Government Transparency

Government openness and transparency are cornerstones to a healthy democracy.

Placeholder image

Government openness and transparency are cornerstones to a healthy democracy and fights for access and fair process at all levels of government.

We can only hold our government accountable – and ensure that it is working on behalf of the people – when we shed light on what public entities and officials are doing. The ACLU of Maine advocates for strong laws that require transparency and public access, including to public meetings and government records, and we use open records requests to collect information relevant to protecting civil liberties.

The federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Maine's Freedom of Access Act are crucial tools for ordinary people to provide checks and balances on elected officials; filing requests and obtaining information is just a first step in keeping public officials transparent and accountable.

The Latest

News & Commentary
Immigrants are welcome here graphic

What an Agreement with ICE Means for the Town of Wells

As Wells considers its next budget, an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement is likely to increase costs and liabilities, threaten Maine people's constitutional rights, and decrease community safety.
Press Release
Poster reading "immigrants are welcome here"

ACLU of Maine Finds Expanded Immigration Detainment, Demands More Information

The ACLU of Maine learned of increased ICE detention in Maine and is seeking more information about local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights, Government Transparency
News & Commentary
A graphic featuring Trump and imagery pertaining to surveillance and first amendment rights.

How Trump's Proposed Radical Expansion of Executive Power Will Impact Our Freedoms

A second Trump administration threatens to use executive authority to further limit First Amendment freedoms, surveil Americans and undermine democracy.
Press Release
Text with redaction lines

Municipal Risk Pool Ordered to Pay $130,000 in Public Records Case

A government entity has been ordered to pay $130,000 of our legal expenses after refusing to comply with an open records request.
Issue Areas: Government Transparency
Court Case
Jul 27, 2020

Keeping Government Transparent – Human Rights Defense Center v. Municipal Risk Pool

In a landmark decision, Maine’s highest court ruled that a government entity acted in bad faith when it withheld public documents. This ruling shows that Maine’s open records laws have teeth, and that when the government illegally denies access to public documents, it will pay the price.