How to start a Berkeley campaign committee and file electronically

City Clerk Mark Newmanville walked attendees through the practical steps to create a campaign committee and begin filing.

"You have to create a campaign committee within 10 days of reaching the thousand dollar threshold," Newmanville said, and advised that committees can be established with a $0 balance to set up bank accounts and NetFile entries ahead of raising funds. He explained the clerk's office issues a BRK number and helps new committees register in NetFile so they can file electronically.

Newmanville reviewed forms: candidates file Form 501 (candidate intention) before raising or spending any campaign funds; general-purpose and ballot-measure committees must file Form 410 to provide committee name, treasurer contact and principal officers. He emphasized the practical steps candidates take to get a bank account and to ensure accurate reporting in NetFile.

NetFile, the clerk said, will automatically track and aggregate contributors for itemization purposes, but filers should search for existing contributors in the committee file before adding duplicates.