Worcester election chief expands new Web site.

Byline: Shaun Sutner

WORCESTER - Local political junkies can latch onto new Web tools.

City Clerk David J. Rushford, who is also the city's election chief, has launched an expanded Web site that combines data lookup functions of the clerk's office, such as birth and death records, with the ability to call up for the first time district City Council and School Committee campaign finance information.

Until Monday, when the information went online, the district council and school board information could be viewed only by going in person to the Election Commission's office in City Hall.

Campaign finance records for councilor-at-large seats have been available online for several years on the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance Web site.

Now, for example, District 1 voters can - by visiting www.ci.worcester.ma.us/cco/home.html and clicking on Campaign Finance Reports - look at the most recent reports filed by District 1 Councilor Joffrey A. Smith and his opponent, Joseph A. Casello.

Likewise, voters can examine the receipts and expenditures of the candidates for the four other district council seats and eight School Committee candidates.

For those interested in the at-large races, Mr. Rushford's site includes a link to the state campaign finance office Web site.

The city clerk's site also includes, also for the first time, the results of the Sept. 11 preliminary municipal election. Mr. Rushford also plans to soon put on the site election returns dating to 1950, the first election under the current council-city manager form of government.

"This gives better access for everyone and makes government more transparent," said Joshua D. Meduna, assistant director of elections. "Now anyone can get the information from their living room. It just makes it more informative and easier."

The new features are among several changes made by Mr. Rushford, who took over election duties from former Election Commission Executive Director Craig A.J. Manseau last month.

The moves include making automated telephone calls to bring voters to the polls Sept. 11 and equipping every polling place with a mobile phone or walkie-talkie to keep in contact with City Hall on Election Night.

Contact Shaun Sutner by e-mail at [e-mail].

NAME: WORCESTER CITY COUNCIL; WORCESTER SCHOOL COMMITTEE