About CivicSummary

What is CivicSummary?

CivicSummary is a nonpartisan civic technology platform that helps voters make informed decisions. We aggregate public information about candidates, campaign finance, and local issues into one accessible, searchable resource. Our goal is to make local democracy more transparent and accessible to every resident.

Data Sources

Our candidate profile information comes from official public sources:

• California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC): Campaign finance filings (Form 410, 460, 496, 497) filed by candidates and committees
• City of Santa Monica Clerk's Office: Candidate nomination filings, official election documents, and public records
• Candidate Statements: Statements filed with the City Clerk under Elections Code 13307, which is how a candidate's own account of themselves reaches these pages
• Public Meeting Records: Council and commission minutes and voting records for candidates who hold or have held office

Profile information comes from the official records listed above. Candidate photos are sourced separately from campaign websites, with a link to the recorded source. We do not use campaign website text, news coverage, social media, or material written specifically for CivicSummary to build candidate summaries.

Methodology

• Public Record: A candidate's record is built from the documents they and others have filed: nomination papers, campaign finance reports, and the votes and actions recorded in official minutes for those who hold or have held office. Each entry is labeled with the document it came from and links to it.
• Campaign Finance: Financial data is pulled directly from FPPC filings. We display the totals as reported; we do not adjust, estimate, or editorialize financial figures.
• AI-Generated Summaries: Some candidate summaries are generated using AI to help voters quickly take in a large record. These summaries are always clearly labeled and are drawn solely from the documents collected for that candidate, never from outside sources.
• Coverage Gaps: Where we have not collected a record, the page says so in terms of our own coverage. An absence is never presented as a clean record, and never as something a candidate failed to provide.

Editorial Policy

CivicSummary does not endorse candidates or take positions on ballot measures. We present factual information and let voters draw their own conclusions. Our editorial principles:

• Nonpartisan: We do not favor any candidate, party, or ideology
• Transparent: Source links are being verified and added section by section
• Accurate: We correct errors promptly when identified
• Complete: We strive to present all candidates equitably, regardless of incumbency or funding level

Contact

Questions, corrections, or feedback? Use the contact form and select the category that best fits your message.

Candidates and campaign representatives: use the contact form for corrections, missing records, photo questions, or other inquiries. We will confirm receipt by email and respond within 48 hours.