Town hall brings candidates, voters together before election day

Secretary of State candidates Terry Goddard and Michele Reagan
October 14, 2014

Next month's election is critical for registered Arizona voters, as they will be deciding some of the state's top-elected officials, including the next Secretary of State.

Helping lead voters to an informed decision, ASU's College of Public Programs will host a town hall-style event, Oct. 16, in downtown Phoenix, featuring candidates Terry Goddard and Sen. Michele Reagan, who are running for Arizona Secretary of State.

“The Secretary of State has the key responsibility of making the machinery of democracy work for Arizonans," said Jonathan Koppell, dean of the college. "It is hard to think of something more fundamental. That’s why it’s critical for voters to have the opportunity to hear from candidates in a format that encourages thoughtful discussion.”

Reagan, a state senator and Republican, and Goddard, former attorney general and a Democrat, will take questions from moderators Koppel and Ginger Lamb, publisher of the Arizona Capitol Times, as well as ASU students. Frank Smith, undergraduate student government president for ASU's Downtown Phoenix campus, will serve as host.

The event, which is scheduled to take place from 6 to 6:30 p.m., will be streamed live on the Internet so voters statewide can watch.

“We are thrilled to host this town hall with two impressive, serious candidates,” said Koppell. “We hope ASU students and Arizona voters will gain valuable information on where they stand on the issues.”

The Secretary of State oversees ballot measures and elections for state offices, registers corporate trademarks and partnerships, files bills passed by the Arizona Legislature and publishes administrative rules and regulations created by state agencies.

The Secretary of State also serves as acting governor when the state’s top-elected official is out of the state and is the first in line to succeed the governor upon the resignation, death, disability or removal of the governor from office.

Half of the last eight Secretaries of State ascended to the governor’s office.

Co-sponsored by the Arizona Capitol Times, the town hall will take place at AE England Building, 424 N. Central Avenue in Phoenix. To watch it live or to see a recording of the event, visit: https://publicservice.asu.edu/civic-action-night.