FAQ: New Filer Application
Q. WHY IS SBE REPLACING THE DESKTOP VAILING SOFTWARE?
A. VAFiling (first introduced in 1999) has exceeded its useful lifespan. As the product has aged, SBE has had to divert more and more of its limited resources to provide Help Desk support for the more than 750 users. The best solution is to shift from desktop software (which users had to install on a PC) to a “cloud” application (which users can access through a Web browser from a variety of devices).
Q. WHEN WILL THE NEW SYSTEM BE AVAILABLE?
A. The SBE has scheduled deployment on March 15. At that time, users will be able to establish accounts and begin entering transactions for the current year.
Q. WILL I BE ABLE TO CONTINUE USING PRIVATE VENDOR SOFTWARE TO FILE MY CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS?
A. Yes. The new system will accept files generated by software on the approved vendor list. SBE will provide vendors with new specifications and require vendors to be certified under the new system. SBE anticipates these changes will be minimal. However, it will be the responsibility of the vendor to make any adjustments necessary to certify the software for use by clients.
Q. WILL I BE ABLE TO USE THE SYSTEM ON A MAC?
A. Yes. The new system will be compatible with commonly used browsers, regardless of what type of computer (PC or Apple) you are using.
Q. WHAT WILL BE THE MAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN VAFILNG AND THE NEW SYSTEM?
A. The new system will eliminate the two problems that users found most frustrating. First, users won’t have to install software on their PC. This means you won’t have to re-install the software if SBE issues an updated version. Second, users won’t have to download new filing periods, a process that many users found cumbersome.
The new system has a number of other advantages:
- Filing will become portable: no longer will your data be tied to single PC in a single location. You will be able to add data from any computer.
- You no longer have to worry about a catastrophic loss of your information if your hard drive crashes. All your data will be backed up and protected on SBE’s server.
- It will be easier to maintain and update a master list of your donors and vendors.
- SBE is moving your Statement of Organization online, which will give you more control over your account information should you change mailing addresses or name a new treasurer.
- The new system will integrate any accelerated reports (such as candidates’ large, pre-election reports and PAC’s 72-hour reports on donations of $10,000 or more) into a single system. You now will enter such transactions only once.
Q. WILL I IMPORT MY VAFILING DATA INTO THE NEW SYSTEM?
A. No. You will retain your legacy data on your desktop. The new system will contain data only from 2012 forward.
Q. WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH MY OLD DATABASE?
A. While legacy data cannot be imported into this new system, retain a copy of your current database. Committees that don't work with outside vendors must use the VA Filing software to amend any report that was due before 4/1/2012.
Q. WHERE WILL MY DATA BE STORED AND WHO WILL HAVE ACCESS TO MY INFORMATION?
A. All information entered into the new application will be stored on a server managed and protected by SBE. Just like the current system, the information you are required to disclose on campaign finance reports will not be visible to the public before the filing deadline and until you tell the system to file your report. However, any information entered (including small donors, whose names are not required to be disclosed publicly) will reside on SBE’s server. The SBE has put in place security measures and administrative policies to ensure the privacy of your information. In addition, the 2010 General Assembly, in anticipation of this system, passed a law that protects your information from requests under Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act.
Q. IF I NEED TO AMEND AN OLDER REPORT, WILL I USE VAFILING OR THE NEW SYSTEM?
A. The new system will only be for reports submitted after 4/1/2012. Amendments of any report that was due before that date will need to be submitted using VAFiling.
Q. WILL I CONTINUE TO USE THE SYSTEM TO FILE PAPER REPORTS WITH MY LOCAL REGISTRAR?
A. The online system for compiling finance reports will be available only to candidates and committees that chose the e-file option. Paper filers who currently use VAFiling to generate paper reports for submission to local registrars will have the choice of converting to e-filing or reverting to pen and paper. Paper filers’ interaction with the system will be limited to preparing their Statements of Organization In the new system, e-filers will retain the ability to print their reports on paper for review prior to submitting electronically.
Q. WILL I BE ABLE TO DOWNLOAD MY DATA INTO A FILE OR SPREADSHEET ON MY COMPUTER?
A. Yes. The system will allow you to download your data into Excel or a .csv file which you can then sort or filter to suit your data needs.
Q. WILL I BE ABLE TO UPLOAD DATA FROM QUICKEN OR OTHER SOFTWARE, SO I DON’T HAVE TO TYPE IT IN TWICE?
A. Not initially, but SBE intends to look into this as an option in the future.
Feb. 14, 2012
Browse updates by month:
July 2025June 2025
May 2025
April 2025
March 2025
February 2025
(Show All)
December 2024
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008