A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Jefferson County Election Department on February 5, 2025. The request was made by East Central Georgia News, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The FOIA request seeks records under the Georgia Open Records Act § 50.18.70 et seq., specifically a list of all candidates running in the upcoming election. The requested information includes the first, middle, and last names of each candidate, the office they are running for, their jurisdiction, and party affiliation.
In addition to these details about each candidate’s political campaign, East Central Georgia News has also requested contact information for each candidate. This includes their address, phone number, and email address.
As a media organization involved in gathering and reporting news to the public, East Central Georgia News emphasizes that access to public records is essential for fulfilling its professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given this role in disseminating information, East Central Georgia News believes it is eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional.
This FOIA request represents an ongoing commitment by East Central Georgia News to ensure that its coverage of local government affairs is as comprehensive and accurate as possible.
