>>> THE 2018 ATLANTA PRESS CLUB LOUDERMILK YOUNG DEBATE CLUB, BROUGHT TO YOU FROM THE STUDIOS OF GEORGIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

THIS IS THE RACE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

>> WELCOME, I'M CLAIRE SIMMS, A MULTIMEDIA JOURNALIST WITH FOX5.

YOU ARE WATCHING THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB LOUDERMILK YOUNG DEBATE SERIES ORIGINATING FROM THE STUDIOS OF GEORGIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING IN ATLANTA.

THIS IS THE DEBATE AMONG CANDIDATES FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

LET'S MEET THE CANDIDATES.

THEY ARE, IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER -- JOHN BARROW SERVED AS GEORIA'S 12th DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN THE U.S.

CONGRESS FROM 2005 TO 2015.

HE THEN TAUGHT CLASSES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA.

SMYTHE DUVAL IS A VETERAN, A REGISTERED NURSE AND WORKS IN THE MEDICAL I.T.

FIELD.

AND BRAD RAFFENSPERGER IS CEO AND OWNER OF TENDON SYSTEMS, LLC, WHICH IS A SPECIALTY CONTRACTING AND ENGINEERING DESIGN FIRM.

NOW, LET'S MEET OUR PANELISTS -- TOM BAXTER COVERS POLITICS IN THE SOUTH FOR SAPORTA REPORT.

AND VERONICA WATERS IS AN ANCHOR AND REPORTER WITH WSB RADIO.

NOW LET'S GET STARTED.

FOR 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.

TOM BAXTER, YOU GET THE FIRST QUESTION TO BRAD RAFFENSPERGER.

>> DURING BRIAN KEMP'S TENURE AS SECRETARY OF STATE, THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE HAS GIVEN UP CONTROL OF MEDICAL COMPOSITE BOARD AND THE NURSES BOARD AS WAYS TO GET OUT FROM UNDER THE OFFICE.

HAS THIS DIMINISHED THE POWER OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE?

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?

WHY DO THESE BOARDS WANT TO LEAVE?

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

I CAN'T REALLY SPEAK ABOUT THE PAST.

I HAVE HEARD FROM THE NURSES.

I'M THE ONLY BUSINESS PERSON IN THIS RACE.

I'M A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER LICENSED BY GEORGIA.

THOSE TWO BOARDS HAVE BEEN PLEASED WITH MY SERVICE.

IF THERE ARE BOARDS THAT NEED FIXING, NEED SOME MODIFICATIONS, LEGISLATIVELY OR ADMINISTRATIVELY, THAT WILL BE MY FIRST FOCUS THIS COMING SESSION AS WE WORK THROUGH ANY CHANGE THAT WE NEED.

I HAVE HEARD FROM THE NURSES.

I KNOW THAT WE DO NEED TO MAKE CHANGES.

>> KEEP THEM -- >> I WOULD WANT TO KEEP THEM.

TO ME, IF I DON'T KEEP THEM, I WANT TO GIVE IT MY BEST SHOT.

I'M A BUSINESSOWNER.

ONE OF THE THINGS I DO EVERY DAY AS AN ENGINEER AND BUSINESSOWNER IS SOLVE PROBLEMS.

THAT'S WHAT I INTEND TO DO IS SOLVE THE PROBLEMS.

THERE'S OVER 130 DIFFERENT BOARDS, 40 LICENSES.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE FIX THEM.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

VERONICA WATERS, YOU MAY NOW ASK SMYTHE DUVAL A QUESTION.

DOES THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAVE A MORAL IMPERATIVE TO MAKE SURE AS MANY CITIZENS AS POSSIBLE, REGARDLESS OF DEMOGRAPHIC AND PARTY, ARE REGISTERED AND ABLE TO VOTE?

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

YES.

THE QUICK ANSWER IS QUESTION.

WE HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY IN THIS COUNTRY.

IT'S ABSOLUTELY A TRAVESTY IF YOU USE BUREAUCRATIC MEASURES OR WAYS TO PREVENT PEOPLE FROM VOTING.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I AM MOST ALARMED BY THE NUMBER OF PRECINCTS THAT HAVE BEEN CLOSING ACROSS THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO TAKE SERIOUSLY.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I AM ADVOCATING FOR IS WHAT'S KNOWN AS SAME-DAY VOTER REGISTRATION.

SAME-DAY VOTER REGISTRATION NOT ONLY WOULD IT CREATE MORE ACCURATE ROLES, BECAUSE YOU CAN DO IT IN REAL TIME, BUT IT WOULD BE A HEDGE AGAINST ABUSIVE MISCHIEF.

IT HAS BEEN ENACTED IN 16 OTHER STATES.

I BELIEVE IT WOULD BENEFIT US TO BRING IT HERE IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

TOM BAXTER, PLEASE ASK A QUESTION TO JOHN BARROW.

>> A FEDERAL JUDGE RULED AGAINST THE MOTION TO FORCE THE USE OF PAPER BALLOTS IN THIS FALL'S ELECTION.

SHE SAID STATE ELECTION OFFICIALS HAD BURIED THEIR HEADS IN THE SAND ABOUT WEAKNESSES IN THE STATE'S VOTING SYSTEM.

SHE SAID IT WAS LIKELY THE PLAINTIFFS WOULD EVENTUALLY WIN THEIR CASE.

WHAT IMMEDIATE CHANGES MUST THE NEXT SECRETARY OF STATE MAKE TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM?

>> FIRST OFF, THE JUDGE IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE HAS DRUG ITS FEET FOR A LONG TIME, HAD ITS HEAD BURIED IN THE SAND ABOUT THE ISSUE.

THE STANDARD IS NOT WHETHER YOU CAN PROVE AN ELECTION MACHINE HAS BEEN HACKED.

ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I WOULD DO AS SETTING OF STATE WOULD BE TO CONVENE THE PROCEEDING TO DECERTIFY THE MACHINES.

THEY NO LONGER MEET THE STATUTORY STANDARD LAID OUT BY THE FOLKS WHO BOUGHT THE MACHINES IN 2002.

THIS IS VERY MUCH IN KEEPING WITH AN ISSUE ADDRESSING -- THAT WAS ADDRESSED IN THE FIRST QUESTION.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAN ADDRESS THE PEOPLE IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

IT HAS BEEN HIS RESPONSIBILITY TO EXERCISE OVERSIGHT OVER THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.

THERE'S BEEN A FAILURE TO MAKE SURE THE VOTERS CAST BALLOTS THAT ARE COUNTED EXACTLY THE WAY THEY CAST THEM.

>> THANK YOU.

BECAUSE YOU WERE MENTIONED IN THAT LAST ANSWER, I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU A MOMENT TO RESPOND.

>> AS I CAMPAIGNED THE LAST YEAR, WHAT I HAVE BEEN TELLING EVERYONE IS WE NEED TO UPDATE THE VOTING MACHINES, IF FOR NO OTHER REASON THEY WERE PUT INTO SERVICE IN 2002.

THEY ARE 16 YEARS OLD.

WE NEED TO UPDATE IT.

WE NEED SOMETHING WITH A VERIFIABLE AUDIT TRAIL.

I INTRODUCED AND WE PASSED A BILL TO ALLOW BUSINESSOWNERS TO RENEW THEIR CORPORATION FOR MY PUSH TO DEREGULATE AND REDUCE REGULATIONS ON OUR BUSINESSES AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THAT CONCLUDES THE FIRST PORTION OF THE DEBATE.

THE CANDIDATES WILL NOW ASK A QUESTION TO ONE OF THEIR OPPONENTS.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE 30 SECONDS TO ASK THE QUESTION, 60 SECONDS TO RESPOND AND 30 SECONDS FOR A REBUTTAL.

BY RANDOM SELECTION, JOHN BARROW, YOU MAY ASK THE FIRST QUESTION TO ONE OF YOUR OPPONENTS.

>> THANK YOU.

BRAD, YOU ARE A SUCCESSFUL GUY.

YOU ARE WORTH 30 SOMETHING MANAGE DOLLARS.

SINCE 2005, YOU HAVE BEEN DELINQUENT ON PROPERTY TAXES.

THIS WAS ACTUALLY MADE AN ISSUE IN YOUR CAMPAIGN FOR CITY COUNCIL IN 2011.

YOU CAMPAIGNED IN 2015.

AGAIN, IN YOUR CAMPAIGN FOR SECRETARY OF STATE THIS YEAR.

YOU DIDN'T PAY YOUR PROPERTY TAXES UNTIL THIS YEAR.

CAN YOU TELL US THE REASON WHY YOU DIDN'T PAY YOUR TAXES UNTIL THIS YEAR?

>> WELL, WE DO OVER $30 MILLION A YEAR.

EACH YEAR WE PAY OVER $1 MILLION OF TAXES IN ALL THE STATES WE WORK IN.

WE WORKED IN OVER 30 TO 35 DIFFERENT STATES.

LIKE I SAID BACK IN THE SPRING, IF THERE'S SOMETHING WE MISSED, WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO TAKE CARE OF IT.

>> WE BOTH KNOW THE REAL REASON.

THIS WAS MADE AN ISSUE IN 2011 AND 2015 AND IN 2018.

THE REAL REASON IS BECAUSE THERE'S A TECHNICALITY IN THE LAW THAT ALLOWS YOU TO PAY YOUR TAXES LATE, EVEN IF YOU QUALIFIED AS A DELINQUENT, IF IT WAS NOT DETERMINED IN A COURT OF LAW.

THE ONLY REASON YOU PAID IT THIS YEAR IS BECAUSE YOUR OPPONENT FILED A COMPLAINT THAT WAS GOING TO GET YOU KNOCKED OFF THE BALLOT.

YOU HAVE TAKEN SOMETHING DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE INNOCENT AND TURNED IT INTO A SAFE HARBOR FOR DEADBEATS.

>> THANK YOU.

BRAD RAFFENSPERGER, YOU MAY NOW ASK A QUESTION TO ONE OF YOUR OPPONENTS.

>> YOU WERE QUOTED THIS YEAR SAYING YOU WOULD NOT KEEP THE VOTER REGISTRATION LIST CLEAN BY REMOVING INACTIVE VOTERS.

DO YOU STILL STAND BY YOUR POSITION TO ALLOW DIRTY, INACCURATE VOTING REGISTRATION LISTS?

>> BRAD, YOU OUGHT TO KNOW IF YOU READ THE ARTICLE THAT THAT SAY MISREPRESENTATION OF WHAT I SAID.

I'M QUOTED IN THAT VERY ARTICLE AS SAYING, OF COURSE WE HAVE TO UPDATE OUR VOTING ROLES TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE WHO MOVED, DIED ARE KEPT OFF THE ROLES.

THERE ARE MORE RELIABLE WAYS THAN A POSTCARD PURGE PROGRAM THAT HAS AN UNRELIABILITY RATE OF UPWARDS OF 30%.

I SUPPORT UPDATING THE VOTING ROLES AND I HAVE TAKEN THAT POSITION OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

I SUPPORT USING THE SOCIAL SECURITY RECORDS OF PEOPLE WHO DIED, DEATH CERTIFICATES, U.S.

POSTAL SERVICE REPORTS OF PEOPLE WHO MOVED.

THOSE THINGS ARE MORE RELIABLE THAN A POSTCARD PURGE.

IT'S EASIER TO REGISTER TO VOTE TODAY THAN IT HAS BEEN IN THE PAST PROVIDED YOU HAVE THE RIGHT KIND OF I.D.

IT'S ALSO EASIER TO GET BUMPED FROM THE ROLES THAN TO LOSE YOUR WATER SERVICE AT HOME.

THAT'S NOT RIGHT.

I THINK THE ABILITY TO VOTE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE ABILITY TO FLUSH YOUR TOILET.

YET, YOU ARE PURSUING METHODS THAT ARE SO UNRELIABLE THAT THEY DEGRADE THE VOTING ROLES.

>> PEOPLE LIKE JOHN ARE WHY WE NEED PHOTO I.D.

>> THANK YOU BOTH.

>> ANOTHER THING THAT I SUPPORT.

>> IT'S YOUR TURN TO ASK A QUESTION OF ONE OF YOUR OPPONENTS.

>> YOU HAVE MENTIONED IN PREVIOUS DEBATES THAT YOU ARE FOR PURCHASING ELECTRONIC BALLOT MARKERS TO BE USED AS GEORGIA'S NEW VOTING SYSTEM.

IN PURCHASING 30,000 OF THESE, IT'S GOING TO COST GEORGIA VOTERS OVER AN EXTRA $100 MILLION, OR TRIPLE THE COST OF A HAND MARKED PAPER BALLOT AND SCANNING MACHINE, THE TYPE OF CONFIGURATION USED IN 70% OF THE OTHER STATES.

HOW CAN YOU CLAIM TO BE A CONSERVATIVE WHILE JUSTIFYING SUCH AN EXTRAVAGANT EXPENSE?

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE PROTECT THE VOTE, THERE'S AN INTEGRITY OF THE VOTING PROCESS.

THE COMMISSION IS LOOKING AT SEVERAL PLATFORMS.

THERE'S FIVE OR SIX PLATFORMS OUT THERE.

SOME ARE 100% PAPER.

SOME ARE ELECTRONIC WITH PAPER MARKING.

THERE'S OTHER MEANS.

WHAT I SAID, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S SAFE AND SECURE AND THAT WE HAVE A VERIFIABLE PAPER AUDIT TRAIL.

WHAT COMES OUT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL HOPEFULLY ALLOW US TO PUT THAT OUT TO BID AND WE HAVE NEW VOTING MACHINES UP TO DATE, READY TO GO FOR NEXT FALL 2019 SO THAT WE ARE READY FOR THE 2020 ELECTIONS.

>> YOU HAVE A REBUTTAL?

>> I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE UP HERE THAT HAS I.T.

MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS CYBER SECURITY MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE.

I HAVE DONE MY HOMEWORK BY ATTENDING THESE SAFE COMMITTEE MEETINGS.

A SOLUTION COULD COST OVER $140 MILLION.

IT'S LESS SECURE.

I PROPOSE THAT WE DO A HAND MARK PAPER BALLOT.

I AM THE FISCAL CONSERVATIVE IN THIS RACE.

>> THANK YOU.

THAT CONCLUDES OUR SECOND ROUND.

FOR THOSE JUST JOINING US, THIS IS THE DEBATE BETWEEN CANDIDATES FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

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

AS A POINT OF MODERATOR PRIVILEDGE, I MAY ALSO ASK QUESTIONS OF THE CANDIDATES.

I WILL DETERMINE WHEN A REBUTTAL IS APPROPRIATE.

WE ARE GOING TO START NOW.

VERONICA WATERS, YOU GET THE FIRST QUESTION IN THIS ROUND.

>> THANKS.

GEORGIA IS ONE OF THE FIVE MOST VULNERABLE STATES WHEN IT COMES TO ELECTION SECURITY.

WHAT DO YOU PROPOSE TO TURN THAT AROUND?

JUST HOW IMPORTANT IS A VERIFIABLE PAPER BACKUP?

>> I THINK IT'S ESSENTIAL.

I WOULD CALL IT A PRIMARY VOTING SYSTEM.

WE NEED A SYSTEM WHERE THE VOTER CAN LOOK AT THE BALLOT BEFORE THEY CAST IT AND DETERMINE THAT'S ACTUALLY THE BALLOT THEY WANT TO CAST.

THEN YOU PUT IT INTO A SCANNER, IF APPROPRIATE, TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT MAKING SOME OBVIOUS MISTAKE THAT YOU CAN FIX BEFORE IT'S CAST INTO THE BOX.

THEN YOU HAVE A BALLOT THAT CAN BE READ BY THE VOTER, COUNTED AFTERWARDS AND RECOUNTED IF NECESSARY.

I WOULD FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE THAT'S IN GEORGIA LAW RIGHT NOW TO DECERTIFY THESE MACHINES, NOT BECAUSE THEY AIN'T GOOD ENOUGH FOR GOVERNMENT WORK.

THAT'S JUST IT.

THEY ARE ONLY GOOD ENOUGH FOR GOVERNMENT WORK.

THEY ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR ELECTIONS.

THEY CAN BE HACKED.

THIS HAS BEEN PROVEN TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE PUBLIC READING THE PRESS AND THE COURT, THE SUPERVISING IN THIS CASE.

WE NEED TO DECERTIFY THE MACHINES AND MOVE TO THE PROCESS ALLOWED BY STATE LAW, HAND MARKED PAPER BALLOTS USING SCANNERS TO IMPROVE THE VOTING PROCESS FOR THE VOTER AND THE COUNTING PROCESS AT THE END, BUT NEVER TO SUBSTITUTE AND DO AWAY WITH THE VOTE THAT CAN BE READ AND COUNTED.

>> THANK YOU.

TOM BAXTER, IT IS YOUR TURN TO ASK A QUESTION.

>> I THOUGHT I SAW YOUR EARS PERK UP WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE BOARDS AND MEDICALLY RELATED BOARDS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE PROBLEM?

WHY DO SO MANY OF THESE BOARDS LIKE THE NURSES WANT TO LEAVE THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE?

IS IT A GOOD IDEA?

>> I WOULD THINK THAT IT'S A PROBLEM OF FRUSTRATION.

IT'S A SERVICE PROBLEM.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE, LIKE MANY OF GEORGIA'S DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, THEY HAD TO CUT BACK DURING THE GREAT RECESSION.

THEY CUT THE FUNDING.

THAT FUNDING HAS NOT KEPT UP WITH GROWTH.

I BELIEVE IT'S PROBABLY MORE THAN ANYTHING, THERE'S A REAL FUNDING ISSUE IN THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.

THAT FUNDING ISSUE IS PLAYING OUT IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

THAT INCLUDES -- WE'RE NOT PROVIDING ADEQUATE SERVICE TO THESE BOARDS.

THERE'S A STATISTIC THAT IS TAKING UPWARDS OF 400 AND SOME DAYS FOR THINGS TO GET RESOLVED AT THE NURSING BOARD.

THAT'S INDICATIVE.

WHAT WE NEED IS TO GET A FUNDING FORMULA THAT PROVIDES A SERVICE THAT WE NEED, THAT WOULD PROVIDE THE SERVICE TO NOT ONLY THESE BOARDS BUT TO ANYBODY APPLYING FOR A BUSINESS LICENSE OR PROFESSIONAL LICENSE.

IF WE MAKE GEORGIA THE BEST STATE TO DO BUSINESS IN THE COUNTRY, WE NEED TO HAVE SERVICES THAT LIVE UP TO THAT.

>> THANK YOU.

PART OF YOUR PLATFORM IS ABOUT REDUCING HUMAN TRAFFICKING AS PART OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.

HOW IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU THINK FALLS UNDER THE PURVIEW OF SECRETARY OF STATE.

>> I WAS STATING MY VALUE THAT I BELIEVE IF THERE'S PEOPLE THAT ARE USING OUR CORPORATIONS TO WORK AND HAVE ELICIT ACTIVITY GOING ON, THEN WE DON'T NEED TO BE CONDONING THAT IN GEORGIA.

WE REVOKE THEIR CHARTER.

>> THANK YOU.

VERONICA, YOUR TURN.

>> WE HAVE SEEN THAT A CYBER RESEARCHER WAS ABLE TO DOWNLOAD THE VOTER INFORMATION FOR SOME ALMOST 7 MILLION GEORGIA VOTERS, GOT TO SEE PASSWORDS FOR HOW ELECTION PEOPLE WOULD SIGN IN ALL THROUGH A CASUAL HACK.

I HAVE A TWO-PRONGED QUESTION.

HOW CONFIDENT ARE YOU THAT WHEN VOTERS GO TO THE POLLS THIS FALL THAT NO MATTER FOR WHOM THEY VOTE, THEIR VOTES WILL BE COUNTED?

HOW WOULD YOU AS SETTING OF STATE ENSURE GOING FORWARD THAT GEORGIA'S ELECTION SYSTEMS CAN'T BE COMPROMISED BY RUSSIAN HACKERS OR ANYBODY, INCLUDING THE ONES WE KNOW WHO HAVE TARGETED AT LEAST TWO?

>> I'M CONFIDENT THAT THE ELECTIONS THIS FALL WILL BE SAFE.

BUT TO YOUR LARGER ISSUE ABOUT CYBER SECURITY, THAT IS A MAJOR ISSUE.

IF YOU LOOK AT ONE OF THE LARGEST NATIONAL CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES, THEY WERE HACKED.

THIS PAST WEEK, FACEBOOK SAID THEY WERE HACKED.

I BELIEVE THE CONFIDENTIAL VOTER INFORMATION NEEDS TO BE SECURED.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TO DO IS ENCRYPT SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS.

I THINK YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER SHOULD BE SEPARATE IN ANOTHER DATABASE.

WHAT IS ACTUALLY IN THE DATABASE AVAILABLE TO MORE PEOPLE WOULD ACTUALLY BE YOUR UNIQUE IDENTIFIER, GEORGIA IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WHICH IS IF YOU OPEN UP AND LOOK AT YOUR VOTER I.D.

CARD, IT'S RIGHT THERE.

THAT WOULD BE PART OF IT.

WE SHOULD ENCRYPT THE NUMBERS, SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS HAVE BEEN ENCRYPTED, ONLY THE LAST FOUR SHOW.

THAT'S A CONCERN THAT I HAVE.

IT GETS DOWN TO SO MUCH.

THERE'S A TECHNOLOGY COMPONENT BUT TRAINING IS COMMUNICATING.

THAT'S WHAT GREAT CORPORATIONS DO.

AS A BUSINESSOWNER, THAT'S WHAT I WILL DO WORKING WITH OUR FOLKS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> A SIMILAR QUESTION.

DO YOU BELIEVE THE RUSSIANS OR ANY OTHER FOREIGN GOVERNMENT HAVE AN INTEREST IN INTERFERING IN THIS YEAR'S ELECTIONS IN GEORGIA?

WHAT DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE DONE TO GUARD AGAINST THAT IN THE FUTURE?

>> OF COURSE THEY HAVE AN INTEREST IN DOING THAT.

THAT IS THE POSITION OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION IN WASHINGTON.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO.

THEY'RE TRYING TO SCREW AROUND WITH ELECTIONS ANYWAY THEY CAN TO SOW DISSATISFACTION AND DISMAY IN OUR POLITICS.

OF COURSE, WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

IT'S UNACCEPTABLE FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN A PART OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR FOUR YEARS TO SAY I THINK WE OUGHT DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS AFTER THE NEXT ELECTION WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THEIR JOB TO MAKE SURE WE WERE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS SINCE 2016 WHEN IT BECAME APPARENT THAT OUTSIDERS WERE TRYING TO INTERFERE IN OUR ELECTIONS.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT THE ELECTION HAS BEEN STOLEN OR FIXED TO REALIZE IT'S BEING MESSED AROUND WITH.

YOU HAVE A REASON TO DOUBT THE RESULTS.

THAT'S ALL OUR ENEMIES NEED TO DO, WHETHER THEY ARE IN MOSCOW OR WHETHER IT'S A 400 POUND GUY ON HIS BED IN NEW JERSEY.

WE SHOULD HAVE A SYSTEM THAT FOLLOWS GEORGIA LAW AS IT'S WRITTEN RIGHT NOW.

WHEN THESE MACHINES HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE HACKABLE, YOU DECERTIFY THEM AND GO TO THE DEFAULT OPTION OF PAPER BALLOTS WITH OPTICAL SCANNERS.

>> THANK YOU.

SINCE YOU WERE REFERENCED IN THE ANSWER, WE WILL GIVE YOU TIME TO RESPOND.

>> I THINK I REALLY MADE MY POINT EARLIER.

WE NEED TO UPDATE THE VOTING MACHINES.

WHAT I TALKED ABOUT THE SYSTEM THAT LOOKS LIKE WHAT WE HAVE TODAY, BUT THE BALLOT WAS PRINTED OUT.

YOU RAN IT THROUGH AN OPTICAL SCANNER.

THAT'S THE SECURE TECHNOLOGY.

I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT WHAT OTHER STATES ARE USING AND PICK THE MOST CURRENT PROCESS FOR GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU.

ONE OF YOUR PEGS OF YOUR PLATFORM IS RANKED CHOICE VOTING.

DO YOU THINK THAT'S SOMETHING VOTERS HERE IN GEORGIA -- YOU THINK IT'S SOMETHING THEY SHOULD HAVE.

DO YOU THINK THAT'S A SYSTEM WE COULD IMPLEMENT HERE?

>> YES.

RANKED CHOICE VOTING IS A NO BRAINER FOR GEORGIA.

IT'S BECOMING POPULAR, IT HAS BEEN PASSED STATE WIDE IN MAINE, 18 CITIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES ARE USING IT.

THE STATE OF GEORGIA, WHAT IT WOULD DO IS INCREASE POLITICAL COMPETITION AND IT WOULD ALSO SAVE A TON OF TAX MONEY.

IN RANK CHOICE VOTING, THE VOTERS CHOOSE THEIR CANDIDATE BY PUTTING A ONE NEXT TO THEIR FAVORITE CANDIDATE, TWO NEXT TO THEIR NEXT FAVORITE AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.

BY DOING THAT, THEY HAVE PROVIDED ALL THE INFORMATION NECESSARY THAT WOULD BE USED IN A SEPARATE RUNOFF.

THAT'S GOING TO SAVE GEORGIA COUNTIES MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

IT'S GOING TO ALLOW VOTERS, WHICH THEY LOVE, TO BE ABLE TO CHOOSE THEIR MOST FAVORITE CANDIDATE WITHOUT ANY -- HAVING ANY STRATEGY ABOUT WHO MIGHT WIN OR WHO MIGHT NOT WIN.

THEY CAN VOTE THEIR CONSCIENCE.

RANK CHOICE VOTING, BRING THAT TO GEORGIA.

WE INCREASE POLITICAL COMPETITION.

IT SERVES OUR MILITARY.

IT'S A NO BRAINER SOLUTION FOR GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THIS COULD BE SORT OF AN OFFSHOOT OF RANKED CHOICE VOTING.

IF IT'S POSSIBLE, I WOULD LIKE TO GET ALL THREE CANDIDATES TO WEIGH IN.

SHOULD THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S RACE EVEN BE A PARTISAN RACE TO BEGIN WITH?

>> I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY QUESTION THAT THIS IS WHAT MOST FOLKS THINK OF AS A NON-PARTISAN OFFICE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT QUALIFIES ME FOR THIS JOB IS I HAVE THE MOST BIPARTISAN RECORD OF ANYBODY UP HERE RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE.

I FOUND A WAY TO WORK WITH FOLKS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLES.

THIS IS AN OFFICE THAT HAS A LOT OF ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES.

IT'S A CONSTITUENT SERVICES AGENCY FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

THAT'S ITS DAY IN AND DAY OUT JOB.

IT PRESIDES OVER ELECTIONS EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS, WHICH IS IMPORTANT TO ALL OF US, IN A NON-PARTISAN FASHION.

I THINK THE OFFICE OUGHT TO BE FILLED ON A NON-PARTISAN BASIS.

IT SHOULDN'T BE NOMINALLY WHERE A VACANCY CAN BE FILLED BY AN APPOINTEE.

THE ONLY PERSON THAT GETS APPOINTED TO THE OFFICE IS SOMEONE ELECTED BY THE VOTERS.

THAT'S THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE SURE IT WILL BE NON-PARTISAN, NOT ONLY IN -- WHEN THE PERSON IS CHOSEN BUT THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS.

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

THERE'S NO DOUBT WHEN YOU HAVE SOMEONE OFFICIAING AN ELECTION, HAVING A NON-PARTISAN, AN INDEPENDENT, SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T HAVE A DOG IN THE FIGHT IS MOST IMPORTANT.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IT TAKES AWAY FROM OUR ELECTION SYSTEM IS YOU SEE THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS BECOME PARTISAN SINCE THE BUSH VERSUS GORE IN 2000.

THAT'S UNFORTUNATE.

I AM AN INDEPENDENT.

I'M A LIBERTARIAN.

I'M RADICALLY INDEPENDENT OF THE DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN PARTY.

I DON'T OWE THEIR LEADERSHIP ANYTHING.

THEIR LOBBYISTS DON'T HAVE ANY STRINGS ON ME AT ALL.

I AM NOT USING THIS OFFICE AS A STEPPING STONE TO HIGHER OFFICE.

I AM COMMITTED TO FIXING THE BROKEN SYSTEM.

I'M BRINGING SKILLS TO DO THAT.

I REPRESENT ALL GEORGIANS, DOESN'T MATTER THEIR POLITICAL AFFILIATION.

DOESN'T MATTER WHAT THEY BELIEVE.

I REPRESENT ALL GEORGIIANS IN THE AMERICAN WAY THAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE REPRESENTATIONAL GOVERNMENT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I THINK YOUR QUESTION CUTS BOTH WAYS.

I WOULD SAY ON BALANCE, I THINK I WOULD KEEP IT AS IT IS.

THE REASON IS, IF YOU HAVE A GOVERNOR, WHETHER IT'S A DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN, THEY ARE GOING TO PICK A SECRETARY OF STATE.

IF IT'S A SELECTED POSITION.

IT'S A NON-PARTISAN POSITION.

THEY WILL PICK SOMEONE FROM THEIR OWN PARTY.

AS SOON AS THEY DO THAT, IT BECOMES A PARTISAN POSITION.

BY HAVING SECRETARY OF STATE ELECTED, IT MEANS YOU ARE HOLDING YOUR SECRETARY OF STATE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE VOTERS.

THE MORE YOU HOLD ELECTED PUBLIC SERVANTS ACCOUNTABLE TO THE VOTERS, IT'S BETTER FOR OUR REPRESENTIC.

POLITICIANS NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHATEVER THEY DO.

I THINK THAT'S WHY I WOULD KEEP THE SYSTEM AS IT IS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU.

THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR QUESTIONS.

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

BRAD RAFFENSPERGER, YOU GET THE FIRST CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> THERE ARE MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MYSELF AND MY OPPONENTS.

I'M RUNNING FOR SECRETARY OF STATE TO MAKE SURE ONLY AMERICANS VOTE IN OUR ELECTIONS, MAKE SURE GEORGIA IS A GREAT PLACE TO FIND A JOB AND BUILD A BUSINESS.

I WILL SAFEGUARD INTEGRITY BY MAKING SURE WE KEEP VOTER I.D.

AND UPDATE OUR VOTER ROLES.

WE KNOW FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF IDENTITY THEFT.

BY KEEPING THE ROLES UPDATED, WE CAN SAFEGUARD AND KEEP OUR ELECTIONS CLEAN SO WE KNOW THE PERSON THAT WON ACTUALLY DID WIN.

I'M THE ONLY BUSINESSOWNER IN THIS RACE THAT HAS RUN THE OFFICE THE SIZE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.

I'M READY TO FIX THE THINGS THAT IMMEDIATE TO FIX AND MAKE THE CHANGES THAT NEED TO BE CHANGED.

I'M RUNNING TO MAKE SURE ONLY AMERICANS VOTE IN OUR ELECTIONS AND MAKE SURE GEORGIA IS A GREAT PLACE TO FIND A JOB AND BUILD A BUSINESS.

THANK YOU.

>> I AM A CITIZEN, NOT A CAREER POLITICIAN.

I'M NOT USING THIS OFFICE AS A STEPPING STONE TO HIGHER OFFICE.

I WANT THIS JOB AND NOT ONLY THAT I WANT TO FIX GEORGIA'S BROKEN ELECTION SYSTEM.

I AM SICK AND TIRED OF THE PARTISAN PARTISANSHIP.

NEITHER PARTY SEEMS CAPABLE OR WILLING TO ADDRESS THE NATION'S MOST PRESSING PROBLEMS.

BY CONTRAST, THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF GEORGIA IS REACHING OUT TO INDEPENDENT MINDED VOTERS AND WE ARE PURSUING COMPETITIVE, FAIR AND SECURE ELECTIONS.

AS AN ELECTION REFORM CANDIDATE, I'M OFFERING GEORGIANS A CHANCE FOR CHANGE.

VOTE FOR ME AND YOU WILL GET THE ATTENTION OF THAT GENERAL ASSEMBLY, PUT ME IN OFFICE AND YOU WILL GET THE ATTENTION OF THE ENTIRE NATION.

ON NOVEMBER 6, VOTE SMYTHE DUVAL, GEORGIA SECRETARY OF STATE.

>> THANK YOU.

I'M RUNNING FOR SECRETARY OF STATE IN ORDER TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY, TO CREATE NEW JOBS.

I'M ALSO RUNNING TO FIX WHAT'S BROKE WITH OUR ELECTION SYSTEM SO THAT IT'S EASY FOR CITIZENS TO VOTE.

I'M RUNNING TO BRING BALANCE BACK INTO THE STATE GOVERNMENT.

I FOUND THAT EVERYWHERE I HAVE GONE IN THE STATE, TWO THINGS THAT COME UP MORE OFTEN THAN ANYTHING ELSE ARE THE NEED FOR ACCOUNTABILITY FROM OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, FOLKS ALL OVER THE STATE ARE TIRED OF FOLKS SAYING ONE THING AND DOING ANOTHER.

TIRED FOLKS NOT PAYING TAXES UNTIL THEY ARE FORCED TO DO IT.

EVEN WHEN THEY CAN AFFORD TO DO IT.

THEY WANT ACCOUNTABILITY.

THEY ALSO WANT SOMEONE WHO IS CAPABLE OF WORKING WITH FOLKS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

I HAVE A DEMONSTRATED ABILITY TO DO THAT.

IF YOU WANT A SECRETARY OF STATE WHO WILL DO THE JOB THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE AND CARES ABOUT THE JOB, WHO BRINGS ACCOUNTABILITY BACK TO THE OFFICE, I ASK FOR YOUR VOTE.

I WOULD BE PROUD TO HAVE YOUR SUPPORT.

>> THANK YOU.

THAT CONCLUDES OUR DEBATE.

WE'D LIKE TO REMIND VOTERS THAT ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6th, AND EARLY VOTING BEGINS OCTOBER 15th.

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

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB AND GEORGIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING FOR ARRANGING TODAY'S DEBATE.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE FULL SCHEDULE OF GENERAL ELECTION DEBATES, PLEASE VISIT ATLANTAPRESSCLUB.ORG.

THIS DEBATE WILL BE ARCHIVED THERE AND ON GEORGIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S WEBSITE, GPB.ORG.

I'M CLAIRE SIMMS.

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