A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Mason County Election Division in Michigan on February 5, 2025. The request was made by West Central Michigan News, a media organization committed to delivering comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
In the interest of public transparency and accountability, we sought detailed information about all candidates running for office in the upcoming election. We requested this data under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act § 15.231 et seq., with a preference for electronic format delivery.
The specifics of our request included personal details about each candidate such as their first, middle, and last names. We also asked for information about the office they are running for and its jurisdiction, along with their party affiliation.
Additionally, 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 transparent news coverage to the public, we believe access to such public records is crucial in fulfilling our professional responsibilities. Our role involves holding public institutions accountable and ensuring that citizens are well-informed about their elected representatives.
We have also stated our eligibility for a fee waiver as a media professional due to our role in disseminating information to the public.
We remain committed to bringing accurate and timely news regarding local government affairs to our readership across West Central Michigan.