In the city of Manchester, the City Charter provides the basic framework for the financial reporting obligations of all political candidates and political committees during any municipal election. While the charter does not place limitations on campaign contributions or expenditures, each candidate and each political committee with combined contributions or combined expenditures equal to or exceeding five hundred dollars ($500) shall file a disclosure report with the City Clerk within ten (10) days immediately preceding and ten (10) days immediately proceeding a municipal election. Each incumbent official with combined contributions or combined expenditures equal to or exceeding five hundred dollars ($500) in any quarter of the calendar year must also file the same report within thirty (30) days of the end of each calendar quarter.
The Campaign Contributions Disclosure and Campaign Expenditures Disclosure reports shall be itemized, signed and sworn to either by the incumbent, the candidate or by the candidate’s campaign chairman or treasurer, as applicable, showing each receipt, regardless of amount, with the full name and address of the contributor and the amount of the contribution made up to the date of the initial report or made since the date of the last report. The report shall also show each expenditure with the full name and address of persons, corporations, committees, or whomever was paid or is to be paid, with the specific nature of the amount of each expenditure made up to the date of the initial report or made since the date of the last report.
Any candidate whose contributions or expenditures are less than five hundred dollars ($500) shall file a signed, notarized statement to that effect. Each incumbent official with combined contributions or combined expenditures less than five hundred dollars ($500) shall file a disclosure report with the City Clerk within ten (10) days immediately preceding and immediately following a municipal election. Incumbents must also file the same report in each quarter of the calendar year within thirty (30) days of the end of each calendar quarter.
Candidates shall not be entitled to nomination or election until the required sworn itemized report or statement has been filed on their behalf. All reports, statements, written consents and registrations filed by candidates, political committees, and political committees of political parties shall be open to the public.
Once elected, all city officials (Mayor, Aldermen, School Committee members, and the Welfare Commissioner) are required to complete an additional financial disclosure form disclosing their own individual business and financial relationships, employment, and financial holdings annually with the City Clerk by January 15.
All disclosure reports and accompanying itemization sheets are available below:
Campaign Financial Reports
All filing requirements are subject to the penalty provisions as set forth in the charter. If you have any questions or need additional assistance, contact us at 603-624-6455 or by email at elections@manchesternh.gov.