Campaign Finance Reports

The campaign finance law, M.G.L. Chapter 55, requires all candidates in a municipal election to file campaign disclosure reports prior to an election, after the election and possibly at year-end.  Public employees who wish to run for elective office and raise funds, must establish a political committee. Political committees are not required for other candidates.

IMPORTANT:  The Campaign Finance Law mandates that CIVIL PENALTIES of $25 PER DAY be assessed personally against the candidate for any report that is filed after the due date and upon referral to the Office of Campaign and Political Finance.  In addition, failure to file the report as required will subject you to referral to the Attorney General.

Please review this guide from the Office of Campaign & Political Finance: Campaign Finance Guide for Candidates for Municipal Office

 

Forms (available in the Town Clerk's office):
CPF M101: Statement of Organization of a Candidate Committee
CPF M102: Campaign Finance Report Municipal Form OR
CPF M102-0: Campaign Finance Report (Affidavit) Municipal Form (only for candidates without a political committee and that have not received contributions, spent money or incurred debt.)

Pre-Election Report: Due 8 days prior to an election

Your report must disclose all campaign finance activity (all funds and in-kind contributions received, expenses paid and liabilities incurred) from the day following the ending date of the last report filed through 10 days before the due date.

Please ensure that you report is complete before filing.  Reports that do not conform to the law cannot be accepted by this office and must be returned to you for correction. Your report must include the candidate's and treasurers original signatures in ink, and must be received by this office no later than the close of business on the due date. By law, a postmark is not acceptable.

Post-Election Report - Due 30 days after the election

Due on or before the 30th day following the general election complete from the day following the ending date of the last report filed through 10 days before the due date. This report may be considered a final report if the candidate/committee has no cash balance, assets or outstanding liabilities, and did not win.

Year-end Reports Filing - Due on January 20 of following year

Required for incumbents and candidates or committees that have continuing balances or liabilities or did not dissolve for the post-election report. 

Due on or before January 20 in the year following, complete from the day following the ending date of the last report filed through December 31. This year-end report must be filed every year so long as a committee is in existence, or a candidate maintains a campaign fund, has outstanding debts, or is an incumbent elected official.