A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Mecosta County Election Division on February 5, 2025. The request, made by West Central Michigan News, sought detailed information about all candidates running in the upcoming election.
As a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we at West Central Michigan News requested this information under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act § 15.231 et seq. Our request specifically asked for an electronic format list of all candidates running in the forthcoming election.
The details we sought for each candidate included their first, middle and last names; the office they are running for; jurisdiction of the office; party affiliation; and contact information such as address, phone number, and email address.
We believe that access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. As members of the media involved in gathering and reporting news to the public, we also stated our eligibility for a fee waiver as media professionals.
Our goal is always to serve our readers with accurate information that helps them make informed decisions about their local government. We will continue to utilize tools like FOIA requests to ensure transparency and accountability in our local elections.
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