A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Columbia County Election Department on February 5, 2025. The request was made by North Central PA Times, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The FOIA request seeks information about all candidates running in the upcoming election. Specifically, North Central PA Times has asked for 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 these details, North Central PA Times has also requested contact information for each candidate. This includes their address, phone number, and email address.
As members of the media at North Central PA Times, we are involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities, which include 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 Columbia County Election Department regarding this request.
