Government Transparency

True democracy demands government transparency. The ACLU of Massachusetts works to strengthen the public’s right to hold officials accountable.

Collage of Massachusetts State House and a filing cabinet with a magnifying glass over the files to represent government transparency

In a functioning democracy, people should know what elected officials are up to. Otherwise, the government is not operating by the people, for the people. The ACLU of Massachusetts will always defend the public's right to hold the government accountable.

For example, we are fighting to make public records more accessible to Bay Staters.

The Latest

News & Commentary
A graphic showing the Massachusetts State House and a filing cabinet, signifying transparency

Public records help you hold your government accountable. We’re fighting to expand access.

We the People should have ongoing, direct access to documents that help us understand how our government works.
Press Release
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Massachusetts Court Blocks Religious Statues on Government Building in Quincy

Norfolk Superior Court granted a preliminary injunction blocking the planned installation of two large statues of Catholic saints outside the entrance of the new public safety headquarters in Quincy.
Issue Areas: Government Transparency, Freedom of Religion and Belief
Resource
Collage image with a blue background featuring the Massachusetts Statehouse, an individual in a yellow vest with a megaphone, two protestors, lady liberty, and a group of ACLU staff members.

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Press Release
Open Meeting 2

Legislative committee advances bill to modernize Open Meeting Law, guarantee hybrid meetings

In the wake of the pandemic, too many government bodies have reverted to in-person-only meetings, disenfranchising people with disabilities and others.
Issue Areas: Government Transparency
Court Case
June 17, 2026

ACLU of Massachusetts v. Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department

Court Case
January 27, 2026

Burnley v. U.S.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed suit to seek redress and accountability for extrajudicial killings pursuant to the Death on the High Seas Act and the Alien Tort Statute.
Court Case
May 9, 2023

ACLU of Massachusetts v. Office of the State Auditor

In May 2023, the ACLU of Massachusetts filed a public records lawsuit against the Office of the State Auditor for wrongfully withholding documents related to prisoner deaths and health care at the houses of correction in two counties.
Court Case
December 12, 2022

ACLU of Massachusetts v. Executive Office of Public Safety and Security et al.

The ACLU of Massachusetts, together with law firm Wolf Greenfield, filed a lawsuit against two Massachusetts agencies for failing to produce public records regarding the state’s use of automatic license plate reader (ALPR) technology.