A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Jefferson County Election Department in Wisconsin on October 30, 2024. The request was made by The Sconi, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The FOIA request specifically asked for a list of methods the department is using to count ballots for the upcoming election. If the ballots are being counted manually, The Sconi also requested an estimated number of people who will be working on election night.
As journalists from The Sconi, 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. Given our role in disseminating information, we have requested a fee waiver as media professionals under the Wisconsin Open Records Law, §19.31 et seq.
We await a response from the Jefferson County Election Department and will continue our efforts to provide comprehensive and accurate news coverage on this matter.
