The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) said the new Web-based, electronic form will enable the public to quickly file complaints in the run up to the election, and save staff time in the Enforcement Division that was once dedicated to entering the forms manually.
The new electronic form is optimized for mobile devices and built on a customized Salesforce platform, enforcement chief Galena West said Wednesday during a conference call with the media.
"If you see a campaign sign that you want to report, you take a picture, you fill out the form and you upload the picture to the system from your phone," West said.
FPPC receives more than 2,000 complaints and referrals each year.
FPPC business and technical staff worked on the Electronic Complaint System with vendor Virteva. The complaint form will be fully integrated into the Enforcement Division's case management system, enabling improved access to case status and resolution information, and other publicly accessible data.
"While I understand it may be hard to get enthusiastic about a complaint form, let me stress this is not just about the form. This is about transforming the way we do business at the agency," FPPC chair Jodi Remke said.
Remke mentioned the commission is in the process of finalizing a new e-filing system for Form 700 submissions, allowing 25,000 public officials in California to file electronically. FPPC also is revising the Political Reform Act to streamline the law and put it in plain language, she added.
FPPC summarizes what constitutes a violation of the Political Reform Act:
- Financial conflicts of interest
- Campaign money laundering
- Over-the-limit gifts and contributions
- Improper use of campaign funds, including personal use
- Campaign mass mailings at public expense
- False, inadequate, or inaccurate reporting on statements of economic interests, campaign statements and reports
- Non-filing or late filing of such statements and reports
- Anonymous or cash contributions of $100 or more
