In June 2017, prior to the announcement of candidates for public office in Chapel Hill, CHALT formed a political action committee called the Chapel Hill Leadership Political Action Committee. It is a separate entity from CHALT and consists of three people: a treasurer, an assistant treasurer, and a custodian of books. The political action committee’s only function is to raise funds and to make disbursements to support any CHALT election activities.
This Committee was formed to comply with North Carolina election law. The political action committee is registered with the North Carolina State Board of Elections, to whom they will send the required disclosure reports. The types of disbursements include (but are not limited to) yard signs, the printing of election materials in support of the CHALT-endorsed candidates, media advertising, meeting room rentals, and refreshments at campaign events.
The contributions, large and small, paid for the costs of educating the electorate about the candidates and issues and for the materials necessary to get the word out. It is likely that contributions will come from Chapel Hill residents with a Chapel Hill zip code. We do not expect contributions from developers, local organizations, or out of state organizations.
While the CHALT political action committee is allowed by law to contribute up to $353 to a candidate for Chapel Hill elected office, in the 2015 election no such contributions were made to candidates. The State Board of Elections requires that all contributors are listed in the disclosure reports available on their website.
CHALT is a grass roots group that came together and developed a platform for change in 2014 — over 75 interested citizens forged a consensus document. Read more about CHALT’s goals here. We regularly produce a newsletter with timely essays and comment on local issues, and hold public educational forums by noted speakers, all for the purpose of adding thoughtful discourse about the future of our community.