A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Michigan Bureau of Elections on February 5, 2025. The request was made by Great Lakes Wire, 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 specific records under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act § 15.231 et seq., preferably in electronic format. The requested records include a list of all candidates running for the upcoming spring elections.
We asked for detailed information about each candidate, including their first, middle, and last names; the office they are running for; the jurisdiction of that office; and their party affiliation. We also sought contact information for each candidate such as their address, phone number, and email address.
As members of the media committed to gathering and reporting news to the public, access to public records is essential for us at Great Lakes Wire to fulfill our professional responsibilities. This includes 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 await a response from the Michigan Bureau of Elections and will continue our efforts to ensure that information about those seeking public office is accessible and transparent.
