A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Kent County Election Division on February 5, 2025. The request was made by us at Grand Rapids Reporter, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The request under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act § 15.231 et seq., asked for a list of all candidates running in the upcoming election. We requested that this information be provided in an electronic format and include:
– The candidate’s first, middle, and last name
– The office for which they are running
– The jurisdiction of the office
– The party affiliation of the candidate
In addition to these details, we also requested all contact information for each candidate, including their address, phone number, and email address.
As a media organization committed to holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public, access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. In light of our role in disseminating information, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional.
We await a response from the Kent County Election Division regarding this request.
