Senate Passes Common Cause – Led Bipartisan Ballot Spending Transparency Act

Senate Passes Common Cause – Led Bipartisan Ballot Spending Transparency Act 

The bill empowers voters, requires real-time reports on spending 

 

BOSTON, MA – Yesterday, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed the Ballot Spending Transparency Act (H.868/ S.507), landmark legislation championed by Common Cause Massachusetts to strengthen disclosure requirements for spending on statewide ballot questions. The bill’s passage marks a major victory for transparency and reflects sustained efforts by Common Cause Massachusetts to close one of the state’s most significant campaign finance reporting loopholes. 

 

“Massachusetts voters deserve to know, in real time, who is funding the ballot questions that will impact their lives,” said Geoff Foster, Common Cause’s Massachusetts Executive Director.  “Under our current system, special interests can funnel millions of dollars behind issue campaigns without the public knowing for months. The Senate’s passage of the Ballot Spending Transparency Act moves Massachusetts closer to a democracy where voters - not unknown special interests - decide our future.” 

 

Common Cause Massachusetts initially raised concerns about the state’s lax ballot spending disclosure requirements. Under current law, special interests can pour millions of dollars into elections without public scrutiny during an eight month ‘unmonitored’ window during an election year. Through research, coalition advocacy, and direct engagement with lawmakers, the organization advanced the bipartisan Ballot Spending Transparency Act filed by Senator Sal DiDomenico and State Representative Daniel Ryan to ensure voters have timely information about who is trying to influence public policy at the ballot box.  

 

“Statewide ballot questions are a great tool for empowering the public to vote directly on statewide policies, but it is vitally important that our voters know which people and organizations are funding these policy proposals,” said Sen. Sal DiDomenico (D-Everett), lead sponsor of the Senate bill. “I am proud to have worked with Common Cause to pass my legislation through the Senate, which will close a loophole in our campaign finance law and ensure our residents have all the information they need to make an educated decision when voting on ballot measures.” 

 

The effort also landed the endorsement from the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts.

 

"The importance of having voters be able to access up-to-date financial data regarding what is on their ballot cannot be understated," said Celia Canavan, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts. "The Senate's passage of the Ballot Spending Transparency Act is more than just a good governance reform: it brings us closer to allowing voters the tools they need to hold power accountable."

 

Massachusetts consistently ranks among the states raising the highest dollar amounts for ballot questions, and the state spends more than the national average on ballot question campaigns. Over the past 10 years, or six election cycles, Massachusetts ballot campaigns have raised over $340 million, averaging $57 million each election cycle.  $123 million, or 36% of all contributions, were received during the unmonitored eight-month window.  

 

By advocating for this legislation, Common Cause Massachusetts is empowering voters by securing stronger transparency for ballot campaign contributions and expenditures influencing statewide public policy. 

 

The Ballot Spending Transparency Act now awaits consideration by the Massachusetts House of Representatives.