A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Village of Wheeler in Wisconsin on November 7, 2024. The request, made by us at Chippewa Valley Times, sought information about new voter registrations that occurred on November 5, 2024.
As a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we believe it is essential to have access to public records. This enables us to fulfill our professional responsibilities which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
The specific request under the Wisconsin Open Records Law, §19.31 et seq., was for a list of voters who registered on November 5, 2024. We requested this information preferably in an electronic format for ease of analysis and reporting.
Given our role in disseminating information to the public, we stated our belief that we are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional. This would allow us to continue providing valuable news coverage without undue financial burden.
We are awaiting a response from the Village of Wheeler and will continue our commitment to report on local governmental affairs with accuracy and integrity.
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