FOIA Request to Berrien County Election Department Regarding Ballot Counting Methods on October 29, 2024.
In a bid to ensure transparency and accountability in the upcoming elections, we at South Georgia Times have sent a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Berrien County Election Department. The request was made under the Georgia Open Records Act § 50.18.70 et seq., and seeks information about the methods used by the department to count votes.
We have specifically asked for details about whether vote counting is done manually or through automated means. If manual counting is employed, we requested an estimate of the number of people who will be working on election night.
As a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, 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 members of the media involved in gathering and reporting news to the public, we are eligible for a fee waiver as media professionals.
The request comes as part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that our readers are well-informed about the processes that govern their democratic rights. We will continue seeking answers and shedding light on issues that matter most to our community.
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