A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Bibb County Election Department on February 5, 2025. The request, made by us at Macon Times, seeks comprehensive details about all candidates running in the upcoming spring election.
Our news organization is committed to providing accurate and thorough coverage of local governmental affairs. As such, we have requested records under the Georgia Open Records Act § 50.18.70 et seq., specifically asking for a list of all candidates participating in the forthcoming election.
The information we are seeking 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 complete contact information for each candidate. This includes their address, phone number, and email address.
As members of the media, our role involves gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records is crucial for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
We believe that as a media organization involved in disseminating information to the public, we should be eligible for a fee waiver. We await a response from the Bibb County Election Department regarding this matter.
