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

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

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.

MiTN Status Page for Outstanding/Resolved Bugs

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