Candidate Backgrounding & Public Records with MuckRock & Sunlight Search

Join Sunlight Search and MuckRock for a master class on the lost art of backgrounding candidates for public office, by going deep into public records. We’ll share sample public records requests that we’ve filed with local, state and federal agencies, show you where to find property and business records, and look at how to pull and read personal financial disclosure reports. You’ll leave with a tool kit that you can use to develop a thorough background profile of incumbents and challengers in the election races you’re covering.

About the hosts:

MuckRock is a journalism and transparency non-profit that facilitates public records requests and maintains a database of more than 20,000 local, state and federal agencies that make it easy to research and file public records requests.

Sunlight Search is a nonpartisan organization that focuses on accountability research on candidates for public office.

Presenters:

Elizabeth Clemons - Sunlight Search

Kelly Kauffman - MuckRock