A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Marquette County Election Department on February 5, 2025. The request was made by us at The Sconi, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The FOIA request seeks records under the Wisconsin Open Records Law, §19.31 et seq., specifically asking for a list of all candidates running in the upcoming election. We requested this information preferably in an electronic format for ease of dissemination and analysis.
The specific details we asked for each candidate include their first, middle, and last names; the office they are running for; jurisdiction of the office; and party affiliation. Additionally, we requested all contact information for each candidate which includes their address, phone number, and email address.
As a media organization, we believe that access to public records is essential in fulfilling our professional responsibilities. These responsibilities include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. In line with this belief, we have also asked for a fee waiver as a media professional.
We continue to await response from the Marquette County Election Department regarding our request. Our aim is to use this information to keep our readers informed about their choices in the upcoming elections and ensure transparency in local government affairs.