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Notes for First-Time Users

Searching and Viewing Campaign Finance Data

There are several options for viewing the campaign finance data filed with OCPF on the Public tab of the navigation menu.  Report data is available for review in the following formats:
  • The entire database of contribution and expenditure information can be reviewed using the "Search Contributions" and "Search Expenditures" functions;

  • Individual reports filed by Massachusetts candidates and political committees can be viewed using the "Search Reports" option.  You can select which type of report to view by clicking on the report category on the left navigation menu.

  • The data filed on the EFS is also displayed on several analysis pages, such as the PAC Reports page and the Legislative Races page.  The analysis pages group reports and report information by legislative districts, special elections, or statewide ballot questions so that the campaign finance spending for a particular seat or question can be viewed in one place.

  • Here is a directory of the Public tab menu options:

    • Home - Clicking on this link will return you to this page.

    • Search Contributions - For searching all contribution information for all e-filers.

    • Search Expenditures - For searching all expenditure information, including reimbursement, committee credit card and subvendor items, for all e-filers.

    • Search Reports - To view individual reports filed, click on the desired report type under the Reports menu option.

    • Last Results - When you conduct a search of contributions, expenditures or reports, the last page of search results displayed is held in memory for the duration of your EFS session.  You can return to the results at any time to review the information.  This link is not permanently saved, however; once you end your EFS session, the link and page are dropped.

    • Report Log - For viewing a chronilogical listing of every report filed on the EFS.

    • Registered Filer List - For viewing a listing of all candidates and committee who file reports with OCPF.

    • Recently Organized - For viewing a chronilogical list of the most recently organized political committees.

    • Legislative Races - For viewing campaign spending information by legislative district.

    • Special Elections - For viewing campaign spending information for special election races to fill vacancies in the House or Senate.

    • PAC Reports - For viewing the most recent campaign spending information by political action committees.

    • Depository Reports - For viewing campaign spending information by statewide office, by county or by municipality.

    • Ballot Quest. (Question) Reports - For viewing campaign spending information of statewide ballot question committees, by year.

    • Indep. (Independent) Expenditures - For viewing reports of independent expenditures made in support or opposition to one or more candidates, by year.

    • Elec. (Electioneering) Communications - For viewing reports of expenditures made for publicly disseminated communications that clearly identify a candidate for election, near the time of the election.

    • Log-In - For logging into the Web Reporter online campaign finance reporting application.

    • Help - Clicking on this link will open a help file for the page you are currently viewing.
Using Web Reporter
Web Reporter is the online reporting tool that allows banks, candidates and committees to complete and electronically file campaign finance reports on the Internet, without having to download and install additional software on their computers.  Please visit the Web Reporter help section.

Logging-In to Web Reporter:

To log-in to Web Reporter, you can either click on the Log-In menu selection on the Public tab or click on the Web Reporter tab at the top of the left navigation menu.  If you experience any difficulty logging in, follow the steps below:

  • Check to make sure that you are entering your CPF ID number and password correctly:

    • Your CPF ID number is five numbers; no letters or special characters should be entered in this field

    • Your default password is eight characters, letters or numbers only;  There should not be any special characters or spaces.

  • Set you web browser to allow cookie handling from the EFS website.  For example, Internet Explorer users would:

    • Open the Internet Explorer web browser and go to Tools --> Internet Options,

    • On the Security Tab, click on the Trusted Sites icon and then click on the Sites button,

    • Add this website to the zone: http://www.efs.cpf.state.ma.us ,

    • On the Privacy Tab, set your Internet zone to Medium,

    • On the Privacy Tab, click the Sites button,

    • Enter this website: http://www.efs.cpf.state.ma.us and click the Allow button.
If you continue to experience log-in difficulties, contact OCPF at (617) 979-8300 for further assistance.

Filing an Independent Expenditure or Electioneering Communications Report:

If you need to e-file an independent expenditure (18A) report or an electioneering communication (18F) report, you should visit OCPF's Website (www.mass.gov/ocpf).  Links for filing each type of report can be found under the "Electronic Filing" menu selection.


Other Help Available
EFS search tips and Web Reporter information are available here, under the Help menu selection, and on OCPF's website, under the Electronic Filing menu selection.