Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) Assistance
Let's work smarter, not harder!
Using Artificial Intelligence to generate a Freedom of Information Act request. It isn't as difficult as you think!
How to Use ChatGPT or Google Gemini to Write a FOIA Request
Why Should I Care About FOIA? Because when the government builds something weird near your land, raises your taxes, or makes decisions behind closed doors, you have the right to know what's going on. FOIA—the Freedom of Information Act—is your legal flashlight into their filing cabinets.
If something smells fishy in your county, this is how you go fishin’ for the truth.
Tools /Information You’ll Need To Get Started:
A computer or smartphone with an internet connection (dial-up might test your patience, but it’ll do in a pinch).
A word processor (like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or even plain old Notepad) — handy if you want to copy and “tweak” the letter on your own terms.
Access to ChatGPT — it’s a website, not something you have to install. Just head to https://chat.openai.com in your internet browser. (If you prefer an app, you can also download the ChatGPT app from your phone’s app store.) OR
Access to Google Gemini — also a website: go to https://gemini.google.com. (And yep, there’s an app version too, available on most smartphones if you like tappin' instead of typin'.)
Pertinent information about the issue or project — for example:
What the development is called (e.g., “Prairie Hills Solar Farm”)
Where it’s located (e.g., “near County Road 12, just south of the co-op”)
The name of the government agency or office you’re sending the request to.
(County commissioners? State environmental agency? Department of transportation?)Their contact info — email, mailing address, fax, or online portal—whatever method they accept. (below I will help you do this easy-peasy)
Your contact info, including:
Your name
Your email address (so they can send the info to you)
A mailing address, if needed
Your telephone number
Just a little patience — these things take time, and sometimes a follow-up or two. Don’t let a slow reply make you think your request doesn’t matter. It does.
A Note About ChatGPT & Gemini:
Both ChatGPT and Gemini are free to use, but with a few quirks worth knowin’:
You’ll need to log in with a Google or OpenAI account.
The free versions may limit how many questions you can ask per day, especially if you start gettin’ curious and askin’ about every suspicious county deal since the Reagan administration.
Sometimes they’ll get a little overwhelmed and ask you to come back later or upgrade. Just like the DMV, but you can wear your slippers.
And this—dear reader—is why we wrote this little article in the first place.
Because these fancy-pants AIs can be mighty helpful, but they don’t come with instructions your grandkid could explain over breakfast. And we know you don’t have all day to be fussin’ with buttons, prompts, and techno-jargon.
So, we made this guide to help you get where you’re going without needing a PhD or a panic attack. Whether that’s sniffin’ out land deals, chasing down environmental reports, or just wanting to know who approved that concrete plant next to your cornfield—we want you to be able to cut straight to the part where you send that FOIA request and get answers.
Think of this as your cheat sheet. Your AI saddle. Your FOIA fence-post map. We’re here to help you get there quick and painlessly—no different than a shortcut through the back 40.
Here is the nuts and bolts of the prompt you want to enter into ChatGPT or Google Gemini (yes, everything between the dotted lines):
Acting as an expert on the Freedom of Information Act, both federally and in my state, as well as an expert in political engagement, then compose a professional and polite Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or public records requesting a letter that I can send to [INSERT AGENCY NAME, like 'the Smith County Board of Commissioners' or 'the Ohio Department of Natural Resources'] (research agency’s name and obtain mailing address) regarding [INSERT PROJECT OR ISSUE, like 'the proposed wind farm near County Road 8'] between [START DATE] and [END DATE or 'today'].
I want the request to cover all relevant records, [INSERT TOPIC – be specific. A request like I want “everything” associated with XXX Solar is a no-no]. Please include a request for digital copies of records if available.
IMPORTANT: Research and cite any applicable state-level public records laws, not just the federal FOIA. For example, cite specific sections of my state’s codes, ordinances, regulations, Open Records or Sunshine Laws and cite in the request.
Keep the tone professional but accessible—something a small-town official would understand and respect. Avoid legalese. Assume the reader is a government employee who may or may not want to help.
Also, include a brief paragraph requesting that if any part of the request is denied, the agency should provide a written explanation citing the exemption(s) used. Close the letter with a thank you and include my contact info [INSERT CONTACT INFO].”
Here is an example “prompt” to input into ChatGPT or Google Gemini with the information you need to fill in:
“Acting as an expert on the Freedom of Information Act, both federally and in my state, as well as an expert in political engagement, then compose a professional and polite Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or public records requesting a letter that I can send to The Shawnee Township Board of Trustees, Allen County, Ohio (research agency’s name and obtain mailing address) regarding Big Money Suck Solar Project between 2000 and today.
I want the request to cover all relevant records, regarding phone records, emails from Big Money Suck Solar Project sent to all Township employees, and emails from all Township employees to Money Suck Solar Project between the year 2000 and today. Please include a request for digital copies of records if available.
IMPORTANT: Research and cite any applicable state-level public records laws, not just the federal FOIA. For example, cite specific sections of my state’s codes, ordinances, regulations, Open Records or Sunshine Laws and cite in the request.
Keep the tone professional but accessible—something a small-town official would understand and respect. Avoid legalese. Assume the reader is a government employee who may or may not want to help.
Also, include a brief paragraph requesting that if any part of the request is denied, the agency should provide a written explanation citing the exemption(s) used. Close the letter with a thank you and include my contact info JW Thompson, 1313 Mockingbird Lane, Springfield, Florida 45000.”
And less than 5 seconds later, here is the letter ChatGPT kicked back to me:
JW Thompson
1313 Mockingbird Lane
Springfield, Florida 45000
[Email Address – optional]
[Phone Number – optional]
June 6, 2025
Shawnee Township Board of Trustees
2530 Fort Amanda Road
Lima, Ohio 45804
Subject: Public Records Request – Big Money Suck Solar Project Communications (2000–Present)
Dear Trustees,
I hope this message finds you well. Pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act, codified in Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Section 149.43, I am respectfully requesting access to public records related to the Big Money Suck Solar Project.
Specifically, I am seeking the following records generated between January 1, 2000, and the present date:
All emails sent from representatives of the Big Money Suck Solar Project to any Shawnee Township employee or official.
All emails sent from any Shawnee Township employee or official to representatives of the Big Money Suck Solar Project.
All phone records or logs documenting communications between Shawnee Township officials or employees and representatives of the Big Money Suck Solar Project.
If available, I kindly request that these records be provided in digital format, such as PDF files or native email formats.
I understand that under ORC Section 149.43(B)(1), public offices are required to make records available promptly. If any portion of this request is denied, please provide a written explanation citing the specific legal exemption(s) under ORC Sections 149.43(A)(1) or 149.43(B)(3) that justify the denial.
Should there be any costs associated with fulfilling this request, please inform me in advance if the total exceeds $25, as stipulated in ORC Section 149.43(B)(7).
Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your service to the community. I appreciate your assistance in promoting transparency and accountability in local governance.
Sincerely,
JW Thompson
1313 Mockingbird Lane
Springfield, Florida 45000
This is 100% what the AI provided me. I did not have to look up the Township’s address, the pertinent portions of the Ohio Revised Code… nadda, nothing, zip, zero. It can be this easy!
Next Steps: What to Do After ChatGPT Gives You Your FOIA Letter
Now that you’ve got your shiny new FOIA request letter from ChatGPT (or Google Gemini), here’s what you can do with it:
📝 Step 1: Copy and Paste the Letter into a Word Processor (Optional)
If you’d like to edit, customize, or add some neighborly flair to your letter before sending it, you can copy and paste the text into one of the following programs:
Microsoft Word
Google Docs
Notepad
Apple Pages
LibreOffice (for our open-source-loving folks)
💡 This gives you full control over formatting, spell-checking, or printing it out if you want to mail it the old-fashioned way.
📧 Step 2: Or Just Paste It Right Into an Email
If the letter looks good to you as-is (or close enough), you can also copy and paste it straight into an email. Tweak what you want right in the message, add your contact info, and hit send.
🖱️ Step 3: How to Copy and Paste (If You’re Not Sure)
On a PC (Windows):
Highlight the text you want to copy.
Press Ctrl + C to copy.
Open your email or word processor and press Ctrl + V to paste.
On a Mac:
Highlight the text.
Press Command (⌘) + C to copy.
Press Command (⌘) + V to paste.
On an iPhone or iPad:
Tap and hold on the text until you see a “Copy” option.
ap Copy.
Go to your email or notes app, tap and hold in the message body, and tap Paste.
On an Android phone:
Tap and hold the text until you see selection handles.
Adjust as needed, then tap Copy from the popup.
Go to your email app, tap and hold in the message body, and tap Paste.
🕵️♂️ Step 4: Don’t Know Where to Send It? Just Ask ChatGPT
If you're not sure what email address to use, you can have ChatGPT or Gemini help you out by asking:
“Acting as an expert in research, scour the internet and provide me the email address for [INSERT AGENCY NAME HERE – ie. Shawnee Township Board of Trustees, Shawnee Township, Allen County, Ohio].”
You can try inserting specific names of township officials if you know them, but agencies often use generic addresses like admin@township.gov or trustees@shawneetownship.org, which are better for formal requests.
And less than 5 seconds later, here is the Township Information ChatGPT kicked back to me:
You can send your request to: Shawnee Township Trustees, 2530 Fort Amanda Road, Lima, Ohio 45804. For email inquiries, try contacting the administrative office at info@shawneetownship.com or check their official website: http://shawneetownship.com
Final Note: It’s Just That Easy!
That’s it, folks — it really is just that easy. Spooky scary and easy all in one swoop!
From typing your prompt into ChatGPT, copying your letter, tweaking it if you feel like it, and sending it off to the right folks — the whole thing usually takes 5 to 10 minutes, tops.
👉 It might take a little longer the first time, especially if you’re using this cheat sheet for the first time. But once you’ve done it once, you’ll be a freedom-of-information wrangler in no time.
You don’t need a law degree. You don’t need permission.
You just need curiosity, a little persistence, and this guide.
And if you’ve been told that using AI is somehow wrong, unethical, or “cheating the system” — here’s something to keep in mind:
The developers and renewable energy corporations you’re trying to hold accountable have entire teams of lawyers, public relations staff, paid advocates, and consultants — resources most rural residents and small communities can’t even dream of affording.
This technology?
It simply helps to level the playing field.
So, go ahead and use it. Ask the hard questions. Demand the records. Shine some light where it’s needed.
