State Campaign Finance Reports Go Mobile
LANSING -- The transparency of Michigan state campaign finances went up a notch Thursday as a new free iPhone app, Michigan Campaign Finance Search, launched.
The new app provides mobile access to all electronically filed campaign finance information for all state offices and state political committees. It also provides quick access to contributor information, all on the go.
Available free at the Apple App Store, the app offers a simple search to find state candidates committees and contributors.
The Michigan CFS displays the latest available information, including committee type, reporting waiver status, office sought, district sought, and election period. The application also includes financial data such as money and in-kind contributions received, expenditures, and debt owed. A list of all contributors and the amounts contributed is also available.
"Transparency into campaign finances is an important part of the election process," said Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson. "This application is a great tool to help provide that transparency to Michigan's citizens."
The new iPhone application also includes an Advanced Search page giving users access to all electronically filed election finance data. Electronic filing has been mandatory in Michigan since 2004. Users can select options for election period, committee type, committee status, office sought, and party affiliation to enhance a search.
"We are delighted to support Michigan Secretary of State's initiative to provide citizens quick and convenient access to government information," said Randall Bartlett, President of NIC Technologies. "This app will provide mobile 'ringside seat' access for current information on state candidates in the upcoming 2012 election."
The Michigan CFS app is developed and managed by NIC Technologies LLC, part of e-government firm NIC Inc.'s (NASDAQ: EGOV) family of companies. NIC Technologies also provides an iPhone application "FEC CF$" that provides similar election finance data at the federal level. NIC Technologies develops and maintains systems developed for the Michigan Bureau of Elections that support electronic filing and disclosure for state campaign finance information. NIC is based in Olathe, Kan.
