California voters will decide 14 statewide propositions in 2026 on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot. Summaries below stick to the certified ballot language — no editorializing.
California propositions pass with a simple majority. Proposition numbers were assigned by the Secretary of State on June 29, 2026.
Proposition 1: The Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026
Bond issue (legislative referral, SB 417)
Authorize $11.25 billion in general obligation bonds: $10 billion to fund affordable rental housing and homeownership programs, and $1.25 billion for farm, home, and mobilehome purchase assistance for veterans.
A yes vote
Supports authorizing $11.25 billion in state general obligation bonds, with $10 billion for affordable rental housing and homeownership programs and $1.25 billion for veterans' farm, home, and mobilehome purchase assistance.
A no vote
Opposes the bond issue, leaving these programs without the new bond funding.
Change how much the state must deposit into the Budget Stabilization Account (rainy-day fund), raise the cap on the account's balance from 10% to 20% of General Fund tax proceeds, and exclude reserve deposits from the state spending limit.
A yes vote
Supports changing required deposits into the state's rainy-day fund, raising the cap on its balance from 10% to 20% of General Fund tax proceeds, and excluding reserve deposits from the state spending limit.
A no vote
Keeps the current deposit rules and 10% cap on the Budget Stabilization Account.
Proposition 3: Provides Permanent Funding for Schools and Healthcare by Extending Existing Tax on High Incomes
Initiated constitutional amendment
Make permanent the existing 2012 voter-approved tax rates on high incomes, currently set to expire in 2031. Allocates the revenues 89% to K-12 schools and 11% to community colleges, with local school boards deciding how revenues are spent.
A yes vote
Supports making permanent the 2012 voter-approved tax rates on high incomes now set to expire in 2031, with revenues allocated 89% to K-12 schools and 11% to community colleges.
A no vote
Opposes the extension, letting those tax rates expire in 2031 as scheduled under current law.
Proposition 4: California Fair Elections Act of 2026 (Public Campaign Financing)
State statute (legislative referral, SB 42)
Allow public funds to be used for campaign financing when candidates abide by expenditure limits and strict qualifying criteria, and increase penalties for prohibited foreign contributions in connection with ballot measures and elections.
A yes vote
Supports allowing public funds for campaign financing when candidates accept spending limits and strict qualifying criteria, and increasing penalties for prohibited foreign contributions in connection with ballot measures and elections.
A no vote
Keeps current law, which does not provide this public campaign financing framework.
Eliminate the successor election when a state officer is recalled, leaving the office vacant until filled under the Constitution and state law; if the Governor is recalled, the Lieutenant Governor becomes Governor for the remainder of the term.
A yes vote
Supports eliminating the successor election when a state officer is recalled, leaving the office vacant until filled under existing law, with the Lieutenant Governor finishing the term if a Governor is recalled.
A no vote
Keeps the current recall process, in which voters choose a successor on the same recall ballot.
Proposition 37: Creates Loan Program for Middle-Income Buyers of Qualified New Homes
Initiated state statute
Authorize up to $25 billion in bonds to offer eligible buyers fixed-rate second mortgages for up to 17% of the purchase price of a qualified new home. Bonds are repaid by homeowners' mortgage payments, not the State.
A yes vote
Supports authorizing up to $25 billion in bonds to fund fixed-rate second mortgages of up to 17% of the purchase price for eligible middle-income buyers of qualified new homes, repaid by homeowners' mortgage payments rather than the State.
A no vote
Opposes creating the bond-funded home loan program.
Proposition 38: Authorizes Bonds for Immunology Research
Initiated state statute
Authorize $8.4 billion in state general obligation bonds for immunology and immunotherapy research, split between a University of California-affiliated nonprofit research institute and a grant program for public or nonprofit universities and institutions.
A yes vote
Supports authorizing $8.4 billion in state general obligation bonds for immunology and immunotherapy research at a University of California-affiliated nonprofit institute and through grants to public or nonprofit universities and institutions.
Proposition 39: Establishes Additional Voter Identification and Citizenship Verification Requirements
Initiated constitutional amendment
Require voters to present government-issued identification at the polls (or the last four digits of a government-issued ID number when voting by mail), require the State to provide voter ID cards on request, and require officials to annually report citizenship-verification rates.
A yes vote
Supports requiring government-issued identification at the polls (or the last four digits of a government-issued ID number for mail ballots), state-provided voter ID cards on request, and annual reporting of citizenship-verification rates.
A no vote
Keeps California's current voter identification and verification rules unchanged.
Proposition 40: Imposes One-Time Tax on Certain Individuals and Trusts
Initiated constitutional amendment and statute
Impose a one-time tax of up to 5% on taxpayers and trusts with covered assets valued over $1 billion, allocating 90% of the revenues to health care and 10% to food assistance or education-related programs.
A yes vote
Supports imposing a one-time tax of up to 5% on taxpayers and trusts with covered assets valued over $1 billion, with 90% of revenues for health care and 10% for food assistance or education-related programs.
Proposition 41: Requires Audits of Programs Funded by New State Special Taxes
Initiated constitutional amendment
Require pre-election and recurring audits of programs funded by new statewide special taxes, and prohibit new state taxes enacted after January 1, 2026 that exclude their revenues from the existing voter-approved state spending limit.
A yes vote
Supports requiring pre-election and recurring audits of programs funded by new statewide special taxes, and prohibiting new state taxes that exclude their revenues from the voter-approved state spending limit.
A no vote
Keeps current law, which does not require these audits or impose that restriction.
Proposition 42: Prohibits New State Personal Property Taxes and Certain Retroactive State Taxes
Initiated constitutional amendment
Prohibit any new state tax on the ownership or control of personal property (including retirement accounts, financial assets, and business interests) or that applies retroactively, for taxes enacted or taking effect on or after January 1, 2026.
A yes vote
Supports prohibiting new state taxes on the ownership or control of personal property, including retirement accounts, financial assets, and business interests, and barring retroactive state taxes enacted or taking effect from 2026 on.
A no vote
Keeps the state's existing constitutional rules on what taxes may be enacted.
Beginning January 1, 2027, require two-thirds voter approval for local special taxes, including those proposed by citizen initiative, and prohibit local ad valorem property taxes except as provided under existing constitutional provisions.
A yes vote
Supports requiring two-thirds voter approval for local special taxes, including those proposed by citizen initiative, beginning in 2027, and prohibiting local ad valorem property taxes except as already provided in the constitution.
A no vote
Keeps the current voter-approval rules for local special taxes.
Proposition 44: Requires Community Health Clinics Spend 90% of Revenue on Program Services
Initiated state statute
Require nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Centers to spend at least 90% of their revenue on program services advancing their charitable purpose rather than management and overhead, with monetary penalties for noncompliance.
A yes vote
Supports requiring nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Centers to spend at least 90% of revenue on program services advancing their charitable purpose rather than management and overhead, with monetary penalties for noncompliance.
A no vote
Keeps current law, which sets no such 90% spending requirement.
Proposition 45: Modifies Environmental Review for Certain Projects
Initiated state statute
Amend the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to expedite environmental review of specified project categories (including most housing, transportation, water, health, and clean energy projects), setting deadlines for review and limiting court review of project approvals.
A yes vote
Supports amending CEQA to expedite environmental review for specified project categories, including most housing, transportation, water, health, and clean energy projects, with deadlines for review and limits on court review of approvals.
A no vote
Keeps the current CEQA review process and court review rules unchanged.
Titles and summaries come from official government sources (the California Secretary of State and Attorney General). Measure lists can change until final certification — always confirm with your state election office. Last reviewed July 9, 2026.
