The following resources provide campaigns with supplemental information on specific campaign-related topics. They do not replace or supersede the Campaign Finance Act, CFB Rules, or Handbook. If you have additional questions, contact your Candidate Services liaison.
2023 Elections: What You Need to Know about Public Funds Payments
This guidance document provides important information about the requirements and deadlines to be eligible for both pre- and post-ballot payments in the 2023 election cycle, the timing of payments, public funds withholdings, and compliance issues that could make you ineligible to receive public funds. If you were a candidate in the 2021 election cycle, you can find the guidance document for the 2021 cycle here.
C-SMART Help
C-SMART Help provides assistance on entering transactions, uploading documentation, running reports, and submitting disclosure statements in C-SMART. Each document is focused on a specific function and contains step-by-step instructions and descriptions.
Certified Statements of Need
This Guide covers when a Certified Statement of Need is required and contains detailed instructions to help you successfully complete and submit it.
Cessation of Ongoing Disclosure
This guidance document provides information about the ongoing filing requirements and the steps candidates must take to cease ongoing disclosure with the CFB.
Childcare Expenditures Guide
Following the enactment of Local Law 196/2018, certain expenditures made by candidates for the care of children for whom they are a primary childcare provider are considered campaign-related and exempt from the applicable expenditure limit up to $20,000. This guide covers the steps you need to take to be in compliance when making these expenditures.
Consultant and Vendor Guide
This guide demonstrates best practices for the consultants and vendors that regularly work for campaigns. Use the sections in the guide to find details on the types of documentation that campaigns will request, as well as links to template and sample documents.
Credit Card Contributions
There are specific reporting, recordkeeping and processor requirements that must be met prior to setting up a credit card platform other than NYC Votes Contribute. Your credit card processor must comply with the CFB's requirements to ensure that your contributions may be matched with public funds.
Doing Business FAQ
New York City has stringent restrictions on contributions from individuals doing business with the city. Learn more about these anti-“pay to play” regulations in the FAQ.
Guide to Filing Day
In anticipation of the next disclosure statement filing, your campaign should regularly enter data and upload documentation to C-SMART. Use this checklist to guide you through procedures and best practices prior to filing.
Introduction to Compliance Visits
This video helps prepare you for a compliance visit with the CFB. Learn what to expect, what to have on hand, and other information that will ensure a productive visit.
Invalid Matching Claims (IMC) Codes
These codes are used by CFB auditors when evaluating a campaign’s matching funds claims. This guide provides a description of each of the invalid matching claims codes that a campaign could receive and explains how to respond to them.
New to the CFB Web Series
If you are interested in running for city office, we encourage you to watch our entire New to the CFB web series. This five-part series gives a broad overview of the work of the CFB, and provides information on how to start and run your campaign under New York City campaign finance regulations.
NYC Votes Contribute User Guide
This guide explains how to sign up for and use NYC Votes Contribute, the credit card contributions platform created by the CFB, including C-SMART data and documentation upload and the contributor’s experience.
Political Consultants Who Work for Both Candidates and Independent Spenders
Political consultants must be aware of potential campaign finance violations that may arise for them and their clients when they choose to work for both candidates and independent spenders simultaneously. Doing work for both types of clients can lead to violations of the Act and Rules by candidates, independent spenders, and consultants. This guidance is to provide information to consultants on when their work may cause issues for their clients and themselves.
Ranked Choice Voting — Compliance Guide
Starting in 2021, NYC will use Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) in special and primary elections for local offices. This guide provides compliance information for candidates running in an RCV election.
Restrictions on the Use of Government Resources
The New York City Charter contains provisions restricting the use of government resources by public servants.
Transfers
A transfer is an exchange of funds between two committees authorized by the same candidate. Along with the required documentation, transfers and their associated costs must be reported with the next disclosure statement due after the transfer takes place.