A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Walworth County Election Department in Wisconsin on February 5, 2025. The request was made by The Sconi, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
In our quest for transparency and accountability, we sought information about all candidates running in the upcoming election. Specifically, we requested records under the Wisconsin Open Records Law, §19.31 et seq., preferably in electronic format.
The details we asked for included the candidates' first, middle, and last names, the office they are running for, their jurisdiction of office, and party affiliation. Additionally, we also requested all contact information for each candidate such as their address, phone number, and email address.
As a media organization dedicated to gathering and reporting news to the public, 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 believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional.
We at The Sconi remain committed to providing our readers with comprehensive coverage of local governmental affairs and will continue striving for transparency and accountability in all public matters.
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