"DIRECT CONNECTION" IS MADE BY MPT TO SERVE ALL OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

LIVE FROM MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, THIS IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" WITH JEFF SALKIN.

>> Jeff: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO A SPECIAL EDITION OF "DIRECT CONNECTION."

TONIGHT THE INFORMATION YOU NEED ABOUT THE TOP ISSUES FACING MARYLAND VOTERS.

COMING UP TONIGHT, WE'LL HEAR CLOSING ARGUMENTS FROM THE COP TOP CANDIDATES FOR STATEWIDE OFFICE, AND BOTH SCIEDZ ON BIG BALLOT QUESTIONS, INCLUDING MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION.

BUT FIRST TONIGHT WITH EARLY VOTING AND MAIL-IN VOTING THERE ARE MORE CHOICES AND MAYBE MORE CHANCES FOR CONFUSION.

WE FOLK SPOKE WITH NIKKI CHARLSON, DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR OF THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

>> >> Nikki Charlson: ITS I THINK IT'S MOSTLY VOTERS GOING TO THE RIGHT PLACE.

WE WANT THEM TO GO TO THE POLLING PLACE WHERE THEY ARE ASSIGNED SO THEY CAN GET THE RIGHT BALLOT.

WANT JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE VOTERS GET TO THE POLLING PLACE ASSIGNED TO THEIR RESIDENTS.

>> Jeff: NOW, WHAT HAPPENS -- WE KNOW HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE REQUESTED ABSENTEE BALLOTS, AND A LOT OF THEM HAVEN'T BEEN RETURNED YET.

SO SOMEBODIES HAS AND IT MAYBE THEY FILLED ON IT OR THEY CHANGED THEIR MIND AND THEIR THINKING ABOUT SHOWING UP AT A POLLING PLACE.

WHAT DO THEY DO?

>> Nikki Charlson: FIRST, IF THEY HAVE THE MAIL-IN BALLOT AND THEY CAN VEET AND RETURN THAT.

THAT'S WHAT WE ENCOURAGE THEM TO DO.

THEY CAN PUT IT IN THE MAIL.

IT HAS TO BE POSTMARKED BEFORE 8:00 PL ON ELECTION DIRE THEY CAN TAKE IT TO ONE OF THE BALLOT BOXES IN THEIR UKRAINE WHERE THEY LIVE AND DROP IT OFF.

BUT IF THEY MADE A MISTAKE AND THEY WANT TO VOTE IN PERSON, THEY CAN GO TO AGAIN THE POLLING PLACE ASSIGNED TO THEIR RESIDENCE AND THEY'LL HAVE TO VOTE A PROVISIONAL BALLOT, AND WE DO THAT, THAT'S A PROCESS TO MAKE SURE A THAT WE ONLY COUNT ONE BALLOT FOR EACH VOTER, AND SO THEY'LL FILL OUT THE PROVISIONAL BALLOT, THEY'LL PUT IT IN AN ENVELOPE AND GOIFT AN ELECTION JUDGE AND PUT IT IN A SEALED BAG WHICH WILL BE COUNTED AS LONG AS THEY DO NOT ALSO RAUNER THEIR MAIL-IN BALLOT.

>> Jeff: IF THEY RETURN THE MAIL-IN BALLOT BY MAIL AND IT NEEDS A POSTMARK BY TOMORROW, THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN PUT IT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD MAILBOX AT 8:00 AT NIGHT BECAUSE THAT DOESN'T GET PICKED UP UNTIL WEDNESDAY, RIGHT?

>> Nikki Charlson: THAT'S RIGHT.

SO POSTMARKED BY 8:00 P.M. IS REALLY IMPORTANT, AND YOU'RE RIGHT BE PUTTING IT IN IT MAILBOX AFTER THAT DAY AS PICKUP IS NOT GOING TO GET IT POSTMARKED.

SO IF YOU'RE GOING TO PUT IN IT MAIL MAKE SURE IT'S GOING TO BE PICKED UP BEFORE YOU PUT THE BALLOT IN OR TAKE IT TO OI A POST OFFICE AND DISHEM TO POSTMARK IT OR AGAIN, TAKE IT TO A PATEL BOX OR ANY VOTING LOCATION AND THE ELECTIONS ELECTIONS OFFICIALS WITH TAKE IT.

>> Jeff: ARE THE BALLOT COLLECTION BOXES STILL THERE?

AND WHERE THOSE CLOSED UP?

>> Nikki Charlson: THEY ARE STILL THERE.

WE HAVE ALMOST 300 OF THEM AROUND THE STATE AND THEY ARE OPEN 24/7 UNTIL 8:00 P.M.

TOMORROW NIGHT SO THERE WILL BE SOMEONE THERE RIGHT AT 8:00 TO CLOSE AND LOCK THEM UP, SO IF YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE IF YOU'RE USING THEM THAT YOU YOU ARE THERE BY 8:00.

>> Jeff: YOU KNOW, NATIONALLY A LOT OF DISTRUST OF THE VOTING PROCESS HAS BEEN STIRRED UP OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WHAT DO YOU WOULD YOU SAY TO A VOTER IN MARYLAND WHO IS CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR VOTE BEING COUNTED ACCURATELY?

>> Nikki Charlson: SO MARYLAND ELECTION OFFICIALS WORK VERY HARD ALL THE TIME 24/7, 365 DAYS A YEAR TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR PROCESS IS ACCURATE AND SECURE AND IT IS ONE THAT PEOPLE CAN BE CONFIDENT IN, AND, FOR EXAMPLE, ON THE VOTING SEM WE PERFORM CHECKS BEFORE AN ELECTION TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY UNIT IS COUNTING PROPERLY.

WE SEAL THOSE UNITS.

WE SECURELY TRANSPORT THEM AND STORE THEM UNTIL ELECTION DAY.

THEN WE DO THE REVERSE.

WE SECURELY STORE THEM AND BRING HEM BACK ON THE OFFICES.

THEN AFTER EACH ELECTION WE PERFORM A COMPLETE AUDIT TO ALL OF THE BALLOTS THAT WERE PASSED IN THIS ELECTION.

WE SEND THE IMAGES OFF THE A THIRD PARTY AND HAVE THEM RETABULATE THEM SO WE CAN COMPARE THEM AGAINST THE RESULTS WE HAVE FROM OUR VOTING SYSTEM.

WE POST ALL OF THOSE REPORTS ON OUR WEBSITE.

SO IN TERMS OF THE ACCURACY OF THE VOTE COUNT, WE CAN BE VERY CONFIDENT THROUGH THESE AUDIT THAT IS WE DO THAT THE COUNT REFLECTS THE BALLOTS THAT WERE COUNTED ON ELECTION DAY IN EARLY VOTING AND BY MAIL.

>> Jeff: TALK A LITTLE, IF YOU WOULD, BUT COUNTING PROCESS.

SO WE BASICALLY HAVE THREE MAJOR GROUPS OF BALLOTS.

THE EARLY VOTE IS DONE, AND I THINK YOU WILL RELEASE THAT WHEN THE POLLS CLOSE TOMORROW NIGHT, NOT NECESSARILY A A REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE OF THE TOTAL GROUP OF VOTERS.

AND THEN THERE'S THE ABSENTEE BALLOTS, AND THE COUNTIES ARE GOING TO HANDLE THAT DIFFERENTLY, WHICH YOU CAN TELL US ABOUT.

THEN THERE'S THE OLD-FASHIONED ELECTION DAY BALLOT AND THEY'LL BE COUNTED THROUGH THE EVEN TOMORROW NIGHT.

CORRECT?

>> Nikki Charlson: THAT'S RIGHT.

SO EARLY VEEGHT RESULTS, RELEASED SHORTLY AFTER THE POLLS CLOSE, AND ANY VOTERS IN LINE ARE INSIDE THE VOTING ROOM.

WE WILL ALSO RELEASE AT THE SAME TIME RESULTS FROM MALE ILL BALLOTS THAT WERE COUNTED BEFORE ELECTION DAY.

WE HAD 11 OF OUR COUNTIES COUNT SOME BALLOTS, MAIL-IN BALLOTS BEFORE ELECTION DAY, AND IN THOSE 11 COUNTIES WE WILL RELEASE THE RESULTS FROM THOSE BALLOTS.

AND THEN THROUGHOUT THE EVENING WE'LL BE RELEASING ELECTION DAY RESULTS AS THEY COME IN FROM THE LOCAL JURISDICTIONS.

THEN STARTING ON THURSDAY AFTER ELECTION DAY, THERE WILL BE MORE COUNTING OF MAIL-IN BALLOTS AND THAT WILL CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT TEN DAYS, AND WE'LL RELEASE THOSE RESULTS EACH DAY THEY'RE COUNTED.

>> Jeff: FOR THE COUNTIES THAT COUNTED EARLY, WERE THERE ANY PRECAUTIONS TO MAKE SURE THOSE NUMBERS DIDN'T LEAK?

BECAUSE YOU WOULD HAVE HAD, I THINK, REPRESENTATIVES, JUDGES FROM MAJOR PARTIES SITTING THERE WHO -- THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD POLITICAL POLL IF YOU KNOW HOW THE MAIL-IN VOTE IS GOING.

>> Nikki Charlson: SO EVERYBODY WHO IS PARTICIPATING OR OBSERVING THAT PROCESS HAS TO SIGN A CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT PRECLUDING THEM FROM DISCLOSING THOSE RESULTS, AND WE HAVE SEEN EVERYBODY HONOR THOSE AGREEMENTS, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO STARTING TO RELEASE RESULTS TOMORROW NIGHT.

>> Jeff: IF ELECTION DAY TENSIONS ARE HIGH, IF PEOPLE SEE CRAZY RUMORS FLYING AROUND ON SOCIAL MEDIA, WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO GET ACCURATE INFORMATION?

>> Nikki Charlson: FIRST THING IS CALL YOUR LOCAL ELECTION OFFICIAL, YOUR STATE OR YOUR LOCAL.

LET US BE YOUR TRUSTED LEAK OFFICIALS AND JURY TRUST SOURCE OF INFORMATION.

PLEASE DON'T JUST RELY ON THINGS THAT YOU READ ON THE INTERNET, ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR HERE HEAR ON THE RADIO.

CHECK IT OUT EITHER ON OUR WEBSITE OR GIVE US A CALL, WE'RE READY TO HELP, AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE PEOPLE REACHING OUT TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE ELECTION COMMUNITY AND LEARN ABOUT THE FACTS FROM THEIR ELECTION OFFICIALS.

>> Jeff: HOW DID THE -- I KNOW A BUNCH OF COUNTIES WERE CONCERNED ABOUT HAVING ENOUGH JUDGES ON HAND LEAK DAY.

HOW -- ELECTION DAY.

HOW DID THE VARIOUS COUNTIES DO IN TERMS OF GETTING STAFFED UP IN TIME FOR THIS?

>> Nikki Charlson: SO ALL OF THE COUNTIES HAVE ENOUGH ELECTION JUDGES ON OPEN AND RUN ELECTION DAY TOMORROW.

THERE MIGHT BE SOME LOCATIONS THAT ARE SHORTY-STAFFED THAN THEY HAD WISHED, AND SO WE JUST ASK VOTERS TO BE PATIENT.

LIKE EVERYWHERE ELSE IN THE ECONOMY THESE DAYS, IT'S HARD TO FIND EMPLOYEES, AND LOCAL ELECTION OFFICIALS HAVE ONE INTO THE SAME CHALLENGES THIS ELECTION.

SO EVERY LOCATION, OPEN.

IN CASE THERE MIGHT BE A JUDGE WHO IS SERVING TWO JOBS OR THE LINE IS A LITTLE BIT LONGER BECAUSE THEY HAVE ONE LAST CHECK-IN STATION, BUT THEY'LL ALL BE OPEN AND READY FOR VOTERS, AND PLEASE JUST BE PATIENT.

>> Jeff: QUICK REMINDER.

IF SOMEBODY HAS NOT REGISTERED, THEY STILL DECIDE TOMORROW THEY WANT TO VOTE.

THEY CAN SHOW UP AT THE CORRECT NEIGHBORHOOD POLLING PLACE.

>> Nikki Charlson: THAT'S RIGHT.

WE DO OFFER SAME-DAY REGISTRATION ON ELECTION DAY SO AS YOU SAID THEYS JUST NEED TO GO TO POLLING PLACE ASSIGN IS ON TO WHERE THEY LIVE, BRING PROOF OF RESIDENCY AND THEY'LL GET TO REGISTER AND VOTE AT THE SAME TIME.

>> Jeff: OUR CHAIRCHTION TO MS. CHARLSON.

VOTERS STAYED WIDE WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO WEIGH IN ON LEAGUIZING MARIJUANA ON CANNABIS.

NANCY YAMADA SPOKE TO ADVOCATES ON BOTH SIDES.

>>> OF.

>> I WILL VOTE YES.

>> I DON'T BELIEVE IN IT.

I THINK THEY SHOULD STILL KEEP IT CRIMINALIZED.

>> I FEEL LIKE WE'RE AT A POINT IN THE COUNTRY WHERE PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EMBARK AND ENGAGE ON WHATEVER ACT OFS.

>> IT'S STILL AN ILLEGAL DRUG.

IT CONNECTS TO OTHER DRUGS.

AND I STILL BELIEVE THAT IF YOU GET HOOKED ON MARIJUANA, IT COULD LEAD TO OTHER BIGGER ISSUES WITH DRUGS.

>> Nancy: MARYLAND VOTERS WILL SOON GET THEIR CHANCE TO WEIGH IN ON REFERENDUM QUESTION 4, A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WILL LEGALIZED CANNABIS USE BY ADULTS 21 AND OLDER BEGINNING IN JULY OF NEXT YEAR.

>> THIS WILL CREATE ACCESS AND THIS WILL CORRECT WRONGS IN MARYLAND.

>> Nancy: FORMER BALTIMORE RAVES LEFT TACKLEEAU NEEN GENE MONROE IS THE CAMPAIGN CHAIRMAN FOR JE ON 4.

WE SAYSnd YO LEGALIZE RECREATIONAL CANNABIS, THE BALLOT MEASURE WILL ALSO ALLOW THOSE WHO ARE SERVING PRISON SENTENCES FOR MARIJUANA POSSESSION TO PETITION FOR RELEASE AND THOSE WOULD PRIOR CONVICTIONS CAN PETITION FROM AN END PUDGEMENT OF THEIR CRIMINAL RECORD.

>> THE ON DRUGS HAS PULLED FAMILIES APART.

IT'S PUT PEOPLE IN POSITION WITH RECORDS THAT PREVENT THEM FROM GECHT PROPER HOUSING, ACCESS TO JOBS AND EDUCATION.

>> Nancy: SHOULD QUESTION 4 PASS, LAWMAKERS STILL HAVE TO PASS LEGISLATION ESTABLISHING A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK GOVERNING THE NEW MARKETPLACE.

PROPONENTS SAY IT WILL BE A HUGE BOON TO THE STATE'S QUESTION ECONOMY AN ESTIMATED HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS SOON AFTER THE MARKET LAUNCH.

>> NEW LICENSED OPERATORS ON THE CANNABIS FRONT, NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL MARYLAND ANCILLARY BUSINESSES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NEW INDUSTRY UPON LEGALIZING.

ALSO, JOB CREATION.

>> Nancy: BUT ON THE OTHER SIDE -- >> I'VE SEEN IT BE ADDICTIVE.

I KNOW THAT IT'S ADDICTIVE.

EYE I'VE WORKED WITH FAMILIES FOR 20 YEARS THE IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FEED.

>> Nancy: SHIED HEIDI RAHSHON WITH THE PARENT ACTION NETWORK IS WORKING TO SMART APPROACHES TO MARIJUANA, A NON-PROFIT DEDICATION CATED TO EDUCATING ABOUT THE DANGERS OF LEGALIZING AND COMMERCIALIZING MARIJUANA.

>> I LEARNED THAT THE PRODUCTS ARE NOT PLANTS THAT THEY'RE USING.

THEY'RE REALLY HIGHLY CONCENTRATED THINGS.

I THOUGHT THEY WERE A JOINT FROM THE '70s OR '80, AND THE POTENCE IS JUST NOT SAME.

>> Nancy: SHE WORRIES MORE ACCESS TO MARIJUANA WILL LEAD TO TO MORE KIDS GETTING HOOKED.

>> ANY MINOR WHO USES SUBSTANCES BEFORE THE AGE OF 21 IS SIX TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DEVELOP AN ADDICTION.

>> Nancy: AND THEIR PROPONENTS HAVE SAID ANY NEW MARKET COULD BE CRAFTED WITH AN EMPHASIS ON SOCIAL EQUITY AND DIVERSITY.

>> THAT'S ACTUALLY NOT TRUE.

NEW JERSEY JUST ANNOUNCED THEY HAVE ZERO LICENSES THAT ARE OWN BY MINORITY AND PEOPLE OF COLOR WHEN THEY HAD IN IT THEIR REGULATION THAT THEY HAD TO HAVE A CERTAIN AMOUNT.

>> Nancy: AND WHILE RAHSHON BELIEFS THE MARIJUANA INDUSTRY IS TARGETING AND ULTIMATELY HURTING COMMUNITIES COLOR, OTHERS SEE LEGAL SAWTION A WAY TO REDUCE READY AND ALLOW POLICE TO DEVOTE MORE RESOURCES TO VIOLENT CRIME.

>> Jeff: VOTERS IN BALTIMORE CITY WILL CONSIDER A QUESTION ON TERM LIMBS.

THE ROB LIST COLIN IS SUPPORTING.

LAW PROFESSOR GARY GIBSON IS STRONGLY OPPOSED.

>> IT IS PLAIN DANGEROUS TO HAVE TERM LIMITS AND CERTAINLY INADVISABLE FOR THE COMPTROLLER, FOR THE LEGISLATIVE BODY, BUT LET'S JUST TALK EVEN ABOUT MAYOR.

NOW, THAT IS SOMEWHAT DEBATABLE.

I'M 80 YEARS OLD BUT I WAS BORN IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR.

TO SHOW YOU THAT THIS MEASURE IS NOT NEEDED, WE HAVE HAD ONLY THREE MAYORS SINCE THE SECOND WORLD WAR WHO SERVED MORE THAN TWO TERMS.

TOMMY D'ALESANDRO THE FATHER FATHER AND SONLD SHAFFER, BOTH OF THOSE -- DONALD SHAFFER, BOTH OF THOSE WHO SERVED FOUR TERMS AND EXURT SMOKE WHO SERVED THREE TERMS.

WITHOUT A DOUBT INTO MY MIND THOSE HAD THE MOST EFFECT OF MAYORS OF MY LIFETIME.

>> THE NOTION THAT PROCEEDS OF GIBSON HAS MENTIONED ABOUT RESERVING TERM LIMITS FOR EXECUTIVES, WELL, THAT UTTERLY IGNORES THE REALITY WE HAVE RIGHT HERE IN MARYLAND AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

THERE ARE ALREADY TERM LIMITS IN PLACE IN MARYLAND AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AT THE COUNTY COUNCIL LEVEL IN HOWARD COUNTY AND ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY AND PRINCE CROARNLINGS COUNTY, IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, AND AT THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL FINE NINE OF THE TEN LARGEST CITIES INY, IN HAVE TERM LIMITS FOR ALL OF THEE OFFICES.

TERM LIMITS PROVEN TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

THEY'RE GROWING IN POPULARITY AT THE LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT LEVEL AROUND THE COUNTRY.

>> Jeff: AGAIN, THAT QUESTION IS ONLY BEFORE THE VOTERS IN BALTIMORE CITY.

THE TOP OF THE BALLOT FOR VOTERS STATEWIDE, OF COURSE, IS THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR.

THE TWO LEADING CANDIDATES HELD THEIR ONLY DEBATE HERE AT MPT.

HERE ARE THE CLOSING ARGUMENT FROM REPUBLICAN DAN COX AND DEMOCRAT WES MOORE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WELL, IT IS AN HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO BE YOUR NEXT GOVERNOR IF I EARN YOUR VOTE, AND I'M HERE TO EARN YOUR VOTE.

I'M GOING TO ONCE AGAIN MAKE MARYLAND SAFE.

WHY?

BECAUSE WE ARE DEALING WITH SOME OF THE WORST ASPECTS OF CRIME IN NOT ONLY THE NATION BUT IN THE WORLD.

MY OPPONENT WANTS TO DEFUND THE POLICE.

WE WANTS TO, QUOTE, INDICT THE SYSTEM.

I WILL STAND AGAINST THAT FOR YOU.

I WILL BE THE ONLY BALANCE POSSIBLE BECAUSE ONE PARTY RULE IS NOT THE WAY, FUTURE OF MARYLAND.

WE HAVE TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SAFETY, FOR AFFORDABLE BUILT OF HOUSING.

EL LOWER PROPERTY TAX EVALUATION SO WE CAN CUT THOSE RENTS AND TAXATION.

I WILL MAKE SURE WE HAVE PREEMED WHERE YOU CHOOSE YOUR CRK HEALTH CARE WITH YOUR DOCTOR.

AND EDUCATION MUST BE WORLD CLASS.

WE'RE GOING END THE INDOCTRINATION AND APPLICABLIZATION OF OUR CLASSROOMS, MAKE SURE TEACHERS ARE EMPOWERED AND PARENTS ARE BACK IN CHARGE.

I AM HUMBLY ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

YOU CAN GO TO COXFORFREEDOM.COM AND SIGN P FOR MORE.

>> MR. MOORE.

>> THANK YOU.

WE HAVE SPENT THE LAST HOUR HEARING ABOUT NOW MY OPPONENT IS DANGEROUS AND DEVICETIVE USE WOULD RESTRICT ABORTION ACCESS AND HIS ECONOMIC PLANS WOULD MOVE MARYLAND BACKWARDS, SO YOU CAN SEE WE HAVE VERY DIFFERENT VIEWS ON POLICIES.

BUT WE ALSO HAVE VERY DIFFERENT VALUES.

MY OPPONENT LIKES TO THROW AROUND THE WORLD "FREEDOM," BUT FREEDOM IS NOT AN EMPTY WORD TO ME.

MY LIFE COULD HAVE GONE A VERY DIFFERENT WAY AFTER MY DAD DIED.

I COULD HAVE BEEN LEFT BEHIND.

BUT I'M RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR BECAUSE WE CAN DO BETTER.

AS A STATE WE CAN GET THESE DEADLY ILLEGAL GUNS OFF OF OUR STREET.

WE CAN BUILD AN ECONOMY THAT LIFTS EVERYONE UP.

WE CAN PROTECT ABORTION ACCESS.

I'VE SPENT MY ENTIRE CAREER BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO MAKE OUR COUNTRY, OUR STATE, AND OUR COMMUNITIES BETTER, AND THAT'S WHAT REALLY PATRIOTISM LOOKS LIKE.

AND I'D BE HONORED TO HAVE YOUR SUPPORT AS WE MOVE MARYLAND FORWARD IN THIS NEXT DECADE.

>> Jeff: THE GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE DREW WIDE COVERAGE AND WAS WATCHED BY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.

WHO WON?

THE TWO RUNNING MATES, OF COURSE, DISWREE ON THAT.

>> -- DISAGREE.

>> I THINK THE CONTRACTS COULDN'T BE STRONGER, BUT IF YOU ASK ME WHO WON DEBATE HAVE BEEN MY RUNNING MATE WES MOORE ANTWON THE DEBATE.

WES MOORE DEMONSTRATED A VISION FOR MARYLAND, AND UPLIFTING, BOLD AND INCLUSIVE FUTURE WHERE WE LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND.

YOU KNOW, WE SAW A LEADER WHO WANTS TO TAKE MARYLAND FORWARD WITH AN ECONOMY THAT WORKS FOR ALL, TO PROVIDE A WORLD CLASS PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR ALL ITS CHILDREN, AND HE WAS UNEQUIVOCAL ABOUT THAT WOMEN SHOULD HAVE A TON ME OVER THEIR OWN BODIES, AND WE WILL PROTECT ACCESS TO ABORTION.

>> WES MOORE'S OPENING AND CLOSING REMARKS ROFERRED REVOLVED AROUND ABORTION AS THE PRIME AND KEY, TO MARYLANDERS, SO FOR THOSE THAT BELIEVE THAT ABORTION IS THE KEY ISSUE, OBVIOUSLY WES MOORE WOULD PICK THE VOTE.

FOR ME ABORTION IS NOT THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE FOR MARYLANDERS BECAUSE I'M ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL PERSONALLY, I TALK TO PEOPLE, AND FOR EVERYBODY THERE IS KEY ISSUES THAT DAN COX TOUCHED UPON TO HIS ACRONYM SAFE, "S" SANDING FOR SAFETY,E ANDA STANDING FOR AFFORDABLE.

EVERYBODY ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT PRICES.

EVERYBODY ARE VERY HURT BY INFLATION.

THEN F STANDS ARE FOR FREEDOM.

DAN COX TOUCHED UPON MEDICAL FREMONT AGAINST MANDATE -- GOVERNMENT MANDATES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER MASKS OR VEECK.

AND I WOULD ADD THAT F, FREEDOM SHOULD STAND FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH AGAINST MEDIA SENSE ORSHIP.

AND THEN "E" STANDS FOR EDUCATION.

>> Jeff: IN MARYLAND'S REDRUN 1st CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, LONGTIME INCUMBENT INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN ANDY HARRIS FACES A WELL FUNDED CHALLENGER IN FORMER DELEGATE HEATHER MIZEUR.

CHARLES ROBINSON COVERED A DEBATE IN CECIL COUNTY.

>> AM I HEARING YOU CORRECTLY?

THAT YOU THINK WOMEN WOULD CARRY A BABY TO TERM AND DECIDE AT THE END TO ABORT IT BECAUSE IT WASN'T THE GENDER THAT THEY WANT?

WHAT KIND OF NUTS IS THAT?

YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHO WOMEN ARE, WHAT OUR EXPERIENCE IN LIFE IS, TO SAY THAT ANY WOMAN WOULD JUST ABORT A FETUS LATE TERM FOR ANY REASON OTHER THAN HER PREGNANCY HAS GONE TRAGICCLY WRONG IS AN ABSOLUTELY OFFENSIVE OUTRAGE TO EVERY WOMAN IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

>> THE LINDSEY GRAHAM BILL, THAT'S THE ONE I'M CO-SPONSORING.

IT'S NOT AN ABSOLUTE BAN ON ABORTION.

THAT'S JUST NOT TRUE.

IT'S JUST NOT TRUE, WHAT SHE SAYS.

IN MARYLAND THAT QUESTION MADE NO DIFFERENCE IN MARYLAND BECAUSE MOODY HAS MOOC THE MOST LIBERALLER WEEK HAVE A ABORTION WITHOUT PENALTY YOU WILL UNTIL THE DATE OF BIRTH INCLUDING FOR SECOND SELECTION.

THAT'S BOTTOM LINE.

THE THAT'S THE ONE THAT STANDS IN CONTRADISTINCTION TO THE GRAHAM BILL AND CROSS-FILED IN THE HOUSE WHICH ACTUALLY SETS A 15 WEEK LIMIT.

THE DEMOCRAT BILL IS PUBLICALLY FUNDED ABORTION FOR ANY REASON UP UNTIL THE MOMENT OF BIRTH, INCLUDING SEX SELECTION ABORTIONS.

I'M SORRY.

THAT'S THE EXTREME POSITION.

>> Charles: THE HERE IN THE 1st CONGRESS A DISTRICT, THERE WAS ONLY ONE DEBATE BETWEEN THE TOP TWO CONTENDERS, AND IT WAS HERE AT THE MILL MILBURN STONE THEATRE.

THE SHOW DOWN WAS TO INCLUDE THE REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT, THE DEMOCRAT AND LIBERTARIAN CHALLENGERS, BUT THE LATTER WAS A NO-SHOW.

ON TAP WERE A SERIES OF SIX QUESTIONS RANGING FROM INFLATION TO VOTING.

>> IF I'M ELECTED, I'M ELECTED AS A DEMOCRAT BUT I REPRESENT EVERYBODY.

>> ANDY IS A SOLID CONSERVATIVE AND YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WONDER HOW HE'S GOING TO VOTE ON CERTAIN ISSUES.

YOU CAN KIND OF DEPEND ON ANDY VOTING THE RIGHT WAY IF YOU'RE A CONSERVATIVE.

>> MOW SO MY CLOSING ARGUMENT, TAKE ALL THOSE FOUR ISSUES.

I'VE ABOUT AN A FIGHTER IN CONGRESS.

THE BIND-PELOSI ADMINISTRATION IS JUST NOT DOING WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE ON THESE ISSUES.

I'LL GO TO WASHINGTON AND FIGHT THEM.

>> I'M JUST TRYING TO PLUSH WHAT WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING THIS WHOLE RACE, SHOWING THERE'S A CLEAR RACE BETWEEN A CONGRESSMAN WHO DOESN'T SHOW P, YOU DOESN'T LISTEN, DOESN'T REPRESENT OUR VALUES, AND WHAT IT IS I'VE BEEN DOING THESE TWO YEARS TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE, FOCUS ON OUR ECONOMIC NEEDS.

>> Charles: IN CECIL COUNTY, I'M CLARLS ROBINSON.

>> Jeff: VOTERS STATEWIDE WILL CHOOSE A NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL.

NANCY YAMADA COVERED THAT CONTEST.

>> I BELIEVE THAT THE VIOLENCE THAT'S ON THE STREETS REALLY IS A RESULT OF AND SCR DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE VIOLENCE THAT'S HAPPENED TO THE CONSTITUTION 1 VIOLENCE AT THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.

>> Nancy: REPUBLICAN MICHAEL PER YOU AT A SAYS HIS DECISION TO RUN FOR TERNAL ATTORNEY WAS PROMPTED DIE THE GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC.

>> A HEALTH CRISES, AIR QUOTES THERE, A HEALTH CRISIS IS USED NOT AS AN BASIS FOR EXCUSE TO DENY MARYLANDERS TO THE RIGHT TO THEIR GOD HAD GIVEN AND CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS INCLUDING TO SPEECH, MOVE AROUND FREELY, RUN THEIR BUSINESSES WITHOUT INTERRUPTION.

>> Nancy: THE RETIRED MEMBER OF ANN HUNDRED DREL COUNTY CROWNS SAID HE WOULD DEFENDANT THE LIBTS OF MARYLAND RESIDENTS.

>> I WILL DEFEND LIFE.

I WILL DEFENDANT DEFEND THE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS.

I THINK ELECTION INTEG VISIT ABSOLUTELY IMPORTANT.

IF WE DON'T HAVE BORDERS AND A FAIR AND OPEN AND TRANSPARENT ELECTIONS, THEN AGAIN WE DON'T -- WE DON'T HAVE THE SOVEREIGN SOVEREIGNTY THAT WE NEED TO HAVE.

>> THE SIMPLEST ANSWER TO WHY I'M RUNG OR ATTORNEY GENERAL IS I JUST WANT TO MIKE A BIGGER IMPACT IN THE PROFESSION THAT I CHOSE LEARL A QUARTER EXPEAR, AND THAT'S PUBLIC SERVICE.

>> Nancy: FORMER GLOVER IS AND TREE TIME PRESIDENT ANTHONY BROWN SAID IF LIKE HOLE ICONS ON THE PROGRESS OF CURRENT AG BRIAN FROSH INCLUDING LABOR STANDARDS WITH IS I HAVE RIGHTS AND STEMMING VICINITY IMS COURTROOM.

>> WE'RE NO GOING TO INVESTIGATE, PROSECUTOR OUR WAY TO SAFER NEIGHBORHOODS IF WE ARE NOT REFORMING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE JUVENILE ADJUST SYSTEM.

MARYLAND INS RATES YOUNG BLACK MEN AT A HIGHER RATE 9 ANY STATE IN THE NATION, AND WE CONTINUE TO SEE CRIME ON THE RISE.

>> Nancy: WHILE CONGRESSMAN BROWN WANTS TO PROMOTE MORE POLICIES TO TAKE GUNS OFF THE STREETS -- >> THAT'S WHY I WAS IN ANNAPOLIS LAST SESSION, TESTIFYING IN SUPPORT OF THE BAN ON GHOST BEGINS.

WE NOW WILL HAVE TO RESPOND TO SUPREME COURT DECISION THAT ALTARS MARYLAND'S LIEU LOUISIANA OUT CONCEALED CARRY.

>> Nancy: PEROUTKA BELIEVES GOING AFTER GUNS ISN'T THE ANSWER.

>> WE HAVE CRIME COMING FROM AND EMANATING FROM AND BEING PROMOTED BY, WHEN WE HAVE A CASHLESS BAIL SITUATION AND PEOPLE ARE LET OUT OF JAIL AS SOON AS THEY'RE ARRESTED, THEN THEY NEED -- CORRUPT GOVERNMENT IS ACTUALLY PROMOTING CL BARRETT ON STREETS.

>>> >> Nancy: AS FOR THE PROARNL TROARNL WASTE ROLL IN PROTECTING THE VIDEO AND CRIME CHANGE.

>> I THINK WE ALWAYS HAVE A DESIRE TO STEWARD AND PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT BUT THAT QUESTION IS ASKED OF NEE SOMETIMES AND I JUST ASK BACK, WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE BECAUSE I HAVE NO IDEA.

I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CLIENT CHANGE IS OTHER THAN THESE LOOSE NEFF DEFINITIONS OF SOCIAL JUSTICE.

>> THERE'S AN ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME UNIT IN A THAT UNIT GOES AFTER THOSE WHO ILLEGALLY DISCHARGE POLLUTANTS IN THE AIR OR WATER, ILLEGAL DUMPING.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL I BELIEVE SHOULD HAVE HA WE CURRENTLY DID NOT HAVE THE HAVE IS THE AUTHORITY TO BRING INDEPENDENT ENVIRONMENTAL LAW -- ENVIRONMENTAL VIOLATION FORM CASES.

RIGHT NOW YOU WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT, WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

YOU WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT BUT I THINK THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHOULD BE ABLE TOO BRING THOSE INDEPENDENT ACTIONS.

>> Nancy: AND WHILE THE POLLS NIGHT BE ARRIVE FAVOR AB TO PEROUTKA HE WANTS VOTERS TO CONSIDER THIS.

>> HOW DOES 100 YEARS OF DEMOCRATIC ATTORNEYS GENERAL FOR YOU?

WITH THE CRIME AND THE CASS AND THE DISSENSION AND CORRUPTION ON THE STREETS HA WE SPEND TIME TALKING ABOUT, WE COULD PROBABLY EXTEND A COUPLE MORE HOURS TALKING ABOUT.

>> Nancy: I'M NANCY YAMADA.

>> Jeff: AND MARYLAND WILL HAVE A NEW COMPTROLLER AS WELL.

THERE ARE TWO CANDIDATES, DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE BROOK LIERMAN AND GOP NOMINEE BARRY GLASSMAN.

>> I'M A CIVIL RIGHTS AND DISABILITY RIGHTS ATTORNEY, AND FOR OVER A DECADE I'VE ALSO BEEN PRACTICING PROCUREMENT LAW NATIONALLY REPRESENTING BLIND-OWNED BUSINESSES AND I'M ALSO A STATE DELEGATE AND I'VE BEEN A LEADER IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY REPRESENTING PART OF BALTIMORE CITY INCLUDING ALL OF OUR DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOODS FOR EIGHT YEARS ACCORDING OIS LEADER ON THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE TO HELP BALANCE OUR $50 BILLION BUDGET.

I'D CHAIR THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON PENSIONS AND IT HELPS SECURE OUR PENSION FUND.

SO REALLY EXCITED TO JUMP IN WITH MY UNDERSTANDING AND KNOWLEDGE OF NOT ONLY WHAT THE COMPTROLLER CUSS BUT HOW HOWE TO GET THINGS DONE IN STATE GOVERNMENT AND BUILDINGS BARNTSZ SUPPORTS AND BIG CLOWTIONZ CLAUSE EVERY BILL I HAVE PASSED HAS HAD PARTICIPANTS SUPPORT.

SO I REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO BUILDINGS CLOIGHTSZ TO GET THING DONE FOR MARYLANDERS.

>> TRADITION A REPUBLICANS ARE LANK AT FOR CANDIDATES LIKE ME, I MEAN, I'VE SERVED IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR YOU 16 YEARS.

I'VE RUN A LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

WE HAVE REDUCED TAXES IN HARD OF COUNTY.

I HAVE A 20% REDUCTION FOR VETERANS AND SENIOR CITIZENS, AT THE SAME TIME BEING ABLE TO IF YOU WILL FUND OUR PENSION SYSTEM WHICH IS 100% FUNDED, OPEB OBLIGATIONS ARE FUNDED AT 100%.

THE STATE'S ONLY ABOUT 75 MERS SOURCE.

I THINK PS INDEPENDENCE, REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ARE LOOKING A THE OTHER COMPTROLLER TO BE NON-PARTISAN BUT SOMEBODY WITH EXPERIENCE.

WE HAVE 24 AAA BOND RATING HERE IN HARD OF AND A BALANCED BUDGETED EVER YEAR, AND WE'RE GOING TO END UP WITH ABOUT A $34 MILLION SURPLUS.

>> Jeff: OUR THANKS TO ALL OF THE CANDIDATES FOR GRANTING US SEX ABUSE PARTICIPATING IN OUR DEBATE.

IF YOU HAVEN'T VOTED, TOMORROW IS THE DAY.

IN-PERSON REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE, AND YOU CAN FOUND A POLLING PLACE BY VISITING ELECTIONS.MARYLAND DOVE.

THAT'S SITE WILL ALSO HAVE A LIVE COUNT AS THE RETURNS COME IN.

ALSO, REMEMBER TO JOIN MPT AND OPINIONS MEMBER'S TO BE NATIONAL ELECTION COVERAGE FROM THE PBS NEWSHOUR.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF "DIRECT CONNECTION."

WE'LL HAVE ANALYSIS OF THE MARYLAND RETURNS FRIDAY A ON "STATE CIRCLE."

NOW FOR UofL US AT MPT, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.