A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Avery County Election Department on February 5, 2025. The request, made by us at High Country Times, sought comprehensive details about all candidates running in the upcoming spring elections.
The specifics of the request included not only the full names of the candidates but also the offices they are running for and their respective jurisdictions. Additionally, we asked for information regarding each candidate's party affiliation.
Furthermore, we requested all available contact information for each candidate. This includes their address, phone number, and email address.
As a media organization dedicated to providing accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, access to such public records is essential for us at High Country Times. It allows us to fulfill our professional responsibilities which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
We believe that as a media professional disseminating information to the public, we are eligible for a fee waiver for this request under North Carolina Public Records Law, G.S. §132-1.
We await a response from the Avery County Election Department and will continue to strive towards comprehensive and transparent reporting on local government affairs.
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