A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Stanly County Election Department on October 30, 2024. The request was made by us at Randolph County News, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
In our pursuit of transparency and accountability, we requested access to public records under the North Carolina Public Records Law, G.S. §132-1. Specifically, we asked for the pre-election test reports of voting machines used in the county's elections.
The information sought includes details such as the test date, machine manufacturer, machine model number, and machine status (whether it passed or failed). We requested these records preferably in electronic format and in PDF format.
As a media organization involved in gathering and reporting news to the public, access to such public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. This includes holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
We believe that we are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional due to our role in disseminating information. Our goal is always to ensure that the public is well-informed about local government activities and decisions that may impact them.
We will continue our efforts in seeking transparency from public institutions and keeping our readers informed about important developments in their community.
Alerts Sign-up