A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Columbus County Election Department on October 30, 2024. The request, made by South North Carolina News, sought detailed reports about pre-election tests conducted on voting machines.
The requested information included specific details such as the test date, machine manufacturer, machine model number, and the status of each machine - whether it passed or failed in the testing process. The media organization asked for these records under the North Carolina Public Records Law, G.S. §132-1., and preferred that they be provided in an electronic format.
As a news outlet dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate coverage of local governmental affairs, we at South North Carolina News believe access to public records is essential for fulfilling our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency for the public.
Given our role in disseminating information to the public, we also requested a fee waiver as a media professional during this process. We are committed to keeping our readers informed about important issues concerning local governance and elections.
We will continue to keep you updated as we receive more information from the Columbus County Election Department regarding this FOIA request.
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