OPRAmachine
New Jersey's first statewide freedom of information platform
About OPRAmachine
OPRAmachine is New Jersey's first statewide freedom of information platform, designed to streamline public access to government records. Founded by Gavin Rozzi in 2018, the platform automates the process of submitting Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests to New Jersey government agencies.
The platform handles the entire lifecycle of public records requests—from submission through fulfillment and public disclosure. All requests and responses are published publicly, creating a searchable archive of government information that benefits everyone.
OPRAmachine has become essential infrastructure for open government in New Jersey, serving journalists, researchers, advocates, and everyday citizens. The platform is built on open-source infrastructure and is completely free to use.
Real-World Impact
Since 2018, OPRAmachine has streamlined public access to government records, helping government agencies respond efficiently while ensuring residents can access the information they need.
Investigative Journalism
Journalists across New Jersey use OPRAmachine to research stories on government spending, public safety, and local politics.
Academic Research
Researchers access municipal budgets, contracts, and policy documents to study local governance and public administration.
Legal Research
Attorneys and legal professionals access government records for compliance review, due diligence, and public interest research.
Public Engagement
Community members research their local governments, from school board spending to municipal contracts and public safety information.
How to Use OPRAmachine
Choose an Agency
Select from 565+ New Jersey government agencies, including municipalities, counties, school districts, and state agencies.
Describe Your Request
Write a clear description of the records you're seeking. Be specific about dates, names, and document types.
Submit & Track
OPRAmachine sends your request to the agency and tracks responses. You'll receive updates as your request is processed.
Access Records
When the agency responds, the records are published publicly and added to the searchable archive.
Press & Media Coverage
From Prompt to Public Service: Putting Advanced AI Use Cases into Production for Government Teams
Community of Practice for Public Evaluation and Research (CoPPER)
Jul 2025
talkIntroduction to the Power of GitHub for Analytics
Intelligent Informatics @ Bloustein - Rutgers University
Mar 2022
talkUsing Freedom of Information Laws to Enhance Academic Research
Drug Policy Alliance - Department of Research and Academic Engagement
Oct 2020
talkUsing OPRAmachine to file public records requests without the hassle
Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University
Aug 2018
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