The public's ability to access public records is at the foundation of a healthy democracy. Like voting, public records are an important tool for people to hold public officials and the government accountable.
IN PROGRESS: People without stable housing are arrested much more often than those with permanent housing, usually for nonviolent, low-level offenses. To better understand this disparity in our state, the ACLU of Maine is asking for public records related to the arrests of unhoused people.
July 28, 2025
IN PROGRESS: We're demanding information from state and federal agencies about how Maine's state and local law enforcement are helping to carry out Trump's cruel immigration policies.
April 17, 2025
COMPLETE: We learned of plans to fingerprint students at a public high school. We immediately filed a records request to learn more and the school reversed course.
February 13, 2024
COMPLETE: In 2021, the Human Rights Defense Center requested records relating to a legal settlement in the Kennebec County Jail. After refusing to release the public records, we sued the government entity that refused to comply with HRDC's lawful request.
May 7, 2021
IN PROGRESS: We've obtained extensive data from Maine's Department of Corrections to determine if courts are imposing different criminal sentences based on a person's race, gender, or age.
January 3, 2024
IN PROGRESS: During traffic stops, Maine State Police have called federal immigration agents to the scene and taken people to federal immigration agents following the stop. We're demanding information to learn more about Maine's cooperation with federal immigration agencies.
January 17, 2023
IN PROGRESS: In the face of rising homelessness rates, Portland has turned to cruel policies that ignore the root causes of unsheltered homelessness and threaten unhoused residents' rights.
December 8, 2023
IN PROGRESS: Many Maine towns and cities are turning to policies that ignore the root causes of unsheltered homelessness and threaten unhoused residents' rights. We're seeking more information to learn about Bangor's policies and enforcement practices.
March 14, 2024
IN PROGRESS: Many Maine towns and cities are turning to policies that ignore the root causes of unsheltered homelessness and threaten unhoused residents' rights. We're seeking more information to learn about Sanford's policies and enforcement practices.
March 14, 2024
IN PROGRESS: Many Maine towns and cities are turning to policies that ignore the root causes of unsheltered homelessness and threaten unhoused residents' rights. We're seeking more information to learn about policies and enforcement practices in Lewiston and Auburn.
March 14, 2024
IN PROGRESS: Maine counties settle their lawsuits through a taxpayer-funded pool of funds. Settlements could range from allegations of violence in a county jail to gender discrimination against a county employee.
February 13, 2024