Mapping It Out

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.

You may recognize these maps. Biersack said that the FEC was so impressed with the New York Times’ Q1 package that they decided to buy the same software. He says they only spent $12K of your taxpayer funds though, choosing to forgo some of the bells and whistles that make the Times’ campaign finance page so fluid.

Continued after the jump.

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.

Still, it’s a cool feature that we looking forward to checking out on Monday morning, July 16 [PATRICK OTTENHOFF].