In a recent meeting of the Michigan Legislature's Oversight Committee, officials addressed ongoing challenges with the Mitten system, a new platform designed to streamline campaign finance reporting and enhance transparency in Michigan's political landscape. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson opened the discussion by acknowledging the frustrations experienced by users of the previous system, the Michigan Electronic Reporting and Tracking System (MERTS), which had been in operation since 2000 and was widely criticized for its inefficiency and outdated technology.

The Mitten system aims to integrate various financial disclosure processes into a single, user-friendly platform. This overhaul is particularly significant as it follows the passage of Proposal 2022-1, which mandates additional personal financial disclosures from elected officials and candidates. The integration of these systems is expected to improve data interoperability, making it easier for the public to access and understand campaign finance information.

During the meeting, officials outlined the timeline for the Mitten project, noting that the request for proposals (RFP) was issued in July 2022. Michigan Interactive, a subsidiary of Tyler Technologies, was selected as the vendor after the other bid failed to meet necessary requirements. The urgency of the project was underscored by the tight deadlines imposed by the new legislation, which required the development of a new module for personal financial disclosures within just four months.

Despite the successful launches of various modules for lobbyists, campaign finance, and personal financial disclosures, officials admitted that the system has not yet met their standards of excellence. The committee emphasized the importance of continuous improvements and user feedback to ensure that the Mitten system ultimately fulfills its goals of accessibility, usability, and security.

As the state moves forward with this critical project, the discussions highlighted the need for ongoing oversight and support to address the challenges faced by users and to enhance the overall effectiveness of campaign finance reporting in Michigan. The committee's commitment to monitoring the system's progress will be essential in ensuring that it meets the needs of both filers and the public in the future.