS CAUSED BY REPUBLICANS AND PART OF THAT, A SECRETARY OF STATE IS I WOULD CREATE A DIVISION TO SOLELY ADDRESS THAT.

THANK YOU, BENJAMIN PAIN.

IT'S YOUR TURN TO ASK A QUESTION.

THE QUESTION WAS FOR BOTH CANDIDATES.

SO MISTER, I'M SORRY.

I'M SORRY, MY MY MISTAKE HERE BEHAVIOR.

YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ANSWER THE QUESTION AS WELL.

AND I FORGOT THE QUESTION, BUT I THINK I HAVE THE QUESTION.

SO BASICALLY, WHAT I WOULD DO AS SECRETARY OF STATE HAS HAD THE POLITICAL WILL TO DO WHAT IS JUST AND RIGHT.

WE KNEW WHEN WE WENT INTO THAT SYSTEM, GETTING THE DOMINION FORM OF VOTING SYSTEM, WAS NOT THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

NOT TO.

MENTIONED THAT IT SHOWS UP IN RURAL AREAS THAT SOMETIMES DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO BROADBAND, WHICH MAKES IT INEFFECTIVE AT TIMES, WHEN MEETING PEOPLE TO VOTE, WHICH SOMETIMES WILL CAUSE THE MACHINES TO MALFUNCTION, THAT WILL CREATE LONG LINES SOMETIMES IN POLLING PLACES.

AND IT ALSO CREATES CONFUSION AS FAR AS WHO SOMETIMES ON THE BALLOT, BECAUSE WE RUSHED INTO THIS AND THIS ELECTION SEASON FROM REDISTRICTING.

AND PEOPLE WERE CONFUSED.

THERE WERE TWO SETS OF BALANCE, SOMETIMES AND POLLING PLACES AND YOU WERE GIVING OUT THE WRONG ONES TO THE WRONG PEOPLE.

AND ALL OF THIS COMES COMES DOWN TO EDUCATION.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE PERSON WHO SERVED IN THIS CAPACITY IN THIS ROLE IS ABLE TO GET OUT THE RIGHT EDUCATION AND INFORMATION TO VOTERS ALL ACROSS THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

SO THAT THAT TYPE OF CONFUSION WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN, NOT TO MENTION.

WE KNOW THAT IN GEORGIA, YOU HAVE TO, TO WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

AND I THINK A DEMOCRAT IN THAT PLACE WILL DO THE RIGHT THING BECAUSE REPRESENTATION MATTERS.

THANK YOU.

BOTH OF YOU BENJAMIN PAIN.

IT IS NOW YOUR TURN TO ASK THE QUESTION.

THANK YOU.

SO, AS LISA MENTIONED AT THE BEGINNING I LIVE IN AND SAVANNAH IS A HUGE HUB FOR COMMERCE.

NOT JUST DOMESTICALLY WITHIN GEORGIA, AND THE US, BUT INTERNATIONALLY BECAUSE WE'VE GOT THE PORT OF SAVANNAH.

IT'S ONE OF THE BUSIEST PORTS IN THE COUNTRY.

AND SO, AS SECRETARY OF STATE, YOU WOULDN'T JUST BE THE CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER.

YOU WOULD BE A SORT OF BUSINESS OFFICER FOR THE STATE HEADING, THE STATES CORPORATIONS DIVISION.

SO, IN THAT CAPACITY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO SERVE GEORGE'S, SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY, AND PEOPLE LOOKING TO BECOME SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS FOR THE FIRST TIME.

AND WHICHEVER ONES TO START START, OKAY, I'LL TAKE IT OFF.

AND SO THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION BECAUSE GEORGIA SECRETARY OF STATE DOES OVERSEE THE CORPORATION'S DIVISION, AS WELL AS LICENSING, BUT I'M GOING TO START WITH THE CORPORATIONS BECAUSE THERE ARE OVER 1 MILLION BUSINESSES IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

AND YOU MENTIONED SAVANNAH, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE WHO WERE DOWN AT THE PORTS, WHETHER THEY ARE THE INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMAN OR WHETHER THEY ARE WORKING AT THE PORT AUTHORITY, HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED, BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF PRODUCTS AND COMMERCE COMING IN, THROUGH OUT OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, AND WE ARE, RIGHT NOW, A SUPPLY-DEMAND, ALL ACROSS THE WORLD.

AND SO GEORGIA HAS TO CONTINUE TO PUT THOSE RESOURCES INTO THE SAVANNAH TO MAKE SURE THAT BUSINESSES CAN COME TO SAVANNAH AND BE ABLE TO FUNCTION EFFICIENTLY EFFICIENTLY.

BUT WHEN YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE LICENSING PROCESS, THAT MEANS WHEN SOMEONE ELSE IS ALREADY CERTIFIED IN ANOTHER STATE AND THEY TRY TO COME TO GEORGIA, TO HAVE RECIPROCITY IN THEIR LICENSING, WHETHER THAT IS NURSES OR WHETHER THAT IS ENGINEERS ARCHITECTS.

THEY SOMETIMES COME UP WITH PROBLEMS.

SO WE NEED TO HAVE A CUSTOMER.

US-BASED ORIENTED SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE, THAT UNDERSTANDS ONE, HOW TO GET PEOPLE LICENSE INTO HOW TO GET PEOPLE INCORPORATED WITH THEIR BUSINESSES AND TO GET THEM RE CORPORATED INCORPORATED WHEN IT'S TIME FOR THEM TO HAVE RENEWAL.

THANK YOU BE WILLING.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO ANSWER THE QUESTION?

THE CORPORATION AND LICENSURE DIVISIONS ARE IMPORTANT.

ASPECTS OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE, WHERE WE DO SHARE A COMMON GROUND WITH MEMBERS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, AND THAT MEANS, AS SECRETARY OF STATE, I WOULD WORK ON REMOVING INHIBITED BARRIERS FOR ENTREPRENEURS AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, AND DEVELOP WAYS IN WHICH ENTREPRENEURS AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS SPECIFICALLY, MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES CAN HAVE ACCESS TO CAPITAL THE SAME WITH LICENSURE DIVISION.

WE AGREE THAT WE NEED TO INVEST IN THE WORKFORCE IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA, WHICH MEANS EXPANDING LICENSE RECIPROCITY.

IT MEANS EXPANDING INTERSTATE COMPACT.

IT MEANS REMOVING BARRIERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN PART OF THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM.

SO THEY CAN OBTAIN OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES.

IT MEANS WHEN SOMEBODY MOVES TO THE STATE OF GEORGIA, THEY'RE ABLE TO TAKE THEIR TRADE WITH THEM AND ENTER INTO OUR WORKFORCE.

I THINK WHAT IS IMPORTANT?

IMPORTANT TO NOTE THOUGH IS THAT GEORGIA REPUBLICANS?

THEY WANT TO TAKE THE SECRETARY OF STATE SEAT FOR ONE REASON AND ONE REASON ONLY IT IS TO HIJACK.

OUR ELECTION SYSTEM.

I'D LIKE TO ASK BOTH OF YOU MASS SHOOTINGS HAVE CERTAINLY BEEN IN THE NEWS LATELY AND AS THE SECOND IN CHARGE OF THE STATE YOU CERTAINLY DO HAVE A VOICE.

WHAT WOULD YOUR VOICE BE WHEN IT COMES TO GUN CONTROL AND GUN REGULATION D HAIGLER.

THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION.

SO OUT OF ALL THE INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD AMERICA.

AS THE MOST LOOSE RESTRICTIONS ON GUNS.

AND SO IT IS CROSS A SITUATION THAT'S UNCONTROLLABLE.

AND IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER IT IS WHITE DOMESTIC TERRORISTS THAT ARE SHOOTING UP SCHOOLS OR CHURCHES OR NIGHTCLUBS OR WHETHER IT IS.

THE YOUNG PEOPLE, YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WERE SHOOTING EACH OTHER ON THE STREETS OR WHETHER IT IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

WHEN YOU FIND YOURSELF IN THE SITUATION AND SOMEONE HAS EASY TO ACCESS TO A GUN, AMERICA HAS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS AND ESPECIALLY IN GEORGIA BECAUSE YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO GO TO PLACES LIKE LINUX MARKET.

ALL YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO TRAVEL AND WALK DOWN THE STREETS OF AUGUSTA, WHERE MY HUSBAND IS STATIONED AT FORT GORDON AND PEACE OR WHETHER YOU ARE IN THE NORTHEASTERN PART OF THE STATE.

WE HAVE TO HAVE SENSIBLE GUN LAWS.

AND FOR THE REPUBLICANS NOW, TO MAKE IT WITH THERE IS NOT EVEN A MANDATORY BACKGROUND, CHECK FOR YOU TO NO LONGER HAVE TO CARRY YOUR RIGHT.

YOUR WEAPONS CARD IS VERY DANGEROUS AND WE CANNOT KEEP THIS UP BECAUSE I AM THE MOTHER OF SONS AND I WORRY ABOUT THEM GOING IN AND OUT THE HOUSE EVERYDAY.

BLACK BOYS BEING NOT ONLY GEARED TOWARDS THE POLICE, BUT ALSO, TO WHAT OTHERS WHO HAVE ACCESS TO GUNS IN AMERICA.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, REPRESENTATIVE WIN THE ABILITY TO CAST YOUR BALLOT BOX, YOUR VOTE AT THE BALLOT BOX, WITHOUT BARRIERS TO ENSURE THAT YOUR VOTE IS COUNTED AND THE RESULTS ARE UPHELD.

ARE DIRECTLY TIED TO ELECTING PEOPLE WHO REPRESENT THE POLICIES THAT GEORGIANS SUPPORT AND THE MAJORITY OF GEORGIANS OPPOSED GUNS EVERYWHERE.

A LAW THAT GEORGIA REPUBLICANS PASS PROTECTING THE BALLOT BOX IS GOING TO BE A ROLE THAT AT THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS SO THAT VOTERS CAN FREELY GO AND ELECT THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THEIR CHOICE.

WE ABSOLUTELY NEED TO PASS COMMON-SENSE GUN SAFETY MEASURES.

AND AS GEORGIANS, WE KNOW THAT BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE AGREE ON THAT.

THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT, THAT GEORGIANS KNOW THAT SECRETARY OF STATE BRAD, ROTHANS BERGER HAS AN A RATING FROM THE NRA.

HE IS SUPPORTING THE GUNS EVERYWHERE LAW THAT THE MAJORITY OF GEORGIANS OPPOSED LIKE TO THANK BOTH OF YOU FOR YOUR ANSWER.

THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR QUESTIONS.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL NOW HAVE 60 SECONDS FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT, D. DAWKINS HAIGLER, YOU GET THE FIRST CLOSING STATEMENT.

THANK YOU.

AND SO I AM APPEALING TO ALL THE CITIZENS OF GEORGIA TO VOTE FOR ME AND TO SUPPORT MY CAMPAIGN AS THE DESCENDANT OF SLAVES.

COMING TO A COUNTRY WHERE WE DIDN'T EVEN HAVE THE RIGHTS.

IT IS NOT INCUMBENT UPON US TO CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY SINGLE GEORGIA, NO MATTER THEIR RACE OR ETHNICITY HAS THAT, RIGHT?

KNOWING THAT THE REPUBLIC HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO CHANGE THE GOAL POST AND THE RULES, WE KNOW THAT MANY OF MY ANCESTORS HAD TO TRY TO PASS TESTS THAT THEY COULD NOT PASS LIKE TRYING TO COUNT THE NUMBER OF BUBBLES IN A BAR ON JELLYBEANS IN A JAR.

AND NOW THAT WE HAVE EXERCISE OUR RIGHT TO VOTE.

THEY'RE NOT TRYING TO CHANGE THE RULES AND ADDING ON EXTRA LAYERS, BUT NOT JUST IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA, BUT ALL ACROSS AMERICA AND WE CAN DO BETTER.

AND SO I AM THAT CANDIDATE WHO IS READY TO GO UP AGAINST BRAD.

DRAKENSBERG AND JUST LIKE I DID WHEN BRIAN KEMP WAS THE SECRETARY OF STATE WHEN I SERVED AS THE CHAIR OF THE GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS?

BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THE ISSUES WE'RE FIGHTING TODAY, MAKE TYPE OF SENSE AND I THOUGHT MANY OF THESE BATTLES HAVE BEEN WON AND FOUGHT WITH MY GRANDMOTHER FOUGHT THEM.

AND NOW IT'S VERY DISHEARTENING TO WATCH.

MY GRANDDAUGHTER HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE EXACT SAME THINGS OF MY GRANDMOTHER DID AND SO I AM THAT CANDIDATE.

DO DAWKINS HAIGLER, AND I'M ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR GEORGIA, SECRETARY OF STATE REPRESENTATIVE.

WHEN PLEASE GIVE YOUR CLOSING STATEMENT, THIS RACE IS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR DEMOCRACY.

AND I AM RUNNING FOR SECRETARY OF STATE TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE FREE FAIR AND EFFICIENT ELECTIONS AND ALL 159 OF OUR COUNTIES AS A STATE LAWMAKERS.

MAKER FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS.

I'VE WITNESSED GEORGIA REPUBLICANS AND BRAD.

REFERENCE BURGER ATTACKER FUNDAMENTAL, RIGHT TO VOTE IN A ROAD.

OUR DEMOCRACY, INCLUDING THE PASSAGE OF A 98 PAGE BILL THAT CRIMINALIZES HANDING OUT A BOTTLE OF WATER TO A VOTER WAITING IN LINE.

I'VE TAKEN ON BRAD RAPID BURGER, I'VE TAKEN ON TRUMP'S LEGAL TEAM IN, RUDY GIULIANI, EVEN IN THE FACE OF DEATH REPS. GEORGIA VOTERS SHOULD KNOW THAT BRAD.

RAVENSBURGER IS NOT OUR FRIEND.

HE IS CURRENTLY RUNNING HIS CAMPAIGN ON CONSPIRACY THEORIES, INCLUDING THE AND THAT NON CITIZENS ARE VOTING.

I HAVE TAKEN ON BRAD RAVENSBURGER.

I AM PREPARED TO BEAT HIM IN NOVEMBER AND I'VE EARNED THE ENDORSEMENT OF STACEY ABRAMS AND I WILL DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO CROSS A LINE IN NOVEMBER TO ENSURE THAT WE DO NOT ELECT BRIAN KEMP OR BRAD.

RAVENSBURGER REPRESENTATIVE BE WINDY DAWKINS HAIGLER.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

ALSO, WANT TO THANK OUR PANELISTS, PATRICIA MURPHY AND BENJAMIN PAIN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY THAT CONCLUDES OUR DEBATE.

WE'D LIKE TO REMIND VOTERS.

HAS THAT ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, JUNE 21ST.

OUR THANKS TO THE CANDIDATES AND TO OUR PANEL OF JOURNALISTS AGAIN, AND WE ALSO LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB.

FOR ARRANGING TODAY'S DEBATE.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DEBATES.

THEY WILL HOST THIS ELECTION SEASON VISIT.

ATLANTAPRESSCLUB.ORG.

CAM.

I'M LISA RAM.

THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB.

LOUDERMILK-YOUNG DEBATE SERIES.