Michigan
implemented mandatory electronic filing
in 2004, raising its grade in that category
from an F to an A+, and its overall grade
from a C to a B. The state’s
campaign disclosure program is now among
the top six in the nation, with a particularly
strong showing in the area of Disclosure
Content Accessibility.
Michigan
law requires candidates to file one statement
in non-election years and one statement
eleven days before an election. Details
of all contributions must be disclosed,
including occupation and employer for contributions
above $100. Last-minute contributions
are required to be disclosed prior to an
election. Expenditures of $50 or
more are required to be disclosed, but
subvendor information is not reported. Independent
expenditures and last-minute independent
expenditures are also required to be disclosed
before an election. Electronic filing
is now mandatory for both statewide and
legislative candidates who reach a threshold
of $20,000.
Michigan
ranks second in the country (tied with
Rhode Island) for accessibility of campaign
finance records, and is one of only four
states that received full credit for
its searchable contribution and expenditure
databases. The databases are excellent
and contain some unique search capabilities,
including the ability to search for a range
of zip codes, and for a particular type
of get-out-the-vote activity expense. Reports
filed on paper – a number that is
dwindling with the new electronic filing
requirement – are available only
as images on the Secretary of State’s
web site and are not entered into the searchable
databases.
The
state’s Online Contextual and
Technical Usability grade jumped from a
D to a B- in 2004, largely due to a much-improved
usability testing score. Specific
improvements to the disclosure web site
include the addition of full contact information
for the Bureau of Elections and more complete
information about the state’s disclosure
requirements. A comprehensive list
of candidates and a good description of
which records are available online also
contribute to the high rank in this category. The
addition of current and historical overview
information showing total amounts raised
and spent by all state candidates would
further improve Michigan’s usability
grade.
