FEC Introduces Online Map to Track Presidential Campaign Contributions
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) now has a new, interactive map on its web site (http://www.fec.gov) that displays individual contributions to the 2008 Presidential candidates. With a simple click of the mouse, a user can highlight on the map the amount of money raised on a state-by-state basis. Users also have the option of viewing contributions to specific candidates, all candidates or all candidates from a political party. The map conveniently displays the total contributions to each candidate, along with their cash on hand and the distribution of their contributions by amount.
Users may select to view contributions in specific states. The map lists contributors by name, city, amounts of donations and dates within the first three digits of their zip code. These lists can be sorted and downloaded to a spreadsheet format.
The map represents another step by the FEC to share campaign finance information with the public. The FEC map will be updated within one day of the agency’s receipt of electronically-filed Presidential disclosure reports. The next Presidential campaign finance reports must be filed by July 15. Commenting on this new online search capability, FEC Chairman Robert Lenhard said: “This new online tool underscores our commitment to the public to disclose campaign finance information in a timely and easily understood manner.”
