A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Clay County Election Department in North Carolina on February 5, 2025. The request was made by Nantahala News, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
In our pursuit of transparency and accountability in public institutions, we requested detailed information about all candidates running for the upcoming spring election under the North Carolina Public Records Law, G.S. §132-1. Specifically, we asked for an electronic format list of all candidates including their first, middle and last names; the office they are running for; jurisdiction of the office; and party affiliation.
In addition to these details, we also requested contact information for each candidate. This includes their address, phone number, and email address.
As a media organization committed to delivering reliable news to the public, access to such public records is crucial for us at Nantahala News. We believe that such requests not only contribute to our professional responsibilities but also play a vital role in ensuring transparency in our democratic processes.
We await a positive response from the Clay County Election Department as we continue our work in keeping the public informed about their local government affairs.