Reliability and Quality of Data

The information presented in the Campaign Finance Reporting Database is, to the best of our ability, an accurate representation of the campaign statements filed with the Bureau of Elections.  As a service to our public, the information has been processed by the Bureau and provided to you in as timely manner as possible.

Some of the information in the database was filed electronically by the committees.  Most of the information was key entered from the original campaign statements filed by the committees.  When the information is filed electronically, all of the information submitted by the committee is made available.  When the information is key entered by the Bureau, certain information may not be available.

As you are querying the data and viewing the results, you may find items which are inconsistent with filing requirements, such blank items or incorrect data.  It is likely that they are incorrect or missing in the database because they were incorrect or missing on the reports submitted to the Bureau.  However, it is recommended that the information be cross-referenced with the original campaign statement on file with the Bureau.  Committees may also have filed amendments or updates to their campaign statements which are not reflected in the database.

Database

By Michigan law, candidates and committees are required to disclose detailed financial records of contributions received and expenditures made by the committee.  The Campaign Finance Reporting database contains contributions and expenditures reported to the Bureau starting from January 1, 1997.

Information about 1994-1996 contributions and expenditures is available on diskette from the Bureau.  Information concerning contribution and expenditures is not available on-line for elections before 1997.

Records Available

Candidate for statewide office, i.e. Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Supreme court Justice.  Candidates for state legislative office, i.e. State Senate and State house of Representatives.  Candidates for judicial office.  For these committees, all data that was filed electronically by the committee is available.  Data key entered by the Bureau consists of individual receipt records which are $100.00 or more and Summary Page data.

PAC's and legislative caucus committees, i.e groups of who join together with the purpose to influence our elections and which accepts contributions or makes expenditures that exceed $500 during any calendar year.  For these committees, the data consists of individual expenditure records and the Summary Page data.

For all committees, (Candidate, PAC, Ballot Question and Political Party), the Statement of Organization information is available.  The Statement of Organization information gives organizational information about the committee, i.e. the address information, treasurer information, etc.

Data is also available in other formats directly from the Bureau.

Timeliness of Data

Campaign finance reports are posted to the database as they are received from the candidate and committees.  Our goal is to have all Summary Page data keyed for all Candidate Committees and PAC's within two days of receiving the campaign statement.  Our data is as current as possible.  We will make every effort to key the information for candidates and committees that file paper reports in a timely manner.  Candidate and committees that file electronically will have reports available with 24 hours of receipt at the Bureau

Using the Database

The database and its query screens have been designed to be self-explanatory and to allow use without prior knowledge of campaign finance law.  Directions for specific parts of the system are found on the respective pages.

The begin your search, click on the appropriate category below:

·        Search by All Committees

·        Search by Expenditures Analysis

·        Search by Contributions Analysis

·        Search by Ballot Question Committee

·        Search by Candidate Committee

·        Search by Political Party Committee

·        Search by Independent/Political (PAC) Committee

·        Search by Gubernatorial Committee

·        Search for Late Contributions