|
 August 2026
|
|
|
The new CAL-ACCESS system is scheduled to launch in November 2026. To help prepare for this transition, we invite you to explore the new approach to data entry by volunteering for testing opportunities that start in mid-September. This month's feature story, Try the New CAL-ACCESS Before Go-live, provides information about the testing opportunities and explains the steps to participate. Also in this edition:
-
On the Horizon: Meeting dates and the status of Program Increment 4.
-
Getting Ready for Go-Live: How to create and sign in to a new CAL-ACCESS account.
-
Question of the Month: How does a person register and file for multiple candidates, committees, or lobbying clients in the new CAL-ACCESS?
-
Your Voice in the CAL-ACCESS Transition: Tell us the functionality most important for user testing in September and the topics to share in coming newsletters.
New: The Fair Political Practices Commission has posted on their website information describing new legislation and changes to the existing forms. A direct link to the Interested Persons Meetings and Comment Periods is included at the end of this newsletter.
|
|
|
The project team is seeking volunteers to participate in external user testing from September 14 through October 9, 2026. Participants will be scheduled based on their availability ranging from a few days up to the full testing period. External user participation is highly encouraged and will play an important role in improving the user experience.
If interested in participating, please email PRDCARS@sos.ca.gov with the following information:
- Name
- Telephone number
- Email address
- Preferred testing window (dates)
Please submit your request by August 21, 2026. You will receive an acknowledgment email confirming receipt of your request, along with information about the next steps.
Why Participate?
-
Early Access: Practice with the new system before the public launch.
-
Direct Impact: Provide feedback to improve the user experience.
-
Virtual One-on-One Walkthrough: Work with an assigned mentor who provides personal guidance through workflows that help you navigate the new system.
What to Expect
-
Format: Testing sessions will range from 30 to 60 minutes and will be conducted virtually through Microsoft Teams.
-
Testing process: Sessions include navigating key features, completing common filing tasks, and sharing real-time feedback with your mentor.
|
|
 |
-
CARS Monthly External Stakeholder Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month to share project status and demonstrate newly completed features/functionality. The next meeting is on August 12 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
-
Program Increment 3 completed on July 31. This phase delivered portals for filers and staff, account management, reports, online help, and most of the correspondence development work.
-
Program Increment 4 includes developing the remaining features (other than some outstanding change requests) needed for the new system to go live in November. These features include the Public Portal, enabling the public to search, view, and export data. Report management and training delivery are also part of this increment. Internal testing of Program Increment 4 functionality will begin August 17 and continue through October.
-
Third-Party Software Vendors certifying for the new CAL-ACCESS are currently testing their software’s ability to connect to the system. A formal certification process will follow testing and is planned to finish by October 16. The project team continues to meet with vendors on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The next meetings are August 11 and 25, 2026.
|
|
|
Every filer will need a personal user account to sign into the new CAL-ACCESS. Learning how to set up that account and how the new sign-in security works is one of the best ways to prepare for the November transition.
What to Expect and How to Prepare:
Filer Account – Today, PRD assigns a Filer ID and password. In the new CAL-ACCESS, filers will create an account using their email address. Before the go-live date, the project team recommends you confirm with PRD that the email you have on file is current.
Historical Records – To ensure existing CAL-ACCESS records are available in the new system, filers will complete a process to link their new account to their filing entities.
Secure Sign-In – Similar to online banking, the new system will use multi-factor authentication (MFA). After entering a password, the filer will receive a prompt to confirm their identity by text message, email, or an authenticator application. A future edition of this newsletter will cover the MFA process in more detail.
Get Ready in Three Quick Steps:
- Make sure PRD has your current email address.
- Keep a phone or device handy to receive verification prompts.
- As the go live date approaches, look for step-by-step setup instructions on the CARS Go-Live Updates web page by following the link at the bottom of this letter.
|
|
|
How does a person register and file for multiple candidates, committees, or lobbying clients in the new CAL-ACCESS?
Answer: The new CAL-ACCESS is built around your individual user account and login. Your account can be linked to every filing entity that you are authorized to manage.
Once linked, all your associated entities appear in the My Filers tab. From there, you can open each entity's profile to file activity reports, manage correspondence, and track filings, without logging out and back in.
Linkages are completed once per person, per filing entity. A user can request a linkage to a filing entity anytime. Built-in business rules prevent linkages that are not permitted, and the system provides guidance when a requested linkage cannot be completed. For example, a lobbyist cannot be linked to a recipient committee.
|
|
|
As the transition to the new CAL-ACCESS draws closer, this is an opportunity to have your voice heard on any aspect of the system that matters most to you. Take a few minutes to ask questions or provide feedback through the polls linked below. The more you share, the more we can prepare.
-
Tell us the functionality you are interested in testing: Testing sessions let filers try the new CAL-ACCESS before go-live. Complete this poll by August 18, 2026, to rate these testing topics from most to least important and provide additional topics.
- Account setup and sign-in
- Linking filing entities
- Filing an activity report
- Navigating the new CAL-ACCESS public or filer portals
- Other (use the open text field to explain)
Bridging the Gap: With go-live approaching, you can help us shape the remaining editions of this newsletter. Share your questions, concerns, and/or requests for additional information and support by August 18, 2026. The more specific you can be, the more detailed we can make our response.
|
|
|
What would you like to see included in the next CARS Stakeholder Bulletin issue? Email PRDCARS@SOS.CA.GOV to provide your ideas and feedback.
|
|
The CARS Project Monthly External Stakeholder Meeting Series (MS Teams), PowerPoint Presentations, Q&As, and FAQs may be found on the CARS Homepage.
|
|
|
|
|
