Secretary of State Debra Bowen has decided to post campaign finance data online in a raw, downloadable format after being lobbied by a coalition of research, advocacy and news organizations. Initially, she declined the group’s request last month saying it was not feasible to redact personal information, such as the home addresses of campaign contributors, in data to be posted daily, according to an Associated Press report.
In April, the coalition requested Bowen to change the way the public is able to tap into the state’s Cal-Access database to enhance the tracking of campaign finance funding. Cal-Access currently allows users to search categories of information that are posted in spreadsheets. The raw database, which allows users to manipulate and compare data, is available by requesting a CD-ROM which costs $5.
After meeting with coalition members, Bowen determined that the agency would be able post the data daily in a new format to meet their request, said spokesperson Shannan Velayas.
“Californians have been able to track campaign and lobbying dollars online 24 hours a day for years using the Secretary of State’s Cal-Access database,” Bowen said in an emailed statement. “Once the raw format of the data is also available daily through our website, anyone with the technological expertise can write their own tracking program.”
