Kemp: Abrams' Voter Turnout Effort Worrisome "If Everybody Votes"

ATLANTA, GA -- On the eve of his first televised debate in Georgia's nationally watched governor's race, Brian Kemp is facing new questions about alleged voter suppression efforts. In a recently leaked audio recording made available to Rolling Stone, Kemp is heard expressing concerns over his opponent's voter turnout operation. Kemp was appearing at a ticketed campaign event last week at Buckhead's Blind Pig Parlour Bar, and said Democrat Stacey Abrams' absentee ballot turnout operation “continues to concern us, especially if everybody uses and exercises their right to vote -- which they absolutely can -- and mail those ballots in."

In the recording, Kemp said his campaign needs "heavy turnout to offset that.”

It's the latest development in a remarkable several hours for both candidates leading up to Tuesday night's debate, the first time Kemp and Abrams have met in a televised debate. Earlier Tuesday, Abrams came under heavy scrutiny for her actions in a 1992 protest on the steps of the Georgia state capitol, in which she burned the state flag. Abrams was a student at Spelman College at the time of the protest, and her campaign admitted she burned the flag as a symbol of her opposition to the then-flag's Confederate emblem.

SEE ALSO: Two Weeks From Election, Abrams Under Fire For Flag Burning

Rolling Stone said an attendee of the "Georgia Professionals for Kemp” sent a 21-minute, 12-second recordingof the event to the publication, along with a receipt of their donation to Kemp's campaign as proof they were in attendance.

Kemp, who is also Georgia's secretary of state, is under heavy fire for his office's alleged attempts at voter suppression. The Coalition for Good Governance is Kemp, as well as state and Gwinnett County elections officials, over how mail-in absentee ballots are handled. The coalition, made up of five Georgia voters, filed the lawsuit last week to halt the excessive rejection of mail ballots because of voters' errors and discrepancies on mail ballot paperwork.

SEE ALSO: Group Suing Kemp, Gwinnett Elections Board Over Ballot Rejections

"Thousands of voters have been rejected by these unfair and unconstitutional practices in recent elections. We are asking the Court to intervene to stop these unjust actions in advance of the November election. Certain Georgia laws and policies prevent the counting of valid ballots cast by eligible voters merely trying to exercise their right to vote," said Marilyn Marks, executive director of Coalition for Good Governance.

Kemp is countering those allegations with numbers that show Georgia has shattered its all-time voter registration record with more than 7,000,000 active and inactive voters on the rolls.

"Despite what you hear or read, the numbers are clear," said Kemp, when the numbers were announced earlier this month. "While outside agitators disparage this office and falsely attack us, we have kept our heads down and remained focused on ensuring secure, accessible, and fair elections for all voters. The fact is that it has never been easier to register to vote and get engaged in the electoral process in Georgia, and we are incredibly proud to report this new record."

SEE ALSO: Georgia Shatters All-Time Voter Registration Numbers

Georgia is widely considered to be a bellwether state to determine whether Democrats can hope to retake control of a state that has been solidly in GOP control since 2002. Abrams is seeking to become the nation's first African-American female governor in history, while Kemp is aiming to maintain GOP control of every statewide elected office the party has enjoyed since 2002.

Here's a look at recent developments in Georgia's nationally watched races:

• Two Weeks & Counting: Georgians Vote In Governor Race, Midterms
• Kemp, Abrams Tied In Nation's Most Watched Governor's Race
• Group Suing Kemp, Gwinnett Elections Board Over Ballot Rejections
• GA Black Caucus To Hold News Conference On Gwinnett Voting Issues
• Runoff Possible In Nation's Most Watched Governor's Race
• Georgia Shatters All-Time Voter Registration Numbers
• Kemp Leads Older Voters, Abrams Strong Among Women | New Poll
• 9,000+ Already Voted In Nation's Most Watched Governor's Race

ATHENS, GA - JULY 24: Secretary of State Brian Kemp addresses the audience and declares victory during an election watch party on July 24, 2018 in Athens, Georgia. Kemp defeated opponent Casey Cagle in a runoff election for the Republican nomination for the Georgia Governor's race. (Photo by Jessica McGowan/Getty Images)