The Michigan Supreme Court says a progressive group is allowed to seek e-mails sent from private accounts of aides to then-Attorney General Bill Schuette.
The decision will make it harder for public officials to drag out responses and use technicalities to deny requests.
Lonnie Scott of Progress Michigan says the decision also makes clear that private accounts cannot be used to shield communications and activities from public view.
“We believe the public has a right to know what was in them and why Bill Schuette’s staff were using their private e-mail accounts to conduct state business,” said Scott.
In some cases, Scott says, the emails could show public resources being devoted to political work.
Schuette, a Republican, lost the 2018 governor’s race to Governor Gretchen Whitmer.