County budget office staff told the Fair Election Fund Commission on Monday that the Maryland State Board of Elections is transitioning its campaign reporting information system (MDCRIS) to a new version this week and is offering recorded trainings and soon-to-be-published step-by-step videos for candidates.

"The state is moving from this very outdated version of MDCRIS... and that transition is happening this week," Shane Spencer said. He described the new system as less clunky and noted that some detailed training materials may be accessible only after logging into MDCRIS for security reasons.

Commissioners asked whether they should learn the new system so they can help candidates. Spencer said he would recirculate the state's training email and the State Board landing page and would follow up with the State Board to clarify how much training is accessible without a candidate login. He also said he would share contact information for a State staffer (Kevin) who is available to assist candidates directly.

Spencer recommended changing the county's candidate summary guide to stop duplicating the State's training content and instead direct users to the State Board of Elections website for MDCRIS instructions, login guidance, where to upload receipts, and how to find training materials. He said he will bring an updated, shorter summary guide back to the commission for consideration and a special vote.

The commission asked staff to circulate training links and to notify commissioners when the State's videos and materials become publicly available so the county can point candidates to authoritative, up-to-date guidance.