Government Transparency

Government openness and transparency are cornerstones to a healthy democracy.

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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
An individuals holding a sign saying "Voting Rights Are For People Not Parties," outside of the U.S. Supreme Court ahead of arguments in the Voting Rights case Callais v. Landry.

Trump Wants Maine Voters' Private Data. A Federal Court Just Stopped Him.

A U.S. district court has dismissed the federal government's lawsuit, blocking its demand for full access to Maine voters' sensitive personal information.
News & Commentary
Collage of army men, capitol building, and constitution

War tests our rights. The ACLU of Maine is ready.

Over our 106-year history, the work of the ACLU has always been vital – but during wartime, our work becomes especially urgent.
News & Commentary
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Sanford is Refusing to Release Public Records. We Sued.

No government is above the law. Sanford must turn over their public records related to their police department's cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Press Release
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ACLU of Maine Sues Sanford for Withholding Records on ICE and CBP Collaboration

The organization is seeking records about traffic stops during which Sanford police turned a person over to ICE or CBP custody. Other Maine agencies have responded in full to 112 identical requests.
Issue Areas: Government Transparency, Immigrants' Rights
Court Cases: ACLU of Maine v. City of Sanford et al.
Court Case
Mar 12, 2026

ACLU of Maine v. City of Sanford et al.

We’re suing Sanford for refusing to comply with Maine’s Freedom of Access Act. We’re asking the Cumberland County Superior Court to order Sanford to turn over public information about their police department’s cooperation with ICE and CBP – something 112 other Maine agencies have already done.
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.