(Additional statutes, regulations & opinions may apply to your specific situation.)
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Sample Records Request
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_____________________________________________________________
RECIPIENT NAME
AGENCY
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE
ZIP
DATE
Dear MX. XXXXX,
This is to request, under the state's Open Records Law (19.31-39, Wisconsin Statutes), a copy of the [BE SPECIFIC ABOUT THE RECORDS YOU SEEK]
Wisconsin's Open Records Law states, in relevant part:
"In recognition of the fact that a representative government is dependent upon an informed electorate, it is declared to be the public policy of this state that all persons are entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of the government and the official acts of those officers and employees who represent them. Further, providing persons with such information is declared to be an essential function of a representative government and an integral part of the routine duties of officers and employees whose responsibility and duty is to provide such information."
The law continues,
"To that end [the Open Records Law] shall be construed in every instance with the presumption of complete public access consistent with the conduct of governmental business. The denial of access generally is contrary to the public interest and only in exceptional cases can access be denied."
If my request is denied, please do so in writing and state what part of the law you believe entities you to do so, and advise me of the process through which I may appeal. The law states that you may charge for "the actual, necessary and direct cost" of locating records, if this exceeds $50, and for photocopies; please advise me before processing this request if the total cost will exceed $[SPECIFY DOLLAR AMOUNT].
As you know, the law requires you to respond to this request "as soon as practicable and without delay."
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
YOUR TITLE
______________________________________________________________
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if you do not know them), and a general description of the event/situation is not sufficient for the agency to determine what info you are asking for, they are rerquired to ask you to clarify to help them find the info you want.