A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Polk County Election Department on February 5, 2025. The request, sent by us at Rome Reporter, sought comprehensive details about all candidates running in the upcoming spring election.
Our request was made under the Georgia Open Records Act § 50.18.70 et seq., and we specifically asked for an electronic format of the records. We are interested in a complete list of all candidates vying for office in this forthcoming election.
The requested information includes each candidate's first, middle, and last names; the office they are running for; the jurisdiction of that office; and their party affiliation. Additionally, we have asked for contact information for each candidate—specifically their address, phone number, and email address.
As a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, access to public records is crucial for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
Given our role in disseminating information to the public, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional under the provisions of the FOIA.
We await a positive response from the Polk County Election Department as we continue our mission to provide thorough and transparent reporting on local government affairs.
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