FOIA Request to Portage County Election Department Regarding Ballot Counting Methods on October 30, 2024. The request was sent by The Sconi, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The Sconi requested specific records under the Wisconsin Open Records Law, §19.31 et seq., preferably in electronic format. Specifically, we asked for a list of methods being used to count ballots in the upcoming election. If the ballots are being counted manually, we also requested an estimated number of people who will be working on election night.
As members of the media, we are involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records is essential 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 believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as media professionals.
We await a response from the Portage County Election Department and will keep our readers updated with any developments.
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