A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Grand Traverse County Election Division on February 5, 2025. The request was made by North Michigan News, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The request specifically asked for a list of all candidates running in the upcoming election. This list should include each candidate's first, middle, and last name; the office they are running for; the jurisdiction of that office; and their party affiliation.
In addition to this basic information about each candidate, North Michigan News also requested contact information for each candidate. This includes their address, phone number, and email address.
As members of the media, we at North Michigan News believe access to public records is essential for fulfilling our professional responsibilities. These responsibilities include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we have requested a fee waiver as a media professional.
This request aligns with our ongoing commitment to provide accurate and comprehensive coverage of local government affairs. We will continue to use tools like FOIA requests to ensure transparency and accountability in our reporting.