TO: Interested Parties
FROM: Kim Alexander, California Voter Foundation
DATE: May 9, 1996
RE: Electronic Filing, Take TwoFriends:
First, I want to thank everyone for the input received so far on the electronic filing software issue. Second, I want to add a few caveats to the current dilemma that may help inform the debate: One of the goals of California's proposed electronic filing system is to require that the reports be transmitted electronically, and not submitted on a diskette, which can be corrupted along the way. Also, there is an authentication need that makes electronic filing of political disclosure records a complex matter - we need to safeguard against the possibility that someone may falsify a candidate's filing. Digital signatures may take care of that concern, however, although they are still in the development stage.
Finally, there is the matter of the complexity of California's disclosure laws. The contribution and expenditure schedules could be generated from any number of database programs, but the other information required to be disclosed on the cover sheet and summary pages is a little more complex. Those of us who have been involved in this issue are hoping that the programs used by candidates to fill out the summary data will be self-adding and correcting, as math errors are one of the greatest problems with the current paper-based process. It seems that those math functions, however, may make a web-based entry program a little more difficult.
We have a meeting today on this topic....I will be sure to post a status report to the calgovinfo list.
Thanks again for all the wonderful input so far...by the way, I am planning to set up a special listserv dedicated to the issue of electronic filing of political disclosure records here in California and elsewhere, and will let you know as soon as it's set up.
Kim Alexander, Executive Director, California Voter Foundation
cvf@netcom.com
916/325-2120
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