After the initial FOIA request comes the appeal. Don’t like your fee category? Never heard back from the agency? Or, if you did, were redactions where they didn’t belong? There are a few reasons a requester might want to appeal an agency’s response to a request, and before taking the matter to court, the administrative appeal can be a useful tool in prying more materials out of the government.

Check out the language of this year’s competition by visiting one of the requests associated with this project page. Stay on top of an agency’s response by following the request; you’ll receive updates each time we hear something back. And be sure to check back for the completed materials to learn how to file a more successful appeal.

C.R.E.A.M.

Bring Da Ruckus

Protect Ya Neck

Thrift Shop

Want to play? All you have to do is choose your winner for each bracket category and one overall winner for the tournament. Submit your picks in the form below.