Forming a CPA Ballot Question Committee

CPA Adoption campaign in LancasterThe Community Preservation Act (CPA) can only be adopted by a municipality through a ballot election - and this means that any advocates that wish to run a local campaign in support of CPA adoption will typically need to register as a Municipal Ballot Question Committee. The Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance, or OCPF, is an independent state agency that administers the state's campaign finance law (Chapter 55C), and they have all the resources that advocates need in order to understand the registration and reporting requirements for local Municipal Ballot Question Committees.

In most cases, local advocates will need to register their CPA adoption campaign as an official committee once the question of CPA has been placed on a local ballot election by the Legislative Body. However, campaign activity before CPA has been placed on the ballot may be subject to the state's campaign finance laws, so we encourage you to reach out to OCPF's toll-free line at 800-462-6273 if you have any questions.

What are the steps for establishing a CPA Ballot Question Committee?

The initial steps required for creating a Municipal Ballot Question Committee are:

  1. Download and complete a Statement of Organization Form (CPF M 101 BQ)
  2. Appoint a Chair and a Treasurer for your committee.
  3. Bring the completed CPF M 101 BQ form to your local election official.
  4. Set up your campaign's Bank Account.
  5. Prepare and file your reports with your local election official (CPF M 102)

What reports are required from a Ballot Question Committee?

The campaign finance reports specified in Step 5 must be filed whether or not money has been raised or expended during the reporting period, and regardless of whether or not CPA passes or fails at the ballot. The following is the schedule for filing reports:

  • Pre-Election Report: Due on or before the 8th day preceding the city or town election at which CPA adoption is on the ballot, complete from the day following the ending date of the last report filed through 10 days before the due date. The activity period is from the day following the date of the last municipal election through 10 days before the due date.
  • 30 Day After Election Report (Town Elections and Special Elections in Cities): Due on or before the 30th day following any town election or a special election in a city, complete from the day following the ending date of the pre-election report through 10 days before the due date. A committee may designate this as a final report if the committee has no cash balance, assets or outstanding liabilities and is shutting down.
  • Year-End Report: Due on or before January 20, complete from the day following the ending date of the last report filed through December 31, for any existing ballot question committee. (Note: This report is only required for committees that still have a cash balance, assets, or outstanding liabilities after filing the 30 Day After Election Report)

Further Resources:

OCPF Campaign Guide for Municipal Ballot Question CommitteesResources for Municipal Ballot Question Committees

OCPF Advisory Opinions & Interpretive Bulletins Related to Municipal Ballot Questions

Office of Campaign and Political Finance Contact Information: