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Houghton County board denies FOIA finance request for election records; cost estimated at about $50,000
Summary
The board voted to deny a FOIA finance request for November 8, 2022 election records after administrators estimated fulfillment costs near $50,000; public commenters debated election integrity and a League of Women Voters letter opposing the request was read aloud.
The Houghton County Board of Commissioners voted on Dec. 13 to deny a FOIA finance request seeking election records from the Nov. 8, 2022 election after county staff estimated the cost to produce the materials at roughly $50,000.
Administrator Bjorn told the board that some township records (Osceola and Hancock) were missing from the estimate and that overall costs were approximately $50,000. During public comment Barry Fink of the League of Women Voters read a letter opposing the FOIA request and said it is “an inappropriate use of taxpayer’s money,” while Faith Morrison said there was no evidence of wrongdoing in Houghton County.
Erik Kiilunen told the board he had found apparent anomalies on the voter rolls and suggested reviewing rolls every two years; others, including William Keith, praised election workers and opposed paying to fulfill the FOIA. After the discussion Commissioner Glenn Anderson moved and Commissioner Gretchen Janssen seconded a motion to deny the FOIA finance request; the motion carried by voice vote (Ayes 5, Nays 0).
Why it matters: The decision stops a potentially costly county-funded review of election records and reflects a split between public concerns about voter rolls and statements defending the integrity of the local election process.
Next steps: The board record shows the FOIA finance request was denied; no additional county-funded review was authorized at the meeting.
Quoted speakers in this article appear in the meeting record.
