This article originally provided by The Charleston Gazette

May 8, 2008

Ireland adds new features to online election reports

By Paul J. Nyden
Staff writer

Secretary of State Betty Ireland has made it much easier for West Virginians, and people anywhere, to learn about who donates to political candidates in the Mountain State.

Each candidate who runs for statewide office and for legislative offices must file several reports during each election cycle, including two before primary elections. Independent groups that spend money promoting, or criticizing, candidates also must file reports.

The information is available to the public, at no cost, at www.wvsos.com/elections/cfreports.

For the first time, the site also can list contributors to any candidate according to how much they gave, from the lowest to the highest dollar amount.

Ireland said she was thrilled to offer new features to the secretary of state's ever-expanding Campaign Finance Reporting System.

"It goes a long way in furthering the goal of transparency and accountability in elections," Ireland said.

"This will help to ensure that voters have convenient and timely access to information about those who financially support candidates and how campaign funds are being spent."

During her tenure, Ireland has introduced several features to help candidates and to make records about campaign donations and expenses more readily available to the public.