A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Echols County Election Department in Georgia on October 29, 2024. The request was made by South Georgia Times, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The request specifically sought records under the Georgia Open Records Act § 50.18.70 et seq., regarding the methods being used by the department to count votes in the upcoming election. In addition, if manual counting is being employed, an estimate of the number of people expected to work on election night was also requested.
As a media organization, South Georgia Times is deeply involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records such as these is essential for fulfilling professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
In line with this commitment to transparency and accountability, South Georgia Times has requested a fee waiver for this information as a media professional. This is based on their role in disseminating information to the public and their belief that they are eligible for such a waiver.
The Echols County Election Department has yet to respond or provide any further details regarding this request.
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