You might think based on low voter turnouts at local Wellesley elections that residents on the whole have a meh attitude about politics. But the latest report from the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance shows that Wellesley ranks #12 in the state based on per capita contributions to candidates.

Wellesley residents forked over a total of $431K to support candidates last year, according to the independent state agency. That works out to $15.43 per person in our town of nearly 28,000 (based on 2010 Census).

Weston, which has less than half of Wellesley’s population, is #1 per capita at $33.27 per person. The usual suspects — Dover, Newton, etc. — are also among the top 10, according to Office of Campaign and Political Finance, where you can also look up what individuals reported contributing to political campaigns.

The tiny towns of Gosnold and Monroe, both with fewer than 125 residents, were the only communities that did not report any contributions.

You’re not allowed to contribute more than $1,000 per year per candidate, though you can contribute up to $5K per party committee. Pledges of less than $50 don’t have to be itemized.

Overall, the state’s per capita in 2018 was $4.91, and candidates who reported receiving contributions claimed a total of nearly $34 million.

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