A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Pike County Election Department on February 5, 2025. The request was made by us at Macon Times, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The request sought records under the Georgia Open Records Act § 50.18.70 et seq., specifically a list of all candidates running for the upcoming election. The information requested includes each candidate’s first, middle, and last name; the office they are running for; jurisdiction of the office; and party affiliation.
In addition to this, we also requested all contact information for each candidate. This includes their address, phone number, and email address.
As a media organization, we believe in holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. We have requested a fee waiver as a media professional in light of our role in disseminating information.
We are awaiting a response from the Pike County Election Department regarding this request.
