A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Village of Mattoon, Wisconsin, regarding new voter registrations on November 7, 2024. The request was made by the Green Bay Reporter, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
In our request, we sought access to records under the Wisconsin Open Records Law, §19.31 et seq., specifically asking for a list of new voters who registered to vote on November 5, 2024. As a media organization, we are committed to gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records is crucial for us in fulfilling our professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
We believe that as media professionals engaged in disseminating information, we are eligible for a fee waiver. We are awaiting a response from the Village of Mattoon and will continue our efforts to provide transparent and accountable reporting on local government affairs.
Please stay tuned for updates as we continue our investigation into this matter.