| Organizing a Candidate's Committee for: |
Candidates for office in a city or town (mayor, city council/alderman, school committee) file campaign
finance reports with their local election officials (city or town clerk or election commission). The
exceptions are mayoral and councilor-at-large candidates in Boston, Cambridge, Lowell, Springfield and
Worcester, who file with OCPF in the Depository system. |
| Step One: Setting Up Your Candidate's Committee with OCPF |
- Appoint a Chairman and a Treasurer for your committee.
- Download and complete the Form CPF M 101: Statement
of organization for a municipal candidate's committee.
- Although your reporting will be done on paper, you may still want to download and install
Reporter 4, OCPF's free reporting software, to prepare
and print your campaign finance reports.
|
| Step Two: Setting Up Your Bank Account |
- Your bank may ask you for a copy of your completed Statement of Organization (CPF M 101).
- Candidates should contact their banks in advance for further information about the bank's
requirements to open a campaign account. Unlike the Depository system, the campaign finance law
does not have any special requirements about the type of account you open and your bank will not have
any campaign finance reporting requirements.
- 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.
- Candidates and 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.
|
| Step Three: Commence Recordkeeping and Reporting |
- Once your committee is established, you will need to start reporting your campaign finance
activity. Your reports will be submitted to your local election official. You will need to
contact your local election official for your reporting schedule.
- You can either use the software to prepare your campaign finance reports or use this form:
CPF M 102: Municipal Campaign Finance Reporting
form. (Instructions).
- Candidates and 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 for Candidates
for Municipal Office.
- Common errors to avoid when
filing.
- Contribution Limits Chart.
- Public Employees and Campaigns: A Fact
Sheet.
- OCPF Memorandum M-90-01: Treatment of
Reimbursements and Loans.
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