The Oklahoma Ethics Commission plans to have its website for campaign finance reports back online Oct. 28, putting it offline for more than a month.
The launch of a new site fell behind schedule, and the website has been offline since Sept. 19. It was supposed to go back online Oct. 1.
The system, called Guardian 2.0, is a revamped website that allows people seeking elected office to file their campaign filings and for the public to view those reports.
“Guardian 2.0 represents a critical step forward in modernizing campaign finance reporting,” said Lee Anne Bruce Boone, the executive director of the Oklahoma Ethics Commission, in an email. “We regret the delay but believe it’s the right decision to ensure accuracy and stability.
The new website comes ahead of a critical election year that will determine Oklahoma’s next governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and state schools superintendent.
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Bruce Boone said in the email that the delay will allow for final technical fixes and secure data conversion from the previous website. She said the commission will be able to maintain and improve the new site directly, because it owns the source code.
Bruce Boone said she would waive late fees for candidates who have to submit financial reports if needed. While the site is down, Oklahomans can request copies of campaign finance records directly from the Oklahoma Ethics Commission.
Once the site is back online, Oklahomans can continue to access it at guardian.ok.gov, the same address as with the old system.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma campaign finance website launch falls a month behind schedule