A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Chatham County Election Department in North Carolina on February 5, 2025. The request was made by South Triangle News, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The FOIA request specifically asked for a list of all candidates running in the upcoming spring election. The requested information included each candidate's first, middle, and last name; the office they are running for; the jurisdiction of that office; and their party affiliation.
In addition to this, South Triangle News also requested contact information for each candidate. This includes their address, phone number, and email address.
South Triangle News emphasized the importance of access to public records in fulfilling its professional responsibilities. These 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, South Triangle News believes it is eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional.
The Chatham County Election Department has yet to respond publicly to this request.
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