A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Clarke County Election Department on October 29, 2024. The request, made by Athens Reporter, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, sought detailed information about the methods used by the department to count votes.
The Athens Reporter specifically requested an outline of the vote counting methods being employed. If manual counting is involved, they also asked for an estimated number of people who would be working on election night. This request was made under the Georgia Open Records Act § 50.18.70 et seq., with a preference for receiving the information in electronic format.
As a media organization dedicated to gathering and reporting news to the public, Athens Reporter emphasized that access to public records is essential for them to fulfill their professional responsibilities. These responsibilities include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
In light of their role in disseminating information, Athens Reporter also requested a fee waiver as a media professional. They expressed readiness to answer any questions regarding their request and look forward to receiving a response from the Clarke County Election Department soon.
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