A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Towns County Election Department in Georgia on February 5, 2025. The request, made by us at Georgia Mountain News, seeks comprehensive details about all candidates running in the upcoming election.
The requested information includes the first, middle, and last names of the candidates, the office they are running for, their jurisdiction of office, and their party affiliation. In addition to these basic details, we have also asked for contact information for each candidate. This includes their address, phone number, and email address.
As a media organization committed to providing accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we believe that access to such public records is essential. 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 to the public, we have requested a fee waiver as a media professional under the Georgia Open Records Act § 50.18.70 et seq.
We await a response from the Towns County Election Department and will continue our efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in our local government.
