We've begun posting detailed data from electioneering communications filings on the ftp server - ec_exp_2010.csv or ec_exp_2010.txt. (We have some background on this activity and the reporting system.) We'll be posting this file on the same schedule we're using for independent expenditures - a new version at the start of each business day and another one late in the afternoon (eastern time).[Read More]
A quick note on disclosure of information from paper filings of Independent Expenditures
We are implementing a process for creating data from filings we receive on paper. As we implement this process, you'll see some filings that were actually received some time ago moving through the disclosure process now. For example, some Independent Expenditure reports submitted by party Senatorial committees last month (which file on paper. . .) are now beginning to appear in data feeds here - http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/indexp/1
Don't be confused by the "filing date" for these DSCC disclosures - they were actually submitted on paper in August and early September, as you can see here - http://images.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?C00042366
Update on the new "real time" disclosure of independent expenditures and electioneering communications.
We're still working on the full processes for creating data for all 24-hour and 48-hour filings for independent expenditures and electioneering communications, but while we continue to build the final process we wanted to start making data available as soon as possible.
[Read More]As we get ready to launch the new data files for independent expenditure and electioneering communication filings during the 2010 general election campaign, I thought it would be useful to talk a little about what we will be including in the files and some of the changes that may come during this campaign season.[Read More]
We've posted some historical tables on party committee financial activity on the website today. They summarize the first eighteen months of each election cycle since 1992, and provide some additional information about the 2009-2010 cycle for national party committees. We may add to these as more information is compiled from the most recent filings.
The reporting requirements for Electioneering Communications (the broadcast ads running within 30 days of a primary or 60 days of a general election that make reference to federal candidates but don't "expressly advocate" their election or defeat) are a little different than most everything else we see, so we're struggling with the best way to present the data.[Read More]
We've posted the 1,600 or so files of detailed candidate spending for 2010 campaigns, and they're now available via the data catalog.
[Read More]
For those of you who would like to get a jump on the release of detailed candidate disbursement data (scheduled for next Monday Tuesday the 11th) here is a link to the schema for the file. We're actually adding schemas for the other files in the catalog as well.
We've also updated the draft metadata page for disbursements with some changes that we've made in the last week or so.
Detailed candidate disbursement files should now be posted on May 11.[Read More]
We're working on the front end for detailed candidate disbursement files, and we'd like to get your feedback. Take a look at these screenshots and let us know what you think.[Read More]
At long last, we're getting ready to create the first set of data files containing detailed entries on campaign committee spending. We're planning to start with data for all 2009-2010 congressional campaigns (including Senate) with data covering the period from January 1, 2009. There have been a couple of problems in preparing these data, but we think we have an approach that can work now.[Read More]
We're working to provide disclosure of submissions for independent expenditures and electioneering communications we'll receive during the 2010 campaign that's quicker and easier to use. We have some challenges in working with this data so we're interested in your thoughts.[Read More]
We've added another file to the FEC Disclosure Data Catalog - this one summarizing financial activity for every committee (Campaign, PAC, Party, etc.) that files financial information with us.[Read More]
We're ready to start providing files in the data catalog that contain detailed information about the specific receipts and disbursements for candidates and committees.[Read More]
We've launched another file at data.fec.gov. This one contains information about Commission actions penalizing committees that have failed to file required financial reports or submitted reports after the filing deadline.
This program for "traffic ticket" like penalties was initiated by legislation enacted in 2000 that permitted a formula driven administrative process for assessing fines for failure to file on time. Information is available on the nearly 2,000 cases that have been completed since the program began.
The website also has more information about the program itself, including a calculator that shows how the elements in the formula for computing the penalties work.
The file for each closed case includes information about the committee and the report for which the penalty was assessed, the amount of the fine and information about the candidate if the violation was committeed by a campaign committee. As with all the files in our catalog, you can search through the material by clicking the "customize data" button and sorting the results as you like.
You can also take the data in either XML or CSV formats for further analysis. Be sure to look at the metadata page for more detailed information.
The goal of the program is to encourage committees to file their reports on time. A quick look at this file indicates to me that we're having the desired effect (fewer cases of late filing over the years), but the beauty of the files is that you can take a look for yourselves and draw your own conclusions.
