A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Monroe County Election Division on October 30, 2024. The request, sent by us at the Monroe Review, seeks access to pre-election voting machine test reports in a bid to enhance transparency and accountability.
The specific records requested under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act § 15.231 et seq., are detailed reports of pre-election tests conducted on voting machines. These records are expected to provide crucial information such as the date of the test, the manufacturer of the machine, the model number of the machine, and whether the machine passed or failed its pre-election test.
As a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we believe that access to these public records is essential for fulfilling our professional responsibilities. This includes holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
We have requested these documents in an electronic format, preferably PDF, for ease of dissemination and analysis. Given our role in gathering and reporting news to the public, we have also asked for a fee waiver as a media professional.
The request comes amidst growing concerns about election integrity and security across various states in America. Accessing this information will not only help us understand how well our voting systems are functioning but also inform our readers about any potential issues with voting machines ahead of future elections.
As always, we remain committed to bringing you up-to-date news about local government affairs. We'll keep you posted on any developments regarding this FOIA request.