14 Propositions on California’s November 2026 Ballot Explained

California voters will decide on 14 propositions set to appear on the November ballot, covering issues ranging from voter ID and taxing billionaires to funding affordable housing and healthcare.

Here is an explanation of each of the ballot measures.

Elections

Proposition 4: Repeals prohibition against public funding of election campaigns. If approved, Prop 4 would overturn a 1988 ban on public campaign financing systems. This would allow state and local governments to set aside public funding specifically for political campaigns.

Public campaign financing systems already exist in some charter cities, including Los Angeles and San Francisco, which were exempt from the ban.

In San Francisco, for example, eligible mayoral candidates can receive up to $1.2 million in public funds, and candidates running for the Board of Supervisors can receive up to $255,000. Candidates must also meet specific eligibility requirements and spending limits.

Proposition 5: Changes recall election process for statewide officers. Placed on the ballot by state lawmakers, Prop 5 would delay the election process for a successor in the case of a recall. If the proposition is approved, voters will decide who should fill the vacancy through a special election, or the state may appoint an official depending on the office and timing.

This move would allow the recalled official to run as a candidate during the special election.

Current California law asks voters to decide on two ballot questions during a recall election: whether the incumbent should be recalled, and if so, who should succeed him or her. Prop 5 would remove the second question about a successor. California is one of seven states that simultaneously hold recall elections with the election of a successor.

Proposition 39: Prohibits citizens from voting unless they present government-issued identification. If approved, the proposition will require voters to show proof of citizenship by presenting a government-issued ID to vote at the polls. Mail-in ballots would require the last four digits of a government ID.

Current California law requires those who have an ID card and Social Security number to provide these to register to vote, but does not request identification verification at polling stations.

Prop 39 was at the center of a brief court battle over a last-minute title and description change after the initiative qualified for the November ballot. The court eventually ruled that the change was reasonable.

Taxes

Proposition 3: Provides permanent funding for schools and healthcare by extending existing tax on high incomes. If approved, the increased income tax rate for top earners residing in the state that has been in place since 2012 would become permanent. The taxes would fund education, healthcare, and other state programs.

The current income tax rates, ranging from 10.3 percent for single-filers earning more than $371,000 to 12.3 percent for those earning over $743,000, are set to expire in 2031.

Proposition 40: Imposes one-time tax on certain taxpayers. Often dubbed the billionaire tax, it would require residents with a net worth of $1 billion or more to pay a one-time 5 percent tax on top of existing taxes. The money would be used primarily to fund healthcare.

However, Prop 40 would be nullified if either Proposition 41 or 42 receives enough votes.

Proposition 41: Prohibits new state taxes that exclude revenues from state spending limit. If approved, it would nullify state taxes passed after Jan. 1, 2026, if they don’t comply with the voter-approved state spending limit. It would also require the state auditor to review all proposals for new special taxes before they appear on the ballot.

Proposition 42: Prohibits new state personal property taxes and certain retroactive state taxes. If it’s approved, the state cannot create new taxes imposed on personal property or new taxes that apply retroactively.

Prop 42 would also nullify taxes passed after Jan. 1, 2026, that conflict with this measure.

Proposition 43: Limits voters’ ability to raise revenues for local government services. If the measure is approved, it will be harder to approve or increase local special taxes. Such tax changes would require a two-thirds voter approval rather than the current 50 percent.

State Policies

Proposition 1: Authorizes bonds for housing affordability programs. If approved, it will allow the state to borrow $11.25 billion to fund various affordable housing programs for veterans, seniors, people with disabilities, low-income families, and others.

Proposition 2: Increases state’s Rainy Day Fund. This measure would require the state to make deposits in its rainy day reserve until the balance equals 20 percent of its General Fund tax revenue, an increase from the current 10 percent requirement. Prop 2 would also require the state to spend more of its revenue to pay down its debt through 2040.

Proposition 45: Modifies environmental review for certain projects. If the measure is approved, the environmental review process could be expedited for certain projects deemed essential. Prop 45 would allow a hearing or potentially a lawsuit if an agency fails to meet the 365-business-day time limit for reviews, and it would reduce the scope of what can be considered when resolving lawsuits.

Housing

Proposition 37: Creates loan program for middle-income buyers of qualified new homes. If the measure is approved, the state will create an assistance program to help buyers of newly constructed homes. The state could sell up to $25 billion in bonds, which would be paid back by homeowners through their home loan payments.

Healthcare

Proposition 38: Authorizes bonds for immunology medical research. If approved, it would authorize the state to borrow $8.4 billion to fund medical research on immunology and immunotherapy. The loan would potentially raise state costs by about $500 million to $600 million annually for about 20 years.

Proposition 44: Requires community health clinics spend 90 percent of revenue on program services. The measure would require certain private nonprofit health clinics to spend 90 percent of their annual revenue on patient care. Clinics that fail to comply would be fined by the state.