A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Tift County Election Department on February 5, 2025. The request was made by Albany Standard, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
In the FOIA request, Albany Standard asked for a list of all candidates running in the upcoming election. The information requested included the candidates’ first, middle, and last names; the office they are running for; jurisdiction of the office; and party affiliation.
Additionally, Albany Standard requested contact information for each candidate. This includes their address, phone number, and email address.
As members of the media organization Albany Standard, we 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.
The FOIA request has been made under Georgia’s Open Records Act § 50.18.70 et seq., with a preference for receiving responses in electronic format.
