A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Butts County Election Department in Georgia on October 29, 2024. The request was made by SE Atlanta News, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The request sought information under the Georgia Open Records Act § 50.18.70 et seq., specifically asking for details about the methods used by the department to count votes in upcoming elections. If manual counting is employed, the request also asked for an estimated number of people who would be working on election night.
As a media organization, we at SE Atlanta News are involved in 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. Given our role in disseminating information, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional.
We eagerly await a response from the Butts County Election Department and will continue to strive for transparency and accountability in our reporting.
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