Residents of five Southeastern states are generally unaware of Sunshine Laws in their states that make public documents, records, information and meetings available and accessible to citizens, a recent Elon University poll finds. The survey was conducted in advance of the national celebration of Sunshine Week, March 11-18. Details...
The poll, conducted Feb. 18-22 by the Elon University Institute for Politics and Public Affairs, surveyed 719 residents in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7 percent. The Sunshine Center of the North Carolina Open Government Coalition will present the poll data during Sunshine Day activities at Elon’s School of Communications on March 15.
When asked the importance of citizens having access to public documents, records, information, and meetings, 57 percent felt it was very important and 35 percent felt it was somewhat important.
Seventy-two percent of those surveyed believe citizen access to public documents, records, information, and meetings does influence government operations, while 19 percent said it does not. Eighty percent said open records and meetings keep government operations honest.
Eighty-six percent of individuals polled felt that democracy works best when government operates openly.
Fifteen percent of those polled said their state and local government was always available and accessible to them, while 7 percent felt that the federal government was always available and accessible.
Fifty-three percent of those polled agree or strongly agree that government needs to be able to keep records and meeting secret if necessary; 40 percent disagree or strongly disagree. Seventy-nine percent agree or strongly agree that some public records and meetings should be kept secret if it helps the war on terrorism, while 17 percent disagree or strongly disagree.
Forty-four percent of citizens said they have a lot of interest in the activities of state and local governments, while 43 percent said they have some interest. Twelve percent said they have little or no interest in the activities of state and local governments.
Elon University’s School of Communications will host a seminar as part of educational efforts by the Sunshine Center of the North Carolina Open Government Coalition. The activities, which will be held Thursday, March 15, include discussion of how well the open government laws are working in the state and public awareness of access and availability of open records and public meetings. More details about the day can be found by visiting www.ncopengov.org.