Changelog
New features, data updates and fixes.
Site updates and automatic refresh
Added
- A dedicated About page and a Changelog tab with project history. Method and the citation tool are now in Docs; existing Method links redirect to the new page.
Changed
- Campaign and lobbying refreshes rebuild both map layouts and check PAC connections and filed committee sponsorships. See the current data release for the latest export and coverage dates.
- Lobbying records now use unique exact-name or registration-backed matches. Uncertain identities remain separate. The data release page lists separate update dates for lobbying records and legislative positions.
- Simplified the newsletter popup and documentation summaries. Added more space between changelog entries and replaced article hover motion with a title underline.
Fixed
- Repaired the stalled nightly refresh. New campaign and lobbying data publish automatically after all validation checks pass. Returning browsers now check for updated map data.
Removed
- The Work with us page and recruitment links. The old page redirects to About.
Campaign data and contribution totals
Changed
- Updated campaign records from the October 5 CAL-ACCESS export.
Fixed
- Contribution totals now subtract returned contributions, exclude Schedule I receipts from giver totals and count repeated statements for the same period once. Giver totals are checked against Form 460 contributions.
Scheduled campaign refresh
Added
- A nightly process to build campaign updates from new CAL-ACCESS exports and hold them for review. Automatic publication and lobbying updates followed on October 10.
Campaign coverage and map filters
Added
- Filters for record types, connection types, minimum amounts and patterns to check, plus Big money and Patterns views. Pattern flags are research leads with possible explanations, not findings.
Changed
- Expanded coverage of itemized givers, late contributions and connected committees. Smaller givers are grouped or listed where appropriate.
- Views rearrange the map around selected records. The larger dataset downloads in a compressed format, and bill-level lobbying estimate details cover more organizations.
Date filters and contact form
Added
- A contact form for questions and corrections.
Changed
- Updated page layouts and cached assets so returning visitors receive the latest fixes.
Fixed
- Centered views and search connection counts now follow the selected date range. Record cards explain receipts without named givers.
Canvas map, documentation and sharing
Added
- Documentation for records, connections, figures and limitations, including the bill-level lobbying estimate method.
- Hook Line to keep selected records together, updated focus behavior and redesigned share images.
- A map share studio and a home button in the map controls.
Changed
- Made the dedicated canvas renderer the main map at /network. Kept the earlier renderer available as a compatibility page.
- Made calendar, record browsing, connection search and legend controls open and close consistently. Improved mobile layouts.
- Updated the homepage, editorial pages and signup forms to use consistent styles. Simplified map navigation and the wordmark on smaller screens.
Fixed
- Set the default date range to year to date. Bill estimates recalculate from reporting quarters when the range changes, and the calendar requires an explicit range selection.
- Restored map performance after a rendering regression.
Public website and investigation tools
Added
- The Dark Money Map identity, Capitol homepage and public map route, alongside sources, methodology and explanatory articles.
- Interactive previews of public records with links to the corresponding map neighborhoods.
- Newsletter and API waitlist signup, article citation tools and the original Work with us page.
- Production storage for newsletter signups and a dedicated not-found page.
- Donor lookup, connection-chain investigation, saved views and sharing tools.
- Public data integrity metadata, privacy information and security contact details.
Changed
- Organized the homepage around the project’s purpose, record examples and the full map. Work with us was later removed on October 10.
- Updated homepage map previews, the wordmark, mobile layout and links into the map.
- Improved record spacing and map reading controls.
Project foundations
Development began on February 8, 2026. The early work established the public-record map described below.
Added
- An independent public-record map adapted from the original canvas graph, with pan, zoom, dragging, search, neighborhood highlighting and source inspection.
Changed
- Separated the public data view from private CRM navigation and metadata.