Troubleshooting

Q Do I need to create a new MERTS file for each report?

Under no circumstances should more than 1 file be created for any committee. Creating more than 1 file forces you to re-enter names and will not carry over balances for the next report. This will also not calculate your cumulative totals correctly.

Q Can I open my old MERTS file now that I have a new version of the software?

Yes. MERTS files created in the older version are compatible with new versions.

Q “My Committee” is displayed where the name of the Committee should be. How can I fix this to enter the Committee’s name?

Please follow the instructions for modifying a name record to correct the name record for the committee.

• Candidate Committees see Add New or Modify Names in the Candidate Committee User Guide.
• All other Committee Types see Add New or Modify Names in the All Other Committees User Guide.

Q My ending balance from my last report does not match the beginning balance of my next report. How can I fix this if it is calculated automatically?

There are several reasons why your balances are not matching up correctly:

• If the election cycle dates are incorrect this will alter your balance. See the Campaign Finance Election Cycles Dates for more information on election cycles.
• If the report Date From or Date Thru have been entered incorrectly, this will affect the balance. There should be no gaps or overlapping dates from one report to the next. See the Campaign Statement Filing Schedule page for information on the correct report coverage periods.
• If a transaction date is entered incorrectly and outside of the report coverage dates, this will alter your balance. Verify the transactions have the correct dates that coincide with the reporting period.

Q This is my first time using MERTS, but I have filed reports in the past. How do I get my ending balance on my paper report show up as my beginning balance on my electronic report?

An Other Receipts dated before the current reporting period will need to be entered with the exact amount of the ending balance of the previous report with a description of “Beginning Balance Adjustment.” As long as the transactions falls before the reporting period it will show as the beginning balance. Note: Cumulative totals and previous debts should also be entered. Contact the Bureau of Elections for additional assistance with making these corrections.

Q I closed (locked) my report, but it has not been uploaded. I need to make a correction, how do I unclose (unlock) my report?

Unlocking your statement puts you at risk of corrupting your file. You must obtain a unique password that can only be provided by contacting an analyst at the Bureau of Elections. However, we would recommend you re-creating the statement as though it didn’t exist. You will NOT have to enter the transactions again as the software is date driven. This will provide you with an unclosed (unlocked) report that you can make your corrections to. Please be sure to view the new statement and run a validation before closing (locking). Note: Creating an amendment and making the corrections will not upload. An amendment cannot be upload without before an original. You will receive a sequence error.

Q The committee has made changes to their Statement of Organization. How do we update our MERTS cover page?

Changes to the cover page of your statement must be made in the Names tab. Locate the committee’s name record and right click to edit and update the information.

• Candidate Committees see Add New or Modify Names in the Candidate Committee User Guide.
• All other Committee Types see Add New or Modify Names in the All Other Committees User Guide.

Q How do I enter my treasurer’s name on the report?

The Treasurer information is updated when the committee is ready to close and upload their statement. Please see Closing, Adding Treasurer and Uploading Report for step by step instructions.

Q My committee does not have a Reporting Waiver but we have had no activity. Are we still required to file a statement? How do we file a statement with no activity?

If the committee does not have a Reporting Waiver they are still required to file the next statement due. The committee will create a statement within the Reports tab with the required coverage dates. Then validate and close/lock the statement. Once the statement has been closed/locked the next step is to upload. Please see Closing, Adding Treasurer and Uploading Report for step by step instructions.

Q How do we dissolve our committee?

Please see Appendix W in the committee manuals for information on how to request dissolution.

Validation/Upload Errors

Q The validation reports indicates I am missing employer/occupation information for an individual. How to add this information?

If an individual has contributed $100.01 or more their employer, employer address and occupation is required. In order to add an individuals’ employer, you must open the Names window and locate the individuals record. Select “Add New Name” located near the Employer dropdown list. Enter the Employer information and select OK. Add the Occupation and Select OK.

Please note: There is a known issue in the Candidate Committee software where committees are receiving this error for the candidate. This error can be disregarded if the information is in the candidate’s name record.

Q The validation reports indicates I am missing employer/occupation information for an individual that is unemployed. What should I do?

The missing occupation/employer error is a warning, meaning the software is expecting information to be there and it is not. If the contributor is unemployed, you can simply disregard these warnings. Or you can indicate Unemployed as the occupation in the contributors name record and select the contributors own name as the employer.

Q I received a fatal error that indicates the Record Name “CVR”, Field Name “Date Closed” is a mandatory field. What is this and how do I fix it?

This error informs you that you have not closed your report and therefore can not upload. Please see Closing, Adding Treasurer and Uploading Report for step by step instructions. The report will have a lock icon indicating it is closed and ready to be uploaded. If this does not have a date follow the steps again and double check your date to make sure it is dated after the last report closed in your Reports tab. If you are not ready to file your report please disregard this error until you are ready to upload.

Q When trying to upload the software asks for the Internet Server and Agency ID. What should I enter?

This is a security step in the software. You should only have to enter it once after downloading the software and uploading for the first time. See information below: Internet Server: miboecfr.nictusa.com Agency ID: MI

Q My report passed validation, but it is still failing to upload. Why?

The following are common server responses in the MILOAD screen committees encounter when attempting to upload:

• Sequence Error – This error indicates that you are uploading your report out of sequential order. For example, you have created an amendment on the original report but have not uploaded the original first. To correct this issue please verify you are uploading your reports in order. If you are unable to upload the original report due to wrong coverage dates or wrong report type, this can be fixed by re-creating the report with the same coverage dates. You will not need to re-enter the transactions since the software is date driven. Next run the validation on the new report to clarify any errors, then close and upload.
• Bad Filer ID or Password: Please verify you are entering the password in all capital letters as it is case sensitive. This is not the same password issued when downloading the software. If you are unsure if you are using the correct password visit our website at www.mertsplus.com and select Get Upload Password.
• If you receive errors 10050, 10051, 10052 or 10054 this indicates the committee’s network is down, contact your system administrator.
• Error 11001 is a loading error which indicates there is a problem with the TCP/IP Host name field in the Configure Screen. To fix this error complete the steps for uploading. After you entered the password and contact email address click the “Configure” tab to see what is listed and the Internet Server.
• Error 1005 indicates the committee connection to the Internet has failed to open. To verify an open connection, open the Internet browser confirm the committee has Internet access. While leaving the browser open, try to upload the campaign report.

Q Why does MERTS keep shutting down/crashing when I try to upload?

• Check your file name for length and special characters. Such as CTEJoeSmith’sANNUAL#2022.MI_DCf. Please be sure you are naming your MERTS file with the Committee name and not the statement you are filing. For example: SMITHMERTS.MI_DCF.
• Check your firewall/network for issues. When initiating an upload, the software is trying to connect to the internet, which your network/firewall may be blocking and causing the software to close. Check with your IT staff.