A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Madison County Election Department regarding information about candidates running in the upcoming election. The request was made on February 5, 2025.
As part of our commitment to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs at Athens Reporter, we requested specific records under the Georgia Open Records Act § 50.18.70 et seq., preferably in electronic format.
The records we sought include a list of all candidates running for the upcoming election with their full names, the office they are vying for, jurisdiction of the office, and party affiliation. We also asked for complete contact information for each candidate including their address, phone number, and email address.
We believe that access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities as journalists. This includes holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we have requested a fee waiver as media professionals.
The Madison County Election Department has yet to respond to our request. As always, we remain committed to delivering reliable and timely news about local government affairs to our readers.
