Iowa Secretary of State candidates Paul Pate and Ryan Peterman talk about election integrity and security, early voting, and more on this week's show. Watch: youtu.be/x7WyXtlmHz4?si=SjRG… or catch it on @IowaPBS tonight at 7:30.

Thank you for following along with this update of two programs we recorded today. Keep an eye on IowaPBS.org for video versions soon of these programs recorded today.

Budget Cournoyer: As former Ed Budget chair, I understand the process. What are needs and how to optimize the office. Then work with existing system. Wettach: The office has been sounding the alarm it is underfunded. We need to defend the office.

Wettach: What's point of the office if not allowed to audit? If you give the job to political management and not in the office, then that's not really an audit.

State agencies to hire private firms Cournoyer: We are limited in the capacity in the office. They would need to be qualified and knowledgeable in government agencies. Eyes then on them.

3rd party audits of ESA Cournoyer: It is a program with tax payer dollars - either state or 3rd party need to be done. Office can't be political. Independent audit to look at facts.

School audits of Ed Savings Accounts Wettach: Should have full transparency on where tax payer dollars are going. Same for both public and private is public dollars are used. Folks deserve to know where their money is going. This program is law, but needs to done the right way.

Audit requests by local agencies Wettach: The office has been hemmed in - lack of resources and diminished powers. We need to have the teeth to go after issues in (school districts, cities) as needed.

Cournoyer: Law can still allow the Auditor to make a case for medical or criminal records. Wettach: Law doesn't allow for the Auditor to make a case.

Wettach: This law made it harder to do the job. State auditors across the country said this would limit abilities of the office to do its job.

Law on agency suits Cournoyer: We needed guardrails on how the auditor conducts business. I don't want to make a habit of taking a state agency to court. The bill created arbitration panel like in other state.

Cournoyer: We need teeth in the law. Help make the taxpayer whole again. We have a chance to help local officials to know what to look for and do.

Audits of small towns - jail time for a level of theft Wettach: I'm in support of more than just a slap on the wrist when tax payer dollars are in use. Good deterrence on the back end may help avoid theft.

Auditor and CPAs Cournoyer: I have served office and 30 years in tech, small business owner. Wettach: Office needs to maintain independence. Go after those trying to rig the system.

Next episode is about to roll: Our guests will be candidates for State Auditor Chris Cournoyer (R-LeClaire) and Taylor Wettach (D-Muscatine). We'll discuss key issues and policy positions.

Thank you for the follow on this episode. Look for the full episode posted online. More updates from the next taping coming just after noon.

Poll workers on election day Pate: I've encouraged raising pay. The issue is the long hours. Big commitment for the day. Peterman: It is hard to find poll workers in all corners in the state. I want to make election day a holiday. Often a long, thankless day.

Peterman: Security is always a factor. Make decisions about risks. I'll watch cyber security - make decisions to make safe from threats.

How secure is our system? Pate: I feel good about it. 90% of Iowans have confidence in our system. We have layers - Voter ID, paper ballots, pre and post election review. Just had top secret briefing on elections.

Open primaries Pate: That's another way to say rank-choice voting. Many not a fan of it. Challenging process - technical components. XGR has debated it. Evolution to monitor. Peterman: We need to make sure our process is open. How would we do this - not like California.