A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Liberty County Election Department in Georgia on October 29, 2024. The request was made by Coastal GA News, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The specific information requested under the Georgia Open Records Act § 50.18.70 et seq., pertains to the methods used by the department for counting votes in the upcoming election. If manual counting is employed, an estimate of the number of people expected to work on election night was also asked for.
As members of the media, we at Coastal GA News are involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records is essential 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 media professionals. We eagerly await a response from the Liberty County Election Department and will continue striving towards transparency and accountability in all matters of public interest.
