MA H811

Creates new Chapter 55D allowing Massachusetts cities and towns to establish citizen-funded election campaign programs for municipal offices through charter revision, ordinance, or by-law

Requires participating municipalities to establish a "Democracy Trust Fund" administered by the city/town clerk (or election commission where one exists) to provide matching funds to qualifying candidates

Candidates qualify for matching funds by collecting a specified number of contributions of $10 or more from registered voters; contributions up to $50 are matched at double the amount from the Fund

Participating candidates must agree to campaign spending limits set by the local ordinance, with amounts adjusted periodically for cost of living increases

Local provisions must take effect at least one year before the first applicable election, and existing campaign finance laws (Chapter 55) continue to apply where consistent