SCGOP responds to Richland County Elections office blocking access to Joel Lourie documents
Chairman calls $1,000+ charge for public documents “outrageous,” says charge “further erodes public trust”

Columbia, S.C. – The S.C. Republican Party today responded to the Richland County Ombudsman and Election Office after they demanded over $1,036 to provide communications between State Senator Joel Lourie and the Richland County Election Office. Copies of all correspondence are attached.

SCGOP Chairman Matt Moore wrote Ombudsman Judy Carter, “Charging in excess of $1,000 for responding to a public records request amounts to nothing more than ‘double dipping’ by the Richland County Elections & Voter Registration Department. $1,036.86 is an outrageous amount to charge for responding to a simple and direct FOIA request. Not only does this fee limit access to public documents, but it is a deterrent for others seeking records and further erodes public trust and confidence in your office.”

Links to documents:

Reply to Richland County Ombudsman’s Office – April 3, 2014
https://www.sc.gop/assets/uploads/2014/04/SCGOPReply-RichlandOmb.pdf

Original SCGOP FOIA – March 27, 2014
https://www.sc.gop/assets/uploads/2014/04/SCGOP-FOIA-March27-Richland.pdf

The S.C. Republican Party will be submitting more FOIA requests in the coming days.