Public Information Act Request to Secretary of State John P. McDonough

August 6, 2008

Mr. John P. McDonough
Secretary of State
16 Francis Street
Annapolis, MD 21401

Dear Secretary McDonough:

As noted in our correspondence of July 30, 2008, Marylanders United to Stop Slots believes that you have a direct conflict of interest in overseeing the drafting of the slots ballot question. Therefore, we would like to request any and all documents and correspondence related to this matter, including any legal advice the agency may have received on this issue.

This is a request being made under the Maryland Public Information Act, State Government Article §§10-611 to 628. Specifically, I am requesting to inspect all records or correspondence in your custody and control pertaining to the following:

(A) The research, drafting, or legal review of the slots ballot language for the November ballot.

If all or any part of this request is denied, I request that I be provided with a written statement of the grounds for the denial. If you determine that some portions of the requested records are exempt from disclosure, please provide me with the portions that can be disclosed.

I will want copies of all of the records. Therefore, please advise me as to the cost, if any, for obtaining a copy of the records and the total cost, if any, for all the records described above. If you have adopted a fee schedule for obtaining copies of records and other rules or regulations implementing the Act, please send me a copy.

Given the importance of the constitutional amendment – and the time sensitive nature of it – I am asking that this request be expedited so that the voters of Maryland can make an independent judgment on whether your agency has acted impartially. Thank you for your cooperation.

If you have any questions regarding this request, please telephone me at the (301) 442-7157

Sincerely,

Scott Arceneaux
Senior Advisor, Marylanders United to Stop Slots