A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Graham County Election Department in North Carolina on February 5, 2025. The request was made by Nantahala News, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
In the request, we at Nantahala News asked for a list of all candidates running in the upcoming election under the North Carolina Public Records Law, G.S. ยง132-1. We requested this information preferably in an electronic format for ease of access and dissemination.
The specific details we sought included each candidate’s first, middle, and last names; the office they are running for; the jurisdiction of that office; and their party affiliation. In addition to these details about their candidacy, we also requested contact information for each candidate. This includes their address, phone number, and email address.
As members of the media involved in 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 media professionals.
We look forward to receiving this important information from the Graham County Election Department so that we can continue our work in keeping the public informed about local governmental affairs.
