IT’S YOUR RIGHT

Public records: You have the right to public records in accordance with New York state’s Freedom of Information Law. An official’s refusal to reply to a request and to make public records available can be challenged under the law. Requests for existing records can be made by email or regular mail. Within five working days, you should receive a response, which should be either the requested information, an estimate of when the records will be available, or a denial, which can be appealed. New York has a commission on open government within the Department of State. It is called the State Committee on Open Government. For more information, call the State Committee on Open Government at 474-2518. Details about the law, opinions on cases, samples of requests and advice on submitting requests are available at www.dos.ny.gov. coog. Public meetings: It is your right to participate in public meetings, and governmental bodies and public schools in New York state are required to let the public know when meetings are going to occur. The state Open Meetings Law requires government bodies to give advance notice of their meetings and to allow the public to sit in, although there is no requirement allowing the public to speak. Matters pertaining to personnel, litigation or negotiations may be discussed in closed session. But the decision to hold those discussions must be voted in open session, and any votes taken on the matters decided in closed session must take place during the public portion of the meeting. For more information, call the State Committee on Open Government, at 474-2518. Learn more about the requirements of the law, including when closed meetings are permitted and how to object to closed meetings, at www.dos.ny. gov.coog. Vote: You are eligible to vote if you are 18 years old and a U.S. citizen. To be eligible to vote in government general elections, register through the Saratoga County Board of Elections. You can be registered to vote without enrolling in any political party. However, to vote in a primary, you must be enrolled as a member of that particular party. For more information about deadlines and registration procedures in Saratoga County, call 885-2249 or visit www.saratogacountyny.gov/departments.asp?did=22