One of the worst tasks in computer-assisted reporting is data entry. Yet doing data entry is usually the only way to do one of the best kind of stories: analysis of state and local campaign finance reports.
But, in the coming years, there is a chance that campaign finance stories may not have to rely on massive and time-consuming data entry projects.
Electronic filing of campaign finance reports has become a hot topic among state election officials and campaign finance reformers.
A recent report (soon to be updated) by the Center for Governmental Studies in Los Angeles reveals that all but four states are considering ways to encourage or require electronic filing.
And in July, 40 state election officials from more than a dozen states met to share questions and ideas about electronic filing and disclosure.
As outlined in the center's report, electronic filing and disclosure of campaign contributions and expenses can streamline administrative costs, permit faster reporting on the information and aid the public in making better decisions during elections.
For journalists, electronic filing and disclosure through diskette or through World Wide Web sites would allow dozens of timely and meaningful stories during an election, rather than afterward.
There already is progress in some states. While the systems are not perfect, here is a list of some of their efforts:
Hawaii has implemented electronic filing of campaign finance reports and is in the process of upgrading its system. The Hawaii system visually mimics the state's paper forms. It provides diagnostics, including spell checking. And it supplies housekeeping functions, such as generating letters notifying filers of missed deadlines. Iowa has developed an electronic filing system and expects voluntary filing to begin in August. The first reports expected to be available are PAC filings in October and candidate committee filings in January. Michigan permits electronic filing, but has not developed filing software. Twenty-two states have pending statutory legislation for electronic filing. Among those already considering how to start their own systems are Michigan, Missouri, Oklahoma, New Jersey, Illinois and Ohio.
What's missing
Although steps have been made, we are concerned about moves not to disclose street addresses or to restrict information electronically that can be obtained on hard copy.
For example, California has voted to omit contributors' street addresses from data that it puts on the Web and is debating whether to omit cities as well — decisions that will make it impossible to clearly identify multiple contributions by the same individual.
IRE and NICAR are pushing for electronic filing and have the ear of election officials who are trying to come up with standardized reports and coding for electronic filing.
With help of a two-year grant from the Joyce Foundation, located in Chicago, IRE and NICAR have begun the Campaign Finance Information Center.
The center, which is just getting started, plans to be a repository for federal, state and local campaign finance data and to help journalists analyze that data.
We already are reviewing the electronic filing issues with state officials and campaign finance groups, representing the interests and needs of journalists.
In September, we plan to attend a larger conference of election officials where we will push hard for meaningful changes.
Let us know by e-mailing jo@nicar.org and brant@ire.org what we need to do and any news of what your state or local government is doing.
To get a copy of the Center for Governmental Studies report, write to Craig Holman, Project manager, National Resource Center, 10951 W. Pico Blvd., First Floor, Angeles, Calif. 90064.
To get a copy of the COGEL study surveying 39 states regarding the conversion from paper filing to electronic filing, write to Charles G. Lamb, executive director, Missouri Ethics Commission, 221 Metro, Jefferson City, Mo. 65109
As part of the campaign finance project, IRE and NICAR will develop a Web page with tips from reporters, examples of stories and data for state and federal races. If you have additional suggestions of items that should be on the page, send e-mail to jo@nicar.org or jody@nicar.org
Brant Houston can be reached at (573) 882-0684, or send e-mail to brant@ire.org