Legal Resources
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission
   On Jan. 21, 2010, the US Supreme Court issued Citizens United v. FEC.  Although this case has received widespread publicity, its effect in Massachusetts, at this point, can be summarized as follows:  Corporations may not make direct contributions to candidates or political committees, except for ballot question committees.  Corporations may make independent expenditures to support or oppose candidates.  Those independent expenditures shall be disclosed in accordance with Chapter 55, Section 18A.  Read more...

Click here to read the full decision.
Governor Patrick signed Campaign Finance, Ethics & Lobbying Reform Legislation
Chapter 28 of the 2009 Session Laws.

The governor signed into law the Act to Improve the Laws Relating to Campaign Finance, Ethics and Lobbying on July 1, 2009.  The changes to M.G.L. Chapter 55, the campaign finance, took effect January 1, 2010.  The sections of the new law relating to campaign finance, Sections 23 to 59, begin on page 20.

  • Campaign Finance Law
    The Massachusetts general law governing Campaign Finance.

  • Public Financing Law
    The Massachusetts general law governing the limited public financing of campaigns for statewide elective office.

  • OCPF Regulations
    Campaign finance activity regulations promulgated by OCPF.

  • Searchable Legal Database
    A searchable database of all sections of Chapter 55, the Massachusetts campaign finance law, Chapter 55C, the public financing law, and OCPF regulations, interpretive bulletins, memoranda, advisory opinions and guidance letters.

  • Legal Topics
    This is an interactive listing of all of OCPF's advisory opinions and guidance letters, grouped by the legal topic to which they relate.  The main topics are divided into subtopics -- If you click on a topic button, you can view its associated subtopics.  If you click on a subtopic button, you can view all of the advisory opinions and guidance letters associated with that subtopic.

  • Advisory Opinion Index
    OCPF issues opinions concerning prospective activities in response to questions by candidates, committees and the public.  Click here for a chronological index of all AOs issued by OCPF since 1982, with summaries and links to the full text of each opinion.

  • Interpretive Bulletin Index
    OCPF periodically issues and revises bulletins on various topics.  Click here for a chronological index of all IBs, with summaries and links to the full text of each bulletin.

  • Memoranda Index
    OCPF periodically issues and revised memoranda to clarify the application of the Massachusetts campaign finance law to various topics.  Click here for a chronological index of all memoranda, with summaries and links to the full text of each.

  • Issues of Interest
    View a list of items that have warranted special interest by the public.

  • Contribution Limits Chart
    View a chart of the contribution limits to candidates and political committees in Massachusetts.
Legal Questions

OCPF welcomes all inquiries regarding campaign finance activities in Massachusetts.  Individuals may call for informal oral advice or may request a written advisory opinion concerning the specific application of the campaign finance law or OCPF's regulations.  Individuals with information concerning possible violations of the campaign finance laws may file a confidential request for a review with OCPF.