A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Bureau of Election on February 5, 2025. The request was made by us at Enchantment State News, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The request was made under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act, 14-2-1 NMSA 1978 et seq., and we specifically asked for a list of all candidates running in the upcoming election. The details requested include each candidate’s first, middle, and last name; the office they are running for; the jurisdiction of that office; and their party affiliation.
Additionally, we requested all contact information for each candidate, including their address, phone number, and email address.
As members of the media involved in gathering and reporting news to the public, access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These responsibilities 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.
We await a response from the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Bureau of Election regarding this FOIA request.
