Committees that raise or spend money to support or oppose a question put to voters at a state election must organize with OCPF and file periodic campaign finance reports.  If the question the committee was formed to support or oppose is put to voters in a municipal election, the committee must organize with their local election official:  the city or town clerk or election commission.  In either case, a ballot question committee is not intended to have an indefinite life; it must dissolve after the resolution of the question at the election.

• Appoint a Chairman and a Treasurer for your committee.
  
  
• Download and complete the Form CPF 101 BQ: Statement of organization for a state ballot question committee.  Bring in or mail the completed form to OCPF to receive your CPF ID number and password to the Electronic Filing System (EFS).

• Your bank may ask you for a copy of your completed Statement of Organization (CPF 101 BQ).
  
  
• You should contact the bank in advance for further information about the bank's requirements to open an account.  The campaign finance law does not have any special requirements about the type of account you open, but your bank may.  The bank will not have any campaign finance reporting requirements for your account.
  
  
• Many banks require committees to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to open a campaign account.  The IRS allows you to apply for an EIN online.
  
  
• Committees should also consult the Massachusetts Department of Revenue for information on any state tax requirements that may be applicable.
  
  
• Additional Help / Information:
  • OCPF Memorandum M-89-02: Information on obtaining a Federal ID number and filing tax returns for political committees.

• Electronic Filing:  If your committee anticipates exceeding, or does exceed, the electronic filing threshold, the committee will need to electronically file all of its campaign finance reports according to this reporting schedule.  You will need to decide which method of electronic filing you wish to use:
  
  
  • You can download and install Reporter 5, OCPF's free reporting software, or
    
    
  • You can log on to Web Reporter, OCPF's online filing system.  If you elect to use Web Reporter, you do not need to download or install any software on your computer.
    
    
  NOTE:  Reporter 5 is designed for PCs, if you use a Mac, you must use Web Reporter.
  
  
• Paper Filing:  If the committee does not exceed the e-filing threshhold, the committee may still use the Reporter software to prepare and print its reports or it may download and complete Form CPF 102 BQ: Campaign finance report for a state ballot question committees.  (Instructions).
  
  
• Recordkeeping:  Committees must maintain detailed accounts of all contributions received and all expenditures made.  These records must be kept separate and distinct from any other accounts or records and must be preserved for 6 years from the relevant election.
  
  
• Additional Help / Information:
  • Campaign Finance Guide: State Ballot Question Committees.
    
    
  • OCPF Interpretive Bulletin IB-90-02: Disclosure and Reporting of Contributions and/or Expenditures Relating to Ballot Questions.
    
    
  • Contribution Limits Chart.
    
    
  • Public Employees and Campaigns: A Fact Sheet.

• Follow the steps outlined above to organize as a state ballot question with the following exceptions:
  • Instead of organizing with OCPF, download and complete a Form CPF M 101 BQ: Statement of organization of a municipal political action committee.  Bring in or mail the completed form to your local election official.
    
    
  • All of the committee's campaign finance reports will be filed on paper with your local election official, however, you may still want to download and install Reporter 5, OCPF's free reporting software, to prepare and print your campaign finance reports.
    
    
• Once your committee is established, you will need to start reporting your campaign finance activity by filing campaign finance reports with your local election official.  You will need to contact your local election official for your reporting schedule.
  
  
• To prepare the committee's campaign finance reports you can use either the Reporter software or the Form CPF M 102: Municipal Campaign Finance Report   (Editable version)   (Instructions).
  
  
• Additional Help / Information:
  • Campaign Finance Guide: Municipal Ballot Question Committees.
    
    
  • An Overview of Public Resources and Ballot Questions.
    
    
  • OCPF Interpretive Bulletin IB-91-01: The Application of the Campaign Finance Law to the Use of Governmental Resources for Political Purposes.
    
    
  • OCPF Interpretive Bulletin IB-92-02: Activities of Public Officials in Support of or Opposition to Ballot Questions.
    
    
  • Common errors to avoid when filing.
    
    
  • Contribution Limits Chart.
    
    
  • Public Employees and Campaigns: A Fact Sheet.