A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Utah State Elections Department regarding the upcoming spring elections candidates for office on February 5, 2025. The request was made by Beehive State News, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
In our quest for transparency and accountability in public institutions, we requested detailed information about all candidates running in the forthcoming election. The specifics we sought include the first, middle, and last names of the candidates; the office they are vying for; their jurisdiction; and their party affiliation.
In addition to these details, we also asked for each candidate's contact information such as address, phone number, and email address. This data is crucial in facilitating communication between us at Beehive State News and the respective candidates.
As a media organization committed to reporting news to the public, access to public records is vital for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. Therefore, we believe that we are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional under the Utah Government Records Access and Management Act.
We await a positive response from the Utah State Elections Department as this information will significantly aid our mission of providing comprehensive news coverage on local governmental affairs.