A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Lincoln County Election Department in Wisconsin on October 30, 2024. The request was made by The Sconi, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
In the request, we asked for a list of methods the department is using to count ballots for the upcoming election. If ballots are being counted manually, we requested an estimated number of people who will be working on election night.
As journalists from The Sconi, we emphasized our role in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records is crucial for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we stated our belief that we are eligible for a fee waiver as media professionals.
The FOIA request aims at ensuring transparency and accountability in the electoral process. We believe that understanding how votes are counted is vital for maintaining trust in our democratic systems. As always, The Sconi remains committed to keeping the public informed about these important issues.
