The San Francisco Ethics Commission convened on July 4, 2025, to discuss the implementation of new campaign finance dashboards aimed at enhancing public access to electoral financial data. Tyler Field, a senior IS engineer with the commission, presented an overview of these interactive tools designed to simplify the review of campaign statements for voters and interested parties.

Field explained that the dashboards aggregate extensive data from political committees, which are required to file financial statements detailing their fundraising and spending activities. These filings, mandated by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), occur semi-annually and include additional pre-election deadlines during election years. The next significant filing deadline is set for July 31, 2025, covering the first half of the year.

The presentation highlighted the user-friendly features of the dashboards, which allow users to filter information by specific contests, candidates, or ballot measures. Users can view total funds received, itemized expenditures, and contributions categorized by various demographics, including location and occupation. This data visualization aims to assist voters in making informed decisions by providing a clearer picture of campaign financing.

Field also noted the introduction of an automated version of the dashboards, which will streamline updates during the critical 90 days leading up to elections. This enhancement addresses the need for timely information as campaign finance data can change rapidly during this period.

The meeting concluded with Field inviting questions and comments from the commissioners, emphasizing the commission's commitment to transparency and accessibility in campaign finance. The new dashboards represent a significant step towards demystifying the complexities of campaign finance disclosures for the public and media alike.