Oklahoma campaign finance site offline for weeks as state revamps system

The state’s website for campaign finance reports remains offline after a new launch of the site fell behind schedule.

The website has been offline since Sept. 19. It was supposed to go back online Oct. 1. Lee Anne Bruce Boone, the executive director of the Oklahoma Ethics Commission, has not yet said when the campaign finance reporting system will be back online.

The system, called Guardian 2.0, is a revamped website that allows people seeking elected office to file their campaign filings and for the public to view those reports.

“Guardian 2.0 represents a critical step forward in modernizing campaign finance reporting,” Bruce Boone said in an email. “We regret the delay but believe it’s the right decision to ensure accuracy and stability.”

The new website comes ahead of a critical election year that will determine Oklahoma’s next governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and state schools superintendent.

Bruce Boone said in the email that the delay will allow for final technical fixes and secure data conversion from the previous website. She said the commission will be able to maintain and improve the new site directly, because it owns the source code.

Candidates who facing reporting deadlines will not face penalties because of the delay, Bruce Boone said. Third-quarter campaign finance reports are due Oct. 31. Some lobbyists will also be required to file disclosure reports by Oct. 15.

Bruce Boone said she would waive late fees if needed.

While the site is down, Oklahomans can request copies campaign finance records directly from the Oklahoma Ethics Commission.

Once the site is back online, Oklahomans can continue to access it at guardian.ok.gov, the same address as with the old system.

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Ethics Commission delays launch of new Oklahoma campaign finance site