Public Records

Federal laws such as the Freedom of Information Act, and state laws like Ohio’s Public Records and Open Meetings acts, were designed to promote citizen involvement and government accountability. Transparency allows for increased public awareness of government functions and actions, a higher level of efficiency and accountability, and a deeper sense of trust between leadership and the community.

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Public Records

Did you know? Ohio’s public records laws allow you to request emails, policies, budgets, and more from government offices, and in many cases the office is required to hand it over.

It is up to you to hold our government accountable for its actions. Ohio government can truly be one made by the people and for the people when it is open to the public.

Download Keep An Eye On Your Government: The Activists How-To-Guide below.

Don’t let this invaluable tool go unused!

To request free copies of our Keep An Eye On Your Government palm card, please email [email protected].

Download the Ohio Court Of Claims Complaint Form below.

Documents

The Latest

Press Release
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ACLU of Ohio Sends Letter to Village of Brewster for Misinterpreting Recent Amendments to Ohio’s Public Records Laws

Issue Areas: Public Records
Press Release
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Supreme Court of Ohio Grants ACLU of Ohio’s Request, Allows Case to Proceed against Geauga County Sheriff’s Office for its Failure to Abide by Public Records Law

Issue Areas: Public Records
Press Release
The words 'Press Release' in white font in a red rectangle on a navy background

ACLU of Ohio Files Legal Action in Ohio Supreme Court Following Geauga County Sheriff’s Office Refusal to Abide by Public Records Law and Provide ICE Contracts

Today, the ACLU of Ohio filed a lawsuit asking the Supreme Court of Ohio to order the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office to comply with Ohio’s public records laws
Issue Areas: Public Records
News & Commentary
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Amended House Bill 5 – Interested Party Testimony 

The ACLU of Ohio believes there are aspects of Amended House Bill 5 worthy of additional and thorough consideration so you, and all Ohioans, know the complete ramifications of its passage.
Court Case
Jul 06, 2021

State ex rel. Collin Marozzi v. Ohio House of Representatives

For over five months, the three highest level officials and staffers in the Ohio House – House Speaker Robert Cupp, his chief of staff Christine Morrison, and Majority Floor Leader Bill Seitz – failed to produce a single document. Two others – mapmaker Heather Blessing and Speaker Cupp’s Deputy Chie
Court Case
Apr 20, 2017

ACLU of Illinois et al. v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Court Case
Jul 08, 2016

State Ex. Rel. Joseph Mead v. City of Dayton

Court Case
Sep 12, 2013

State of Ohio, ex rel. Plunderbund Media, LLC v. Ohio Dept. of Public Safety