Follow the
Money

Every nonprofit files public tax returns. Every political committee files campaign finance reports. Here's what public records show about the organizations behind Question 4.

Organizations Promoting Question 4

These organizations have provided support, advocacy, or resources for sanctuary-style ballot measures in Massachusetts. All financial data below comes from IRS Form 990 filings and Massachusetts OCPF records.

Coalition for Social Justice

New Bedford, MA — Not a Cape Cod organization

Statewide advocacy organization that has organized ballot question campaigns across Massachusetts. Their political arm has raised $415,000+ across two OCPF-registered ballot committees (2017–2022).

YearRevenueExpenses
2023$46,311$62,461
2022$52,024$54,821
2021$75,789$64,197

Source: IRS Form 990-EZ. OCPF: CSJ 2017-18 ($120K), CSJ Fair Share 2021-22 ($295K).

ACLU of Massachusetts

Boston, MA — National organization

Provided legal framework, model language, and advocacy support for sanctuary-style measures across Massachusetts. The ACLU Foundation of Massachusetts is a well-funded 501(c)(3).

YearRevenueExpenses
2023$6.2M$7.4M
2022$8.3M$7.6M

Source: IRS Form 990. ACLU Foundation of MA only (separate from national).

The Pattern

Sanctuary-style ballot questions have appeared in multiple Massachusetts towns. The pattern is consistent: outside organizations provide the template, funding, and organizational support, while local voters are asked to approve the result.

How Ballot Questions Work in Massachusetts

  • A petition requires signatures from 10% of registered voters who voted in the last state election
  • Petition language can be drafted by anyone — including organizations based outside the town
  • Unlike Town Meeting articles, ballot questions receive no fiscal impact statement
  • Voters see only the ballot language — no context, no cost, no debate
  • If passed, the bylaw is binding and can only be changed by another vote

Compare the Spending

CommitteeOCPF Funds RaisedPeriodBased In
Yarmouth Democratic Town Committee $89,041 All years Yarmouth
CSJ Ballot Committees (combined) $415,118 2017–2022 New Bedford

A New Bedford-based organization has raised more for Yarmouth ballot campaigns than any local committee. These are the groups shaping policy in your town.

Public Records Don't Lie

Every number on this page comes from IRS filings or Massachusetts campaign finance records. These are public documents that anyone can verify.

When outside organizations spend more on ballot campaigns than local party committees have ever raised, it's worth asking: whose agenda is this?

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