A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Mitchell County Election Department in Georgia on October 29, 2024. The request was made by SW Georgia News, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The request asked for records under the Georgia Open Records Act § 50.18.70 et seq., specifically for information regarding the methods used by the department to count votes. If the counting process is manual, SW Georgia News also requested an estimate of the number of people who would be working on election night.
As a media organization, SW Georgia News emphasized its role in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to such public records is crucial for their professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
In light of their role in disseminating information, SW Georgia News has stated that they believe they are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional.
The Mitchell County Election Department has yet to respond to this request.
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