A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Alleghany County Election Department in North Carolina on February 5, 2025. The request was made by us at High Country Times, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The request, made under the North Carolina Public Records Law, G.S. §132-1., asked for a list of all candidates running in the upcoming election. We requested this information preferably in an electronic format for ease of access and dissemination.
The specific details we sought included each candidate’s first, middle, and last names; the office they are running for; the jurisdiction of that office; and their party affiliation. In addition to these details about their candidacy, we also requested all contact information for each candidate. This includes their address, phone number, and email address.
As a media organization committed to transparency and accountability in public institutions, we believe that access to such public records is essential in fulfilling our professional responsibilities. We further stated our belief that we are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional due to our role in disseminating information to the public.
We at High Country Times remain committed to providing our readers with comprehensive coverage of local governmental affairs. Accessing this kind of public record allows us to keep our readers informed about who is seeking office in their communities and how they can get in touch with those candidates.
