A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the New Jersey Secretary of State regarding the candidates running in the upcoming spring elections. The request was sent on February 5, 2025.
As part of our commitment to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we at Garden State Times requested a list of all candidates that are running for office in the forthcoming election. We asked for this information under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., and preferably in an electronic format.
The specifics we sought include each candidate’s first, middle, and last names; the office they are running for; the jurisdiction of that office; and their party affiliation. In addition to these details, we also requested contact information for each candidate, including their address, phone number, and email address.
As a media organization dedicated to gathering and reporting news to the public, access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These 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 a media professional.
We will continue our efforts in providing comprehensive coverage on local governmental affairs and keeping our readers informed about their prospective representatives.
