A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the White County Election Department in Georgia on February 5, 2025. The request, made by us at Georgia Mountain News, sought comprehensive information about all candidates running in the upcoming election.
In our pursuit of transparency and accountability in local governmental affairs, we requested specific details under the Georgia Open Records Act § 50.18.70 et seq. The information sought includes the full names of all candidates (first, middle, and last), the office they are running for, jurisdiction of the office, and their party affiliation.
Additionally, we also asked for complete contact information for each candidate. This includes their address, phone number, and email address. We believe that this information is crucial in providing comprehensive coverage of the electoral process and ensuring that our readers have access to accurate information about their potential representatives.
As a media organization committed to delivering accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we stressed that access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These responsibilities include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
Given our role in disseminating information to the public, we expressed our belief that we are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional. We await a response from the White County Election Department regarding this request.
