The Maine Freedom of Information Coalition sent a letter to every candidate for the legislature and Governor in 2010 seeking a pledge of support for open government.

Fundamental to democracy is freedom of speech, open meetings of government and access to public records. Mainers have a long history of open government with many towns still holding annual town meetings where open debate and discussion are celebrated.

Mainers also recognized that with change and growth, the long traditions of openness needed protection in law and, in 1959; the Legislature enacted a st rong freedom of access law setting forth in its first sentences the high importance Mainers place on open government.

The Legislature finds and declares that public proceedings exist to aid in the conduct of the people's business. It is the intent of the Legislature that their actions be taken openly and that the records of their actions be open to public inspection and their deliberations be conducted openly.

Maine Freedom of Information Coalition

Open Government Pledge

Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement of any candidate by the MFOIC. But, we do very much appreciate the commitment of these candidates to uphold the public' s right to open government.

The following is the list of candidates for Governor that have signed the pledge.

Here is the list of candiates that have signed the pledges by Senate or House District: