For reporters and researchers
The local government record, for your story or study
Everything Hamlet publishes is free to read and cite. For deeper data, request press and research access.
What you can use
Free to use, and more on request
Free for your work
Search (the first 40 results), every place, the officials directory, each meeting’s published excerpts and the top 10 of every ranked list. Cite any of it by its link.
With press and research access
Deeper data for your story, study or course. Tell us about the work you’re doing, and we’ll reply.
Press and research access is separate from Hamlet for business, our paid service.
Cite a record
Link to the source, every time
Places and meetings each have a permanent address on Hamlet.
Quotes
A quote opens the official meeting video at the second it was said.
Agendas
A meeting links the official agenda it followed, where we have it.
Hamlet’s published excerpts are officials’ remarks only, and we don’t identify public commenters on request.
Check the numbers
Rankings
Rankings compare governments of the same kind, and the page says how they’re counted.
Officials
Look up a council member or county commissioner by name, with their role, body and place.
Coverage
Before you compare places, confirm each one is in the record.
Corrections
Tell us when something is wrong
Send it through our support form, with a link to the record.
Request access
Tell us about your story, study or course, and we’ll reply by email.
This is also the place for questions about a record or interview requests.
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