A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Dodge County Election Department in Georgia on February 5, 2025. The request, filed by Central Georgia News, sought comprehensive details about the candidates running for office in the upcoming election.
As a media organization committed to providing accurate and thorough news coverage on local governmental affairs, we at Central Georgia News requested this information under the Georgia Open Records Act § 50.18.70 et seq. Our request specifically asked for an electronic format list of all candidates vying for office in the impending election.
The requested details include each candidate's first, middle, and last names; the office they are running for; jurisdiction of that office; party affiliation; and contact information such as address, phone number, and email address.
We believe that access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These responsibilities include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. As a member of the media involved in gathering and reporting news to the public, we consider ourselves eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional.
We will continue to seek out and disseminate crucial information about our local government's workings and those seeking to become part of it. This effort aligns with our commitment to ensure transparency in governance and provide our readers with comprehensive coverage of governmental affairs.
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