Government corruption at the state level has flourished — and has often gone unchecked thanks to the decline in local journalism and the urgency of addressing federal misconduct. With one party controlling the governorship and both legislative houses in more than half of the states, feeble checks on power combined with underutilized state open records laws have allowed state and local governments to avoid the same scrutiny devoted to federal agencies. American Oversight’s State Accountability Project is filling the void, channeling its expertise in open records litigation to expose state-level corruption and threats to democracy.

Open Records Request to Hancock County Elections Supervisor seeking communications with public figures and activists, such as former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who have prominently claimed that voter fraud is widespread and advocated for restrictions on voting.

The Florida House of Representatives stated that it had no records of communications between state Representative James Grant, other state officials, and public figures such as former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, regarding voter fraud, voting rights, or elections. 

Records from the Florida State Legislature showing communications of staffers on Florida’s House State Affairs Committee and Criminal Justice Subcommittee with the Florida Department of State’s Leg. Affairs Director.

Tarrant County, Texas, stated that it had no records of communications with a list of advocates for more restrictive voting laws.

Records from the Leon County Supervisor of Elections of communications regarding public figures and activists, such as former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who have prominently claimed that voter fraud is widespread and advocated for restrictions on voting.

Records from the Clayton County Elections and Registration concerning the National Voter Registration Act for Clayton County, Georgia. American Oversight sought these records to shed light on communications between public figures and activists, such as former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who have prominently claimed that voter fraud is widespread and advocated for restrictions on voting.

No records response from the Jefferson County, Georgia, Board of Elections regarding communications with a list of groups advocating for tighter voting restrictions.

Open Records Request to Georgia Secretary of State seeking communications regarding counties' efforts to consolidate or close precincts.

Elections officials of Hendry County, Florida state that they have no records responsive to American Oversight's FOIA request regarding communications with voter fraud activists.