Web Critique 7

Website Name: www.cfinst.org
Operated By:  The Campaign Finance Institute
Funded By:  Foundation grants, individual contributions

            The Campaign Finance Institute website is devoted to presenting online the research and education materials produced by the Institute. They describe themselves as “The Nation’s Leading Think Tank on Money in Politics in Federal and State Elections” and state that they are “Nonpartisan, Policy-Relevant and Timely” and are “Meeting Peer-Reviewed Standards” and “Serving Public Needs”. They have a plethora of useful information about campaign finance for Federal and State elections, including Presidential and Congressional elections.  Some types of research included are: analyses of money in elections both recent and historical, the cost of winning different types of elections (by year), information on small donors, including citizens, information on donor diversity, how campaign finance has changed over the years, particularly since the Citizens United case, implementation of 527 groups, and BCRA, the impacts of different theoretical changes in donations, and much more. They include a press section, easy email sign up, and tables and charts to help users view data over periods of time. I particularly appreciated the Law section, because they make it really simple and at-a-glance. I also appreciated the sections offering information and tools dedicated to citizens. Finally, a website that has high-level political material, but is also willing to offer education to regular citizens.