OCTOBER 17, 2007

Michigan ranks sixth among states with the nation's strongest campaign finance disclosure programs, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land announced, citing a comprehensive report released today.

Grading State Disclosure 2007 is the fourth nationwide assessment of state-level campaign finance disclosure programs and practices. Michigan achieved the sixth overall ranking by placing within the top 10 in three of the study's four categories. Michigan's grade improves to a "B" this year, up from the "B minus" in 2005, the last year that the study was done.

"The funding of political campaigns must be an open process," Land said. "That's why we're working hard to put more information in the hands of voters. I'm proud of Michigan's accomplishments and it's gratifying to see that our initiatives are validated nationally. But we're not done yet. There are other steps that our state must take. Working together, we'll preserve the integrity of Michigan's elections by ensuring even greater openness and accountability in campaign finance disclosure."

The report evaluates states based on their campaign disclosure laws, electronic filing programs, accessibility of campaign finance information and the usability of disclosure Web sites.

In reviewing Michigan the report cited:

• Land's 2006 plan to improve campaign finance disclosure, which calls for better tools to help voters track contributions such as real-time campaign finance reporting.
• The Department of State's implementation of a program that allows for the electronic filing of last-minute contributions. The study gives Michigan an "A plus" in its electronic filing category and calls Michigan's electronic filing program "among the best in the nation."
• Enhancements to the department's Web site, which again earn Michigan an "A" in the study's Disclosure Content Accessibility category. The report says that Michigan's contribution and expenditure databases can "serve as a model" for other states.

Thirty-six states earn passing grades while 14 others fail to meet the report's criteria for a satisfactory campaign disclosure program. Assessments are based on research of state laws as of December 2006.

The report is prepared by the Campaign Disclosure Project, which is a collaboration of the University of California at Los Angeles School of Law, the Center for Governmental Studies and the California Voter Foundation.

For more information about elections and campaign finance in Michigan, visit the department's Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos.

The Grading State Disclosure report is available at www.campaigndisclosure.org.

Related Link
>  SOS - Elections in Michigan - Campaign Finance Disclosure