A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Colquitt County Election Department on October 29, 2024. The request, made by South Georgia Times, sought detailed information about the methods used for counting votes in the upcoming elections.
The South Georgia Times is a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. As part of our commitment to transparency and public accountability, we requested specific records under the Georgia Open Records Act § 50.18.70 et seq.
In particular, we asked for a list of methods they are using to count votes. If manual counting is employed, we also requested an estimated number of people who will be working on election night.
As a media organization involved in gathering and reporting news to the public, access to such public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
We believe that as a media professional, we are eligible for a fee waiver when requesting such information. We await a response from the Colquitt County Election Department and will continue our efforts in ensuring transparency in local government affairs.
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