A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Blair County Election Department regarding the candidates running in the upcoming spring election on February 5, 2025. The request was made by us at Altoona Times, 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 each candidate under the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law, 65 §66.1 et seq. The information requested includes the full names of the candidates (first, middle, and last), the office they are running for, jurisdiction of the office, and their party affiliation.
In addition to these details, we also asked for all contact information for each candidate. This includes their address, phone number, and email address.
As a media organization involved in gathering and reporting news to the public, access to such public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. We believe that this kind of transparency is not only beneficial for us as journalists but also serves the interest of our readers who have a right to know about their potential representatives.
We have also sought a fee waiver as a media professional due to our role in disseminating this important information to the public.
The Blair County Election Department has yet to respond to our request. We will continue to keep you updated as more information becomes available.
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