O.P.E.N. Maine

OPEN Maine exists because too many people in our state are being ignored, dismissed, misled, or silenced when they seek truth, accountability, and fairness.
 

For years, communities across Maine have struggled with three major problems:
 

1 . People don’t know their rights.
 

Most Mainers have never been taught how to file a FOAA request, how to attend a town meeting, or how to hold local and state government accountable. OPEN Maine changes that by giving every person the tools and knowledge they deserve.
 

2 . Agencies delay, deny, or retaliate.
 

Public records are often withheld, ignored, or “lost.” People feel intimidated or powerless when they try to ask questions. OPEN Maine helps citizens stand confidently in their legal rights.
 

3 . Stories are being lost, hidden, or buried.
 

When people experience injustice, retaliation, or mistreatment, they don’t know where to go. Their voices disappear into silence. OPEN Maine is creating Maine’s first citizen-driven story archive — a safe, public place where experiences are preserved and heard.
 

OPEN Maine is being built to empower YOU.
 

Soon, you’ll be able to access:
 

• Easy FOAA request templates

• Town meeting tools & local engagement guides

• A statewide volunteer network

• A public archive of real stories from real people

• Educational videos on transparency, rights, and community power
   

OPEN Maine is the beginning of something bigger — a movement to open our state, strengthen our communities, and bring truth back into the light.