Open Records

Open Records refer to government documents, data, or information that are made available to the public by government agencies. The principle behind Open Records is transparency, allowing citizens to access information about government activities, decisions, and spending. Most jurisdictions have laws—often called Freedom of Information Acts—that specify how and when these records can be accessed, with certain exemptions for privacy, security, or sensitive data. Essentially, Open Records ensure government accountability by providing the public with the means to review and evaluate government actions.