A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Alexander County Election Department in North Carolina on February 5, 2025. The request was made by us at Hickory Sun, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The FOIA request specifically asked for records under the North Carolina Public Records Law, G.S. §132-1., preferably in electronic format. We sought a list of all candidates running for the upcoming election. The information requested included each candidate’s first, middle, and last name; the office they are running for; the jurisdiction of the office; and their party affiliation.
Additionally, we requested all contact information for each candidate. This includes their address, phone number, and email address.
As members of the media dedicated to gathering and reporting news to the public, access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These responsibilities include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as media professionals.
We will continue to follow this story closely and provide updates as more information becomes available.
