A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the McDuffie County Election Department on October 29, 2024. The request was made by East Central Georgia News, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The request sought information under the Georgia Open Records Act § 50.18.70 et seq., specifically asking for details about the methods being used to count votes in the upcoming election. If manual counting is being employed, the department has been asked to provide an estimated number of people who will be working on election night.
As a media organization, East Central Georgia News plays a vital role in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records such as these is essential for us at East Central Georgia News to fulfill our professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
In light of our role in disseminating information, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional. We eagerly await a response from the McDuffie County Election Department and will continue our efforts to ensure transparency in local government affairs.
