Campaign finance software updates designed to make filing easier

NOVEMBER 15, 2012

Candidate committees to experience simpler data entry

LANSING, Mich. – One area of Michigan's campaign finance software is sporting a fresh new look and an easier-to-use design, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson announced today.

The Michigan Electronic Reporting and Tracking System (MERTS) allows state-level committees to file required campaign finance statements electronically over the Internet or other removable media such as a flash drive or CD. Campaign finance statements often include details on money contributed, funds spent and debt owed.

The new candidate committee section of MERTS features an easier-to-use data entry screen, easier access to the user guide and instructional videos, new icons and fresh colors. Other sections, such as those for political action committees, will be updated in the near future.

"This fantastic program continues to grow and adapt to the changing needs of today's candidates," Johnson said. "New filers in particular will find the updated program more user-friendly."

MERTS users are welcome to download the new software or continue using the previous software until the end of the calendar year. New MERTS users will receive the new version when they download the program.

People with devices running the Apple iOS or the Android operating systems also can download the Michigan Campaign Finance Search application, believed to be the first state app of its kind in the country. It allows users to search for records by the names of state candidates and committees as well as by election period, party affiliation, committee type and the office being sought. The application displays direct and in-kind contributions received, expenditures and debt owed.

Additional campaign finance information can be found at www.michigan.gov/elections.

For more information about voting and the Secretary of State's Office, visit www.michigan.gov/sos. Sign up for the official Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/michsos and Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/michigansos.

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