a public database that clarifies the connections between campaign donations & legislative votes over time. elected officials collect large sums of money to run their campaigns, & they often "pay back" campaign contributors with special access & favorable laws.

the website allows users to explore historical voting records, supporting & opposing interests & according campaign contributions. key information is revealed such as contributions given by interest, average donations given to legislators voting in favor or against, & a timeline of contributions & votes for each bill, graphically identifying when legislators received large donations before or after their vote.

[link: maplight.org]

see also unfluence.