Campaign Finance E-Filing Systems in Model States

ALC/Electronic Filing Systems for Campaign and Finance Reports Subcommittee

Prepared by the Bureau of Legislative ResearchDecember 14, 2015

Section 14 of Act 1280 of 2015:(c) The study shall include without limitation: (1) Review of pertinent electronic filing systems utilized

by other states;(2) A demonstration of electronic filing software systems by competent vendors in the field;(3) An evaluation of features that facilitate public access to electronically filed reports and statements and the searching of data contained therein;(4) An evaluation of programs that train public officials in the use of electronic filing systems;(5) An analysis of the costs to purchase, install, and test electronic filing systems; and(6) Appropriate timelines for the implementation of electronic filing systems.

E-Filing Benefits for Candidates• Intuitive user interface• Alerts candidates about data input errors• Email reminders about deadlines &

requirements• Comprehensive training in person or

online• Adequate tech support• Coordination between Secretary of State,

ethics commission, and other relevant agencies

E-Filing Benefits for General Public• Increased transparency• Searchable by candidate, expenditures, contributions, or PACs. •Downloadable as CSV/ spreadsheet.• Custom reports by localities, years, etc.

States with Robust E-Filing Systems

AlabamaCaliforniaDelaware

Hawaii

IowaMaryland

North DakotaOhio

Tennessee

E-Filing Systems in a Sample of 4 States

1.Tennessee2.Alabama3.California4.Hawaii

Tennessee•Tennessee Registry of Election Finance, Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance: https://apps.tn.gov/tncamp

•Mandatory e-filing for candidates who have raised/spent more than $1,000; all others may file an "In-Kind" statement.

Alabama•Alabama Secretary of State: http://

fcpa.alabamavotes.gov/PublicSite/Homepage.aspx•Mandatory e-filing (with some exceptions)

California•California Secretary of State’s Office:

• http://www.sos.ca.gov/campaign-lobbying/electronic-filing-information

•Mandatory e-filing, with exceptions (i.e., for candidates who raised less than $25K)

•Can use free Cal-Access system or own vendor

• http://cal-access.sos.ca.gov•Caveat: “The results provided by Power

Search may be limited by the quality of the data provided by filers.”

Hawaii•Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission:▫ http://ags.hawaii.gov/campaign/cc/

•Mandatory e-filing, with exceptions•Training resources:

▫ http://ags.hawaii.gov/campaign/cc/candidate-filing-system