A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Franklin County Election Department regarding pre-election voting machine test reports on October 30, 2024. The request was made by South Central PA News, a media organization committed to comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The request specifically asked for records under the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law, 65 §66.1 et seq., in electronic format. The desired records pertain to pre-election testing of voting machines used in the county's elections.
The requested details include the date of the test, the manufacturer of the machine, the model number of the machine, and whether each machine passed or failed its respective test. The information is sought in PDF format.
As members of South Central PA News, we are involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as media professionals.
This move is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in local government operations, particularly with regard to election processes and machinery. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.