The Federal Election Commission has rolled out interactive maps breaking down campaign contributions down to the ZIP code. Hotline‘s Patrick Ottenhoff has details:
Sick of filing through those endless PDF reports? The FEC introduced a new feature on its Web site today — an interactive map that shows how much each candidate has raised right down to the zip code. Right now the site only offers WH candidates, but FEC spokesman Bob Biersack said it will eventually include House and SEN candidates, probably after the 7/15 filing deadline for the 2ndQ.
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Being the FEC, the map is also not without bureaucratic guidelines. It only includes itemized individual contributions; PAC money or donations under $200 are not reported; and primary and general funds are not separated. Also, money transferred from cong. to WH accounts will be attributed to the state where the cong. cmte was registered — So, all the “SEN” money that HRC raised from 22101 or 90210 is recorded as contributions out of NY State.
It’s somewhat amusing that this is a stripped-down version of software the New York Times has been using for some time but, still, this goes a long way to providing transparency for those interested in digging through the data. Certainly, sunshine will be more effective than “finance reform” laws that attempt to keep money out of the process.
