A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Towns County Election Department in Georgia on October 29, 2024. The request, made by us at Georgia Mountain News, sought specific details about the methods being used to count votes in the upcoming elections.
In particular, we asked for a comprehensive list of all techniques and processes employed by the department for vote counting. If manual counting is part of their procedure, we also requested an estimate of the number of personnel expected to be working on election night.
As a media organization dedicated to delivering accurate and thorough news coverage on local government affairs, access to such public records is vital. It enables us to fulfill our professional responsibilities which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
Given our role in disseminating information, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional. We eagerly await a response from the Towns County Election Department and will continue our efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in local government operations.
