Determination of Contributor Identity

In determining whether the name and residential address are in "substantially the same form" on the documents set forth in 970 CMR 4.05(2) and (3), the following rules shall apply unless additional information submitted with the documents in 970 CMR 4.05(2) and (3) provide clear and convincing evidence regarding the identity of an individual contributor: (1) Amount. The amount of the total contribution reported on the statement of qualifying contributions must equal the amount of the contribution check and the amount reported on the electronic report of deposit for such contribution. (2) Initials. A contributor's name is acceptable without a middle initial such as Jane Smith instead of Jane M. Smith or with a first initial and a middle name such as J. Mary Smith. A contributor's name would not be acceptable with only a first initial such as D. Jones. Titles. The following rules shall apply to the use of initials, numerals and titles in determining whether a contribution shall be certified by the director: (a) Initials or numerals at the end of a last name which identify an individual such as "Jr.", "Sr.", "II", and "III" must appear in a consistent manner on the documents submitted pursuant to 970 CMR 4.05(3). (b) Titles such as "Mr.", "Ms.", "Mrs.", or "Dr." and a last name only, for example Ms. Jones or Dr. Smith would not be acceptable. (4) Signatures. The contribution check must be signed by the contributor or accompanied by a verification card unless the contribution was made on a joint account and has been specifically attributed to one or more of the joint owners of such account in a writing submitted to the candidate at the time the contribution was made in accordance with 970 CMR 1.04(1). A contribution check signed by more than one contributor shall be attributed in equal amounts to each contributor unless accompanied by a verification card.