96-3570. Computerized Magnetic Media Requirements for Presidential Committees

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 33 (Friday, February 16, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 6245]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-3570]



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FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION

[Notice 1996-7]


Computerized Magnetic Media Requirements for Presidential 
Committees

AGENCY: Federal Election Commission.

ACTION: Announcement of Changes to the Computerized Magnetic Media 
Requirements for Presidential Primary and General Election Committees.

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SUMMARY: The Commission has revised its document entitled 
``Computerized Magnetic Media Requirements for Title 26 Candidates/
Committees Receiving Federal Funding'' (``CMMR''). The CMMR sets forth 
technical standards designed to ensure the compatibility of magnetic 
media provided for Commission use during the matching fund submission 
process and mandatory audits of these publicly-funded campaign 
committees.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 11, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph F. Stoltz, Deputy Assistant 
Staff Director; or Paul L. Laramee, Supervisory Computer Systems 
Analyst, Data Systems Development Division; 999 E Street N.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20463; [phone] (Mr. Stoltz), [phone] 
(Mr. Laramee), or [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 21, 1990, the Federal Election 
Commission adopted a document entitled ``Computerized Magnetic Media 
Requirements for Title 26 Candidates/Committees Receiving Federal 
Funding'' (``CMMR''). The CMMR was revised on January 30, 1992 to 
reflect technological advances during the intervening period (see 57 FR 
4453 (Feb. 5, 1992)), and again on January 11, 1996. This Notice 
summarizes the most recent revisions, which apply to all publicly-
funded committees that participate in the 1996 presidential election.
    The CMMR sets forth technical standards designed to ensure the 
compatibility of magnetic media provided for Commission use during the 
matching fund submission process and the mandatory audits of publicly-
funded presidential campaign committees. Each presidential candidate 
must agree to maintain and provide computerized magnetic media in the 
format prescribed by the CMMR, if the committee maintains or uses 
computerized information containing any specified categories of data. 
See 11 CFR 9003.1(b)(4) and 9033.1(b)(5). The technical standards in 
the CMMR include general requirements for magnetic tape and magnetic 
diskettes, as well as file format specifications for records of 
receipts and disbursements, including contributors, vendors, invoices, 
bank accounts and check files.
    In 1995, the Commission amended its public funding rules at 11 CFR 
9036.2(a)(1)(vi) to give presidential committees the option of 
submitting contributions for matching funds through the use of digital 
imaging technology such as computer CD ROMs, instead of submitting 
paper photocopies of checks and deposit slips. The Commission has added 
Digital Image Specifications to the CMMR to provide guidance to those 
committees that utilize this new option, as well as conforming 
amendments throughout the document.
    The revised public funding rules require presidential campaign 
committee reports that contain schedules generated from computerized 
files to list in alphabetical order the sources of the receipts, the 
payees and the creditors. See 11 CFR 9006.3, 9037.4. The CMMR has 
accordingly been revised to include guidance on how to record these 
names.
    Finally, the CMMR has been revised to reflect technological 
advances in computer software since the 1992 revisions. It thus 
provides campaigns with more options than the previous version of the 
CMMR. The Commission continues to encourage committees to provide 
samples of their magnetic tape or magnetic diskettes, so that the 
Commission may determine whether the samples comply with the 
specifications established.
    The CMMR is included as Appendix 2 to the Commission's Finance 
Control and Compliance Manual For Presidential Primary Candidates 
Receiving Public Funding (Jan. 1996). This ensures distribution to the 
committees covered by these requirements. It is also available from the 
Commission's Public Records Office or the Audit Division.
    Please note that the technical requirements found in the CMMR are 
not intended to promote or discourage the use of any particular 
computer system or software. The Commission believes that committees 
should have as much discretion as possible in selecting the computer 
equipment they wish to use, determining what types of financial records 
and information should be computerized, and deciding how the 
computerized information is maintained. However, committees are 
expected to present this financial information to the Commission in the 
format specified in the CMMR.

    Dated: February 13, 1996.
Lee Ann Elliott,
Chairman , Federal Election Commission.
[FR Doc. 96-3570 Filed 2-15-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6715-01-P