The 2026 California Ballot Measures

Prop 1 would allow the state to issue $11.25 billion in bonds for income-qualified housing initiatives, such as the Multifamily Housing Program, CalHome, and the Joe Serna, Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant Program. Currently, around $4 billion is allocated for this fund. If approved, funding would increase to about $11 billion and would also expand the CalVet home loan program. A rejection would keep funding at its current level.

Prop 2 proposes increasing the cap on the Budget Stabilization Account, or Rainy Day Fund, from 10% to 20% of general fund revenue. It would also exclude these deposits from the Gann Limit on state spending. Voting yes allows the state to save more during years of strong revenue, while a no vote maintains the current 10% cap.

Prop 3 aims to make permanent the tax rates on high-income Californians, which were initially approved in 2012 and are set to expire in 2031. These rates continue to allocate 89% of revenue to K-12 schools and 11% to community colleges, with local school boards deciding their spending and administrative costs restricted. Since 2012, these taxes have brought in over $119 billion, averaging around $15 billion annually.

Prop 4 aims to repeal California’s ban on using public funds for campaigns, allowing the state and local governments to establish public financing programs. Currently, only charter cities like Berkeley, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, and San Francisco can do this. Any new program must set spending limits and candidate qualification rules. Public funds cannot cover legal defense costs, fines, or reimbursements for a candidate’s personal loans to their campaign.

Prop 5 removes the successor-election process for state officer recalls. If an official is removed, the position remains vacant until it is filled in accordance with existing constitutional and statutory procedures. Voting yes means no candidate will be chosen on the recall ballot to fill the vacancy. Voting no maintains the current process.

Prop 37 would authorize the California Housing Finance Agency to issue up to $25 billion in bonds to finance second-mortgage loans. To qualify, buyers must have income at or below 200% of the area median for a comparable family size in their county or city, along with a minimum down payment of 3%.

Prop 38 proposes issuing $8.4 billion in general obligation bonds dedicated to immunology and immunotherapy research. At least half of this amount, $4.2 billion, would specifically fund research on cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s. Additionally, it authorizes the state to sign an agreement with a nonprofit immunology research institute within 90 days.

Prop 39 would mandate that voters show a government-issued ID at polling stations or furnish the last four digits of their ID when voting by mail. The state must also offer voter ID cards upon request, and election officials would need to report annually what percentage of their county’s voters have verified citizenship.

Prop 40 proposes a one-time 5% tax on the accumulated wealth of taxpayers and trusts holding covered assets worth over $1 billion, such as stocks, bonds, and other interests. It would apply retroactively to California residents as of January 1, 2026. About 90% of the estimated revenue would fund public health care services, while 10% would go to food assistance and public education.

Prop 41 mandates pre-election audits of ballot initiatives proposing special taxes once sponsors report having collected 25% of the necessary signatures. The audit results would be included in the voter information pamphlet if the initiative qualifies. Additionally, it calls for state audits every four years to evaluate the program’s effectiveness and cost savings.

Prop 42 aims to amend the California Constitution to prohibit any new constitutional provisions after January 1, 2026, from imposing or permitting taxes on personal retirement holdings, assets, and savings, whether held directly or indirectly.

Prop 43 proposes amending the California Constitution to require a two-thirds majority to pass local ballot measures, rather than a simple majority.

Prop 44 mandates that nonprofit federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and FQHC look-alikes allocate at least 90% of their annual revenue to activities supporting their mission. It also authorizes the state Department of Public Health to penalize centers that do not meet this threshold.

Prop 45 proposes amending the California Environmental Quality Act to accelerate environmental reviews for targeted project categories, such as housing, transportation, water, health, and clean energy initiatives.