A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Van Buren County Election Division in Michigan on October 30, 2024. The request was made by St. Joe-Benton Harbor News, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The FOIA request specifically sought access to the pre-election test reports for the county's voting machines. The requested information included the date of the tests, machine manufacture details, machine model numbers, and the status of each machine - whether it passed or failed the test.
As part of our commitment to holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public, we at St. Joe-Benton Harbor News believe that access to such records is essential for fulfilling our professional responsibilities. Given our role in disseminating information to the public, we have also requested a fee waiver as a media professional under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act § 15.231 et seq.
We eagerly await a response from the Van Buren County Election Division and will continue our efforts in ensuring transparency and accountability in local government affairs.
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