A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Hoke County Election Department in North Carolina on February 5, 2025. The request was made by us at Fayetteville Today, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
In the request, we sought records under the North Carolina Public Records Law, G.S. §132-1., preferably in electronic format. Specifically, we asked for a list of all candidates running for the upcoming election. We requested details such as each candidate’s first, middle, and last name; the office they are running for; jurisdiction of the office; and party affiliation.
In addition to this information about the candidates themselves, we also requested contact information for each candidate. This includes their address, phone number, and email address.
As a media organization dedicated to transparency and accountability in public institutions, access to these public records is crucial for our work. Given our role in disseminating information to the public, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional.
The Hoke County Election Department has yet to respond to our request. We will continue to follow up on this matter and report any updates as they become available.
