A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Bay County Election Division on February 5, 2025. The request, issued by Tri-City Sun, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, seeks detailed information about all candidates running in the upcoming election.
The requested records specifically include a list of all candidates' first, middle, and last names. Additionally, the office each candidate is running for and its jurisdiction were also asked for. The party affiliation of each candidate is another piece of information that Tri-City Sun has requested.
In addition to these details about the candidates themselves, Tri-City Sun has also asked for contact information for each candidate. This includes their address, phone number, and email address.
Tri-City Sun justified this request by emphasizing its role as a member of the media involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records is essential for them to fulfill their professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
Given their role in disseminating information, Tri-City Sun believes they are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional. As of now, there has been no response from the Bay County Election Division regarding this request.
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