A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the City of West Bend, Wisconsin, on November 7, 2024. The request pertains to voter registration records from the recent election.
As a media organization dedicated to comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we at the Washington County Times have sought these records under the Wisconsin Open Records Law, §19.31 et seq. Specifically, we are interested in obtaining a list of new voters who registered to vote on November 5, 2024.
Our commitment to gathering and reporting news to the public necessitates access to such public records. These records play a crucial role in enabling us to fulfill our professional responsibilities which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency for our readership.
Given our role in disseminating information, we believe we qualify for a fee waiver as a media professional. We eagerly await the City of West Bend’s response and remain available for any further clarification needed regarding this request.
