A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Oglethorpe County Election Department in Georgia on October 29, 2024. The request, filed by Athens Reporter, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, sought detailed information about the methods being used to count votes in the upcoming election.
Specifically, the FOIA request asked for a list of methods being used by the department to count votes. If any of these methods involved manual counting, Athens Reporter also requested an estimated number of people who would be working on election night.
The FOIA request underscored the importance of access to public records for media organizations like Athens Reporter. As part of their mission to hold public institutions accountable and provide transparency to the public, such access is crucial for them to fulfill their professional responsibilities.
In addition, given their role in disseminating information to the public, Athens Reporter believes they are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional under the Georgia Open Records Act § 50.18.70 et seq.
The Oglethorpe County Election Department has yet to respond publicly regarding this request.
