A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Somerset County Election Department on October 30, 2024. The request was made by Laurel Highlands Today, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
In the request, Laurel Highlands Today sought access to pre-election test reports for voting machines used in the county’s elections. The requested records were specifically asked for under the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law, 65 §66.1 et seq., and preferably in an electronic format.
The specific fields requested within these reports include the test date, machine manufacture, machine model number, and machine status – whether it passed or failed its pre-election test.
As a media organization, Laurel Highlands Today is involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records such as these is essential for fulfilling their professional responsibilities. These responsibilities include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
Given their role in disseminating information, Laurel Highlands Today believes they are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional. They await a response from the Somerset County Election Department regarding this request.
