Michigan Filing Best Practices

Can I file to MI directly from ISP?

Sadly, you cannot. You must generate your report, then download a group of .csv files that are uploaded into the state’s system, which is commonly known as MiTN (Michigan Transparency Network).

There is quite a bit of setup before the first import can be done on the new system. Please be sure this is all complete by following the steps laid out on the state’s site.

NOTE: We have found it is best to use full screen in order to best navigate the MiTN.

How are entity uploads handled?

With Michigan e-filing, you’ll have to upload a list of entities separate from the list of transactions. You then upload the list of transactions, which will be linked on the back end through the Entity ID our system provides. 

Michigan does not support uploading an entity more than once. Because of this, it is paramount that you mark reports as filed. This ensures that previously uploaded entities do not get uploaded again.

Once you upload entity contact data for a particular reporting period, you cannot upload for that period again. This means partial, early uploads are not possible.

How are entity updates handled?

How are work addresses handled for unemployed individuals?

Unlike the old system, Michigan no longer wants placeholder addresses for unemployed individuals. If you have existing placeholders in ISP that need to be removed, please email support@ispolitical.com with the details so we can take care of those for you.

In addition, we will not pull an address marked as Work if the Individual’s occupation is one of the following:

• Not Employed
• N/A
• Unemployed
• Retired
• Student
• Self
• Homemaker
• Volunteer

Why do I have to supply a work address for an entity that has not (or will not) reach the threshold?

While it is true work addresses are not required until the donor has reached $100.01 in aggregate, because you cannot import changes to the MiTN system, we recommend you provide work address the first time a donor is included so that your reports will be compliant should the donor ever cross the $100 threshold on a future report.

How do I associate a transaction with a Fundraiser?

There are two ways to associate a Fundraiser with a transaction. Either one of these options must be done before generating a Compliance Report.

First Option:

1. Login to MiLogin and select the appropriate committee
2. On the dashboard, select the Fundraisers option
3. Click on Add Fundraiser, fill out the fields as appropriate, and click on Save
4. Click on the newly added Fundraiser from the list, and make note of the Fundraising Event Sequence Number. It will likely be two numbers, a dash, and six more numbers (example: 00-123456)
5. In ISP, navigate to Tools > Events (If you don’t have events in your database, please see this Events page for additional information.)
6. Click on +Add Event at the bottom of the page. Fill out the appropriate information, including the entering the Fundraising Event Sequence Number into field Agency Assigned Identifier. Click on Add Event.
7. You will now see the event drop down on transactions. Select the event if the transaction is associated with a fundraiser, or leave blank.

Second Option (basically the reverse!):

1. In ISP, navigate to Tools > Events (If you don’t have events in your database, please see this Events page for additional information.)
2. Click on +Add Event at the bottom of the page. Fill out the appropriate information. Click on Add Event.
3. You will now see the event drop down on transactions. Select the event if the transaction is associated with a fundraiser, or leave blank.
4. When you are preparing to file your report, login to MiLogin and select the appropriate committee
5. On the dashboard, select the Fundraisers option
6. Click on Add Fundraiser, fill out the fields as appropriate, and click on Save
7. Click on the newly added Fundraiser from the list, and make note of the Fundraising Event Sequence Number. It will likely be two numbers, a dash, and six more numbers (example: 00-123456)
8. Back in ISP, navigate to Tools > Events once again
9. Click on the corresponding event, then click on the small green triangle to the upper right of the event name, and add the Fundraising Event Sequence Number into field Agency Assigned Identifier. Click on Update Event.

These steps must be taken before your report is generated for filing.

How do I get a Campaign ID for Candidates, Committees, and Ballot Measures?

Support/Oppose memos are a more complicated process than other transaction types. The following steps MUST be done for any memos before generating your report from ISP:

1. Candidates and Ballot Measures need to be manually entered into MiTN. They cannot be imported. This is done in the Campaigns tab.
2. After adding them, MiTN will generate a Campaign ID, which you will see in the left hand column under the Campaign tab. It will likely be two numbers, a dash, and six more numbers (example: 00-123456)
3. This number needs to be added to the candidate or ballot measure record in ISP.

a) For an individual, enter the Campaign ID from MiTN into the “ID Number” field in the Candidate Info section of the candidate’s individual record.

b) For a ballot measures, create an Other Entity for it and enter the Campaign ID from MiTN in the “Letter or number” field.

If you get a “Camp_ID is required” error when importing your expenses, you’ll have to navigate to the Campaigns tab in the state’s system, find (or add) the Candidate or Ballot in question, make a note of the Campaign ID, and add that ID directly to the transaction in Field 51.

MiTN Status Page for Outstanding/Resolved Bugs

https://www.michigan.gov/sos/elections/disclosure/mitn-information