Frequently asked questions

About the data

Is the map live?

No. The site serves a saved snapshot of its sources, currently dated October 15, 2026. Filings made or amended after that date aren't included until the next release. See Current data release.

Where does the data come from?

From the California Secretary of State's CAL-ACCESS campaign and lobbying filings, from California Legislative Information, and from the state voter guide. See Data sources.

Can I download the data?

The data files are public and documented in Data files. A public API is planned; you can join the waitlist on the Sources page.

Does it cover federal or local races?

No. Dark Money Map is a California state-government product. Federal, city and county records live in separate systems and are outside the product's scope. A federal committee may be named only when it appears inside a California filing; that does not add federal campaign coverage. See Known limitations.

Why isn't a record I expected on the map?

It may be outside the snapshot's coverage, below one of its thresholds, or filed under a different spelling. See Known limitations and Matching records across filings.

How does the date window work?

The map opens year to date. Open Calendar to choose a preset or From and To dates, then press Save. The already-loaded snapshot is filtered and reframed; no new source data is downloaded. A total filed for a reporting period is included in full when that period overlaps the chosen dates, and its card shows the period it covers.

Reading the figures

Why doesn't a bill show how much was spent on it?

Because no filing says so. Lobbying reports disclose payments to firms, not how the money was divided among bills. The map shows who is on record for and against a bill, and never presents a lobbying payment as spending on a bill. Any per-bill amount is a labelled estimate, marked with an asterisk.

Can I add a committee's givers to its receipts?

No. The givers are already counted in the receipts. Adding them counts the same money twice. See How totals are counted.

Does a connection mean someone influenced a vote?

No. A contribution, payment or position is a disclosed record. It doesn't establish motive, coordination or an effect on any outcome.

Why doesn't a figure match CAL-ACCESS or a news story?

Usually because of different periods, a later filing, or different rules about what is counted. See Why figures differ from CAL-ACCESS.

Is a committee for or against the candidate it names?

Only independent spending reports state a side. Other filings that name a candidate or measure, such as receipts and late contributions, often don't, and the map doesn't guess.

Why does the same organization appear twice?

Campaign and lobbying filings are separate systems and spell names differently, so the map keeps such records apart. See Matching records across filings.

Why is a candidate also a donor?

A candidate who gives to their own or another committee is named as a contributor on that committee's statement. The candidate and donor roles stay on separate records.

Using what you find

How do I check a figure?

Find the filing it came from with its filing ID and source link. See Check a figure against the filing.

How do I cite something I found?

Cite the filing, and the map with the date you looked. See How to cite.

What if I find an error?

Tell us, with the filing that shows the correct information. See Corrections.