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Your November 3 ballot

ProConWiki never tells you how to vote. Each measure below shows what the official voter guide says it does, then the evidence people cite on each side.

County: San Francisco Orange County Alameda County Santa Clara County

Proposition 1 · Proposition 2 · Proposition 3 · Proposition 4 · Proposition 5 · Proposition 37 · Proposition 38 · Proposition 39 · Proposition 40 · Proposition 41 · Proposition 42 · Proposition 43 · Proposition 44 · Proposition 45 · Regional Measure RTM (San Francisco Bay Area) · Measure I (Dublin Unified School District) · Measure J (San Lorenzo Unified School District) · Measure K (Sunol Glen Unified School District) · Measure L (City of Alameda) · Measure M (City of Alameda) · Measure N (City of Alameda) · Measure O (Albany) · Measure P (Albany) · Measure Q (Albany) · Measure R (Albany) · Measure S (Albany) · Measure T (Albany) · Measure U (Berkeley) · Measure V (Berkeley) · Measure W (Berkeley) · Measure X (Berkeley) · Measure Y (Berkeley) · Measure Z (Berkeley) · Measure AA (Berkeley) · Measure BB (Emeryville) · Measure CC (Hayward) · Measure DD (Newark) · Measure EE (Oakland) · Measure FF (Oakland) · Measure GG (Piedmont) · Measure HH (Pleasanton) · Measure II (Union City)

How to vote

Your ballot at a glance

Aldo's short version: one line per measure, quoted from the official text. Tap through for the full information on each. Local measures are listed for the whole county; your ballot carries only the ones for where you live.

  1. Proposition 1YES: The state could borrow $11.25 billion to support veterans and affordable housing. NO: The state could not borrow $11.25 billion to support veterans and affordable housing.Full information · Evidence on both sides
  2. Proposition 2YES: Rules for building state budget reserves and paying down extra state debts would change. As a result, state budget reserves would be higher. The state also would be required to make extra debt payments for longer. NO: Rules for building state budget reserves and paying down extra state debts would not change.Full information · Evidence on both sides
  3. Proposition 3YES: An income tax increase on high-income earners in place since 2012 would become permanent instead of expiring in 2031. NO: An income tax increase on high-income earners in place since 2012 would expire in 2031.Full information · Evidence on both sides
  4. Proposition 4YES: State and local governments could create public campaign financing programs for public office candidates, subject to limits on which public funds could be used, how the public funds could be used, and who could receive them. NO: State and most local governments would remain unable to create public campaign finance programs for public office candidates.Full information · Evidence on both sides
  5. Proposition 5YES: Recall elections would no longer include a question about who should fill the vacancy. Instead, vacancies typically would be filled through special elections or appointments, depending on the office and timing. NO: Voters would continue to be asked who should fill the vacancy as part of recall elections.Full information · Evidence on both sides
  6. Proposition 37YES: The state would create a new homebuying assistance program. The state could sell up to $25 billion in revenue bonds to fund the program. Bonds would be paid back by homeowners' payments on their home loans. NO: The state would not be required to create a new homebuying assistance program.Full information · Evidence on both sides
  7. Proposition 38YES: The state could borrow $8.4 billion to support medical research in immunology and immunotherapy conducted by California research institutes and universities. NO: The state could not borrow $8.4 billion to support medical research in immunology and immunotherapy conducted by California research institutes and universities.Full information · Evidence on both sides
  8. Proposition 39YES: Voters would be required to present additional identifying information to elections officials each time they vote. NO: A voter's identity would continue to be established with the voter's signature.Full information · Evidence on both sides
  9. Proposition 40YES: The state would collect a one-time tax from billionaires equal to 5 percent of their wealth. NO: The state would not collect a one-time tax from billionaires equal to 5 percent of their wealth.Full information · Evidence on both sides
  10. Proposition 41YES: When special taxes are proposed by voter initiatives, the California State Auditor would review programs funded by the tax before the initiative appears on the ballot. The California State Auditor also would regularly review programs funded by special taxes approved by voters or the Legislature. In addition, the state might not be able to exclude any new special tax spending from its spending limit. NO: The California State Auditor's responsibility to review government programs would not change. The state spending limit requirements would not change.Full information · Evidence on both sides
  11. Proposition 42YES: The state could not establish new taxes on the ownership of financial assets or other personal property. NO: The state would continue to have the option to establish new taxes on the ownership of financial assets or other personal property.Full information · Evidence on both sides
  12. Proposition 43YES: Certain local government taxes would require two-thirds approval by voters. NO: Certain local government taxes could continue to be approved by voters with a majority vote.Full information · Evidence on both sides
  13. Proposition 44YES: Certain private nonprofit health care clinics would have to spend at least 90 percent of their revenue each year on providing health care services. NO: The new requirement on health care clinic spending would not go into effect.Full information · Evidence on both sides
  14. Proposition 45YES: Certain public and private projects would be eligible for new project review and court challenge procedures. For example, new procedures would tighten time limits for environmental review and reduce the scope of what courts can consider when reviewing legal challenges. NO: Public and private projects would continue to use existing project review and court challenge procedures.Full information · Evidence on both sides
  15. Regional Measure RTM (San Francisco Bay Area)Regional Transit MeasureFull information · Evidence on both sides
  16. Measure I (Dublin Unified School District)The ballot asks: "Shall the measure to support quality education, provide local funding that cannot be taken by the State, maintain small class sizes, attract/retain quality teachers, and provide enhanced science, technology, engineering, visual and performing arts, reading, writing, and math programs, by renewing the expiring $96 school parcel tax, adding $48 per parcel, providing approximately $2,900,000 annually for nine years, with senior exemptions, annual inflation adjustments, independent oversight, and all funds locally controlled, be adopted?"Full information · Evidence on both sides
  17. Measure J (San Lorenzo Unified School District)The ballot asks: To renew expiring local school funding without increasing current tax rates; support academic excellence and programs in reading, writing, math, arts, science and technology; attract and retain highly qualified teachers and staff; and continue stable, local funding the State cannot take away; shall San Lorenzo Unified School District's measure be adopted, renewing its expiring $99 parcel tax for 12 years, providing approximately $1.8 million annually, with senior exemptions, citizen oversight, and no funds for district administrators?Full information · Evidence on both sides
  18. Measure K (Sunol Glen Unified School District)The ballot asks: To improve the quality of local education; complete the Main Building retrofit and renovation; replace deteriorating plumbing, electrical, sewer, heating and ventilation systems; and modernize and upgrade old classrooms and restrooms; shall Sunol Glen Unified School District's measure be adopted authorizing $6,100,000 of bonds at legal rates, generating on average $431,700 annually while bonds are outstanding at approximate rates of $35 per $100,000 assessed value, with audits, citizens' oversight, no money for salaries and funds staying local?Full information · Evidence on both sides
  19. Measure L (City of Alameda)The ballot asks: SAFER Alameda Act - Preparing Alameda for SeaLevel Rise, Accidents, Flooding, Earthquakes, Resilience. To prepare for emergencies, earthquakes and sea-level rise; prevent flooded Tubes; repair potholes; keep streets safe and accessible; maintain response to fires, accidents, and medical emergencies; prevent Bay pollution; and protect shorelines; shall the City of Alameda measure issuing $300,000,000 in bonds, levying $49/$100,000 of assessed value, generating approximately $19,000,000 annually while bonds are outstanding, requiring oversight, public disclosures, and local control, be adopted?Full information · Evidence on both sides
  20. Measure M (City of Alameda)The ballot asks: Proposed City Charter Amendment Ballot Measure Shall the measure amending City Charter Sections 2-1.1, 2-3, 2-10, 3-7(G), 3-14, 7-2(J), 8-2, 8-5, 10-3, 10-6, 10-7, 10-12, 12-4(A) and (B), 14-1, 17-10, 28-2, 28-3 and 28-4, and repealing Sections 12-3(D) and 23-3 to conform to existing practices and amend and repeal outdated provisions be adopted?Full information · Evidence on both sides
  21. Measure N (City of Alameda)The ballot asks: Proposed City Charter Amendment Ballot Measure Shall the measure amending Section 3-10 of the City Charter to change sales or leases of City real property exceeding one year to be approved by resolution rather than by ordinance and to reduce the City Council approval threshold from supermajority four affirmative votes to simple majority three affirmative votes for leases of City real property not exceeding ten years be adopted?Full information · Evidence on both sides
  22. Measure O (Albany)The ballot asks: Shall the measure authorizing the Albany City Council to amend the residential voter requirements for zoning changes to the R-1 zoned areas of the City established by Measure D (enacted by the Albany voters in 1978), without majority neighborhood voter approval, after following noticed public hearing and zoning ordinance amendment procedures prescribed by State Law and the Albany Municipal Code, be adopted?Full information · Evidence on both sides
  23. Measure P (Albany)The ballot asks: Shall the measure updating the Street Paving and Storm Drain Special Tax, by adding very low-income rebates and low-income tax exemptions and rebates; applying the tax to possessory interests; and if a parcel over 500,000 square feet becomes exempt from this tax, adjusting the rate from $167.65 per equivalent residential unit to $0.0638 per lot square foot as provided in the measure, providing an estimated $1,400,000 annually until ended by voters, be adopted?Full information · Evidence on both sides
  24. Measure Q (Albany)The ballot asks: Shall the measure updating the Emergency Medical Services, Advanced Life Support, and Fire Protection Special Tax on residential and commercial property, by adding low-income tax exemptions and rebates, and adjusting the rate from $0.0807 per square foot to the new rates as provided in the measure if a parcel over 500,000 square feet in size becomes exempt from this tax, providing an estimated $2,500,000 annually until ended by voters, be adopted?Full information · Evidence on both sides
  25. Measure R (Albany)The ballot asks: Shall the measure supporting City of Albany general services, such as fire protection, public safety, environmental and community service programs, by increasing the City's business license tax to those rates specified in the measure, levying the tax upon business gross receipts instead of number of employees, and updating local tax collection procedures, providing an estimated additional $600,000 annually, until ended by voters, with all funds remaining local which cannot be taken by Sacramento be adopted?Full information · Evidence on both sides
  26. Measure S (Albany)The ballot asks: To support City of Albany general services, with funding that cannot be taken by Sacramento, including: street and park maintenance, recreation, public safety, and environmental programs, shall a measure adjusting the City's real property transfer tax rate from $15.00 to between $10.00 and $30.00 per $1,000 purchased, depending upon the property's purchase price, providing an additional $1,000,000 annually, until ended by voters, with all funds remaining local be adopted?Full information · Evidence on both sides
  27. Measure T (Albany)The ballot asks: Shall the measure to enact a special parcel tax on non-exempt property in the City at $0.0354 per lot square foot to maintain and improve public street trees and streetlighting to enhance local safety and sustainability, subject to an annual consumer price index adjustment up to 3%, exempting qualifying low-income residents, providing an estimated $775,000 annually until ended by voters, be adopted?Full information · Evidence on both sides
  28. Measure U (Berkeley)The ballot asks: Shall the measure authorizing issuance of $300,000,000 in general obligation bonds to fund acquisition and improvement of fire stations, emergency response facilities, parks and recreation facilities, and other public infrastructure and facilities, and increase climate resiliency, subject to independent oversight and audits, be adopted?Full information · Evidence on both sides
  29. Measure V (Berkeley)The ballot asks: Shall the measure levying a 0.5% sales tax in Berkeley, increasing the total sales tax rate in the City to 10.75%, estimated to generate $9,000,000 to $10,000,000 annually, with proceeds placed into the General Fund for general City uses, including but not limited to sustaining fire, police and 911 dispatch services, youth and senior services, and community programs, until ended by the voters, with independent audits, be adopted?Full information · Evidence on both sides
  30. Measure W (Berkeley)The ballot asks: Shall the measure amending the City Charter to reduce candidate filing fees; eliminate signatures in lieu of filing fee process; eliminate certain personal information from candidate statements; clarify and revise initiative, referendum and recall processes; amend election timelines for filling Mayor and Councilmember vacancies; increase the maximum amount from the public campaign financing fund for administration and enforcement from $250,000 to $400,000 per four-year election cycle; and make other changes be adopted?Full information · Evidence on both sides
  31. Measure X (Berkeley)The ballot asks: Shall the measure to amend the Rent Stabilization and Eviction for Just Cause Ordinance by making most rent control and registration exemptions inapplicable to units that were not exempt when the current tenancy began; allowing modification or waiver of fees for subsidized units owned or leased by nonprofits; changing the annual registration deadline; limiting annual rent increases to ten percent; and allowing tenant associations in smaller properties, be adopted?Full information · Evidence on both sides
  32. Measure Y (Berkeley)The ballot asks: Shall the measure creating a special parcel tax to fund grants for performing arts organizations, art projects, art organization operational and programmatic expenses and capital projects, community festivals, and administrative costs, with oversight by the City's Civic Arts Commission, at a rate of $0.07 per square foot of improvements, estimated to generate approximately $6,300,000 annually and $84,800,000 over its twelve- year duration, be adopted?Full information · Evidence on both sides
  33. Measure Z (Berkeley)The ballot asks: Shall the measure creating a special parcel tax to capitalize and support a public bank to fund investments in affordable housing, green energy/infrastructure and small businesses, at rates of $0.06/square foot of residential improvements and $0.09/square foot of non-residential improvements, estimated to generate approximately $9,200,000 the first year and $58,300,000 over its six-year duration, with funds subject to review, allocation and approval by the City Council and regular audits, be adopted?Full information · Evidence on both sides
  34. Measure AA (Berkeley)The ballot asks: Shall the measure replacing the City's $0.01 per fluid ounce general tax on the distribution of sugar- sweetened beverages with a $0.02 per fluid ounce special tax to fund public health, nutrition, and drinking water accessibility programs by nonprofits, the City, or Berkeley Unified School District, retaining current exemptions for small retailers, milk products, baby formula, alcoholic beverages, and medical and weight-loss products, estimated to generate approximately $2,200,000 annually, until repealed by the voters, be adopted?Full information · Evidence on both sides
  35. Measure BB (Emeryville)The ballot asks: City Services/ Business License Reform Measure. "To protect City of Emeryville services/ensure smaller businesses pay less than larger businesses, shall the measure be adopted to: keep parks/playgrounds safe; repair potholes/maintain streets; maintain 9-1-1 response; improve crime prevention; maintain senior/ youth services; general government use; by updating/ simplifying Emeryville's 42 year old business license rates up to 0.4% of gross receipts (described in the ordinance) until ended by voters, providing $12,400,000 annually, requiring independent oversight?"Full information · Evidence on both sides
  36. Measure CC (Hayward)The ballot asks: HAYWARD BUSINESS LICENSE TAX MODERNIZATION: Shall the measure updating the Hayward Business License Tax for the first time since 1978, to support general city services, including neighborhood police protection, firefighting, 911 response, libraries, and pothole repair, generating an additional $12 million annually until repealed, with a minimum tax of $60 and rates from $.30 to $3.75 per $1,000 of gross receipts, with higher rates for higher-grossing businesses, as stated in the ordinance, be adopted?Full information · Evidence on both sides
  37. Measure DD (Newark)The ballot asks: "Newark Essential Services Protection Measure. To protect city services such as repairing potholes/streets; keeping neighborhoods safe/clean, and maintaining 9-1-1 emergency response/fire protection/ neighborhood police patrols/parks/recreation programs, shall the measure be adopted updating Newark's 56-yearold business license ordinance, lowering many small businesses' taxes, with rates up to 0.3% of gross receipts (as described in the ordinance), raising $6,600,000 annually until ended by voters, with spending disclosure/ independent audits?"Full information · Evidence on both sides
  38. Measure EE (Oakland)The ballot asks: Shall the measure to amend Oakland's City Charter to, among other things, (1) make the Mayor the City's chief executive with a legislative veto, 2 empower the Council to override vetoes, confirm appointments of certain directors, and appoint an Independent Budget and Legislative Analyst, 3 affirm Councilmembers right to acquire information from other City officials, 4 require Councilmembers to work full-time, and 5 empower the Public Ethics Commission to set salaries for all City elected officials using similar formulas, be adopted?Full information · Evidence on both sides
  39. Measure FF (Oakland)The ballot asks: Shall the measure amending Oakland's Real Property Transfer Tax Ordinance to eliminate the foreclosure exception for all property transfers except transfers converting commercial property to certain housing or healthcare uses, transfers to community banking organizations, and certain transfers of residential properties of four units or less, and allowing the City Council to establish, amend, or remove foreclosure-related exceptions, raising approximately $4-$13 million annually pursuant to tax rates in Oakland Municipal Code section 4.20.020, beginning January 1, 2027 until repealed, be adopted?Full information · Evidence on both sides
  40. Measure GG (Piedmont)The ballot asks: Shall the measure, providing funding for City of Piedmont's essential city services, such as police, fire, and emergency medical response; and maintenance of aging City buildings, parks, stormwater drains, roads and sidewalks, by increasing the real estate transfer tax from 1.3% to 1.75% to be more in line with neighboring cities and to generate approximately $1,500,000 annually in general tax revenue until ended by voters, be adopted?Full information · Evidence on both sides
  41. Measure HH (Pleasanton)The ballot asks: Shall a measure be adopted to increase the City's Uniform Transient Occupancy Tax paid by hotel guests from 8% to 10% on July 1, 2027, and to 12% on July 1, 2028, generating an estimated $1.4 to $2.8 million per year in additional revenue, that can be used to maintain city services, such as: police and fire protection; park and street maintenance; recreation programs; and other general government uses, until ended by voters?Full information · Evidence on both sides
  42. Measure II (Union City)The ballot asks: "Union City Essential Services Extension Measure. To maintain critical city services, including 9-1-1 emergency response/paramedics/ fire protection; street/pothole repair; neighborhood police patrols; crime/gun violence prevention programs; youth/senior programs; and other city services, shall the measure extending the City of Union City's existing voter- approved utility users tax for 9 years at the current 5% rate no increase , providing $7,000,000 annually, with senior/low-income exemptions, annual audits, and all funds locally controlled, be adopted?"Full information · Evidence on both sides

California statewide measures

Proposition 1

Authorizes Bonds for Housing Affordability Programs. Legislative Statute.

Put on the Ballot by the Legislature Authorizes $11.25 billion in state general obligation bonds for housing affordability programs, including multifamily rental housing, mortgages for veterans, supportive housing, preservation of existing affordable housing, and downpayment assistance.

A YES vote meansThe state could borrow $11.25 billion to support veterans and affordable housing.
A NO vote meansThe state could not borrow $11.25 billion to support veterans and affordable housing.

Fiscal effect: Increased state cost of $500 million to $600 million annually for about 25 years to repay the housing bond.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • Housing supply is relevant to affordability Peer-reviewed housing research links constrained supply with higher housing costs and finds that additional supply can reduce upward pressure in some markets. Bond funding would not solve regulatory or land-use barriers, but it could complement reforms by financing construction and preservation. [source]
  • Affordable-housing investment can improve housing stability Research and public-program evidence indicate that subsidized housing can improve housing stability and produce resident or neighborhood benefits when projects are well designed and managed. A bond could provide upfront capital for projects that otherwise would not be built or preserved. [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • Bond repayment creates a long-term budget obligation General-obligation bonds are repaid with state revenues, so approval commits future budgets to debt service. That cost must be weighed against other public priorities, particularly if the proposition’s housing outcomes are uncertain or implementation is slow. [source]
  • Targeted benefits may not lower costs for most households Affordable-housing programs generally target particular income groups and locations rather than lowering prices across the entire housing market. Even if funded projects benefit eligible residents, that does not establish that the measure would materially improve affordability for the broader electorate. [source] [source]

See all 4 sources

Proposition 2

Increases State’s Rainy Day Fund. Legislative Constitutional Amendment.

Put on the Ballot by the Legislature Increases California's Rainy Day Fund, approved by voters in 2014, to provide funding for education, health care, public safety, and other essential services during economic downturns.

A YES vote meansRules for building state budget reserves and paying down extra state debts would change. As a result, state budget reserves would be higher. The state also would be required to make extra debt payments for longer.
A NO vote meansRules for building state budget reserves and paying down extra state debts would not change.

Fiscal effect: State budget reserves would be higher.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • The measure would institutionalize saving during boom years Proposition 2 would require deposits until the rainy-day account reaches 20% of General Fund taxes and would require additional deposits in unusually strong capital-gains years. This directly addresses the risk that politically difficult savings will be postponed during periods of high revenue. [source] [source]
  • Larger reserves could cushion future downturns California’s revenue base is unusually exposed to income and capital-gains fluctuations, and the Legislative Analyst says downturns can reduce revenue by tens of billions of dollars. A larger reserve could help preserve services and reduce abrupt spending cuts, tax increases, or borrowing during a recession. [source] [source]
  • Extended debt payments may reduce long-term costs The measure extends extra payments toward eligible pension, retiree-health, education, state-fund, and certain federal loans through 2040. Paying down obligations earlier can reduce future interest or liability exposure, although the official analysis says the amount of additional debt payment is uncertain. [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • A 20% target is not established as optimal Evidence supports maintaining reserves, but the research does not establish that doubling California’s cap is the best target. Pew and the Legislative Analyst emphasize tailoring reserves to revenue volatility, spending obligations, withdrawal rules, and the duration of downturns rather than relying on a universal balance threshold. [source] [source]
  • Constitutional savings may crowd out current priorities Money deposited into reserves or directed toward debt payments cannot be used immediately for other state purposes. The California Budget & Policy Center argues that the measure could reduce legislative flexibility when California faces needs such as schools, housing, infrastructure, or health programs, even if total reserves rise. [source] [source]

See all 9 sources

Proposition 3

Provides Permanent Funding for Schools and Health Care by Extending Existing Tax on High Incomes. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.

Put on the Ballot by Petition Signatures Makes permanent existing voter-approved tax rates for individuals earning over $371,000 (adjusted annually for inflation). Allocates tax revenues to public education.

A YES vote meansAn income tax increase on high-income earners in place since 2012 would become permanent instead of expiring in 2031.
A NO vote meansAn income tax increase on high-income earners in place since 2012 would expire in 2031.

Fiscal effect: Maintains $5 billion to $15 billion of annual state income tax revenue by making a temporary tax increase on high-income earners permanent instead of letting it expire in 2031.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • The measure preserves a major public-service revenue stream The official fiscal analysis estimates that Proposition 3 would preserve $5 billion to $15 billion annually rather than allowing the existing rates to expire. Because the revenue supports schools, community colleges, health care, reserves, and other programs, approval would reduce the need to replace that funding through spending cuts or other taxes. [1][2] [source] [source]
  • The tax burden is concentrated among very high earners The Legislative Analyst reports that the higher rates apply to roughly the top 2 percent of taxpayers, who pay about half of state income taxes. The measure therefore preserves funding through a narrowly targeted tax rather than a broad-based increase, while the official text keeps the existing rates unchanged. [2][3] [source] [source]
  • Evidence does not establish a large taxpayer exodus Although high earners respond to tax differences, broader migration research finds that state taxes generally have small effects on interstate moves compared with other factors. This weakens the claim that extending the rates would necessarily eliminate most of the projected revenue through migration. [10][11][13] [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • The revenue would be unusually volatile The Legislative Analyst estimates a very wide annual range, from $5 billion to $15 billion, because much of the revenue is tied to stock-market-related income. Official revenue estimates and recent budget reporting show that California’s personal-income-tax receipts can swing sharply, making permanent commitments harder to plan. [2][14][15] [source] [source]
  • More spending does not guarantee better results School-finance research supports average benefits from additional funding, but California-specific studies find that effects depend on targeting, implementation, and local use. Proposition 3 restricts administrative spending from specified funds, yet the official documents do not guarantee particular achievement gains or demonstrate that every district will spend the money effectively. [2][3][6][8] [source] [source]
  • High earners may reduce taxable income or relocate Peer-reviewed California research finds that high earners change reported income and other behavior in response to state tax differences. These responses could lower actual collections relative to static projections, though the evidence does not show that behavioral effects would erase the entire fiscal gain. [10][11][12] [source] [source]

See all 12 sources

Proposition 4

Repeals Prohibition Against Public Funding of Election Campaigns. Legislative Statute.

Put on the Ballot by the Legislature Repeals prohibition on state and local governments offering public funding of candidate election campaigns. Public funding programs may not use funds earmarked for education, transportation, or public safety.

A YES vote meansState and local governments could create public campaign financing programs for public office candidates, subject to limits on which public funds could be used, how the public funds could be used, and who could receive them.
A NO vote meansState and most local governments would remain unable to create public campaign finance programs for public office candidates.

Fiscal effect: Ongoing costs to the state of a few hundred thousand dollars each year for the Fair Political Practices Commission to answer questions from state and local governments about public campaign finance programs.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • Repeal would enable small-donor financing reforms Public financing can make small contributions more valuable through matching funds or vouchers, reducing candidates’ reliance on wealthy donors. Evidence from Seattle and New York City indicates that carefully designed programs can increase small-donor participation and broaden the contributor base. Proposition 4 would remove a constitutional obstacle to adopting such systems in California. [source] [source]
  • A constitutional repeal preserves policy flexibility Proposition 4 does not mandate a particular public-financing model or appropriation. It would allow the Legislature and local governments to choose whether to create grants, matching funds, vouchers, or other systems and to revise them as evidence develops. This flexibility is useful because program outcomes vary substantially by design. [source] [source]
  • Public financing may lower barriers to candidacy Campaigns financed primarily through large private donations can disadvantage candidates who lack established donor networks. Research and program evaluations suggest that subsidies can encourage candidate entry and help candidates reach more small donors. The effect would depend on later legislation, but repeal would make those reforms legally available. [source]

Arguments against

  • Repeal alone would not change campaign financing The measure would remove a prohibition but would not establish a program, fund candidates, or reduce private-money influence. Any practical benefit would require subsequent legislation, appropriations, administration, and enforcement. Voters therefore cannot treat repeal itself as evidence that campaign financing will improve. [source] [source]
  • Public financing may not reduce outside spending Public subsidies do not necessarily constrain independent expenditures by corporations, unions, wealthy individuals, or outside groups. Constitutional protections limit how broadly government can regulate such spending, so publicly financed candidates could still face high-spending opponents or outside advertising. [source]

See all 6 sources

Proposition 5

Changes Recall Election Process for Statewide Officers. Legislative Constitutional Amendment.

Put on the Ballot by the Legislature Under current law, voters elect replacement candidates at the same time as the recall election. This measure instead fills recall vacancies by subsequent special election or appointment.

A YES vote meansRecall elections would no longer include a question about who should fill the vacancy. Instead, vacancies typically would be filled through special elections or appointments, depending on the office and timing.
A NO vote meansVoters would continue to be asked who should fill the vacancy as part of recall elections.

Fiscal effect: Net fiscal effect unknown. In the event of a recall, savings or costs of millions of dollars to administer the election depending on the office recalled.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • Existing vacancy rules may provide more continuity The measure generally applies procedures already used when state offices become vacant for reasons such as resignation or death. For the governorship, the Lieutenant Governor would assume office, with a special-election pathway in a limited early-term circumstance. This could reduce uncertainty and avoid selecting a successor through a crowded, low-information contest. [source] [source]
  • The current successor vote can produce a weak mandate California’s replacement contest uses plurality voting among potentially many candidates. Evidence from the 2021 recall indicates that the leading replacement candidate received fewer votes than the number of voters opposing removal, supporting the concern that removal and succession can yield conflicting mandates. Proposition 5 would separate those decisions and use a later election or established vacancy rule for… [source] [source]
  • Removing successor candidates could reduce some election costs The Legislative Analyst identifies potential savings from eliminating candidate information and voting materials for the replacement question, particularly when an appointment or gubernatorial succession would otherwise follow. The savings could reach millions in an individual recall, although their occurrence depends on the office and number of candidates. [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • Separate special elections could increase costs A recalled legislative official would typically require a separate special election, and that election might not be consolidated with a regularly scheduled election. The Legislative Analyst estimates that such an election could cost millions, offsetting or exceeding savings from a shorter recall ballot. The overall fiscal effect is explicitly unknown. [source] [source]
  • Appointments could shift power away from the electorate For several statewide offices, existing vacancy law relies on gubernatorial appointment rather than an immediate statewide vote. Proposition 5 would invoke those rules after a recall, creating circumstances in which the official who survives politically could be replaced by an executive appointee. That may improve continuity but weakens the claim that a recall directly determines the electorate’s preferred successor. [source] [source]
  • The measure removes voters’ immediate choice of successor After a successful recall, voters would no longer select a replacement in the same election. Depending on the office, the successor could instead be appointed by the Governor, supplied by succession rules, or chosen in a later special election. Opponents therefore argue that Proposition 5 reduces direct voter control over who holds the office. [source] [source]

See all 7 sources

Proposition 37

Creates Loan Program for Middle-Income Buyers of Qualified New Homes. Initiative Statute.

Put on the Ballot by Petition Signatures Authorizes $25 billion in bonds to offer eligible buyers fixed-rate mortgages for up to 17% of purchase price of a newly constructed home priced below about $1.5 million. Borrowers must be California residents, occupy the home, meet income limits, and pay at least 3% down. Bonds repaid by mortgage payments, not State.

A YES vote meansThe state would create a new homebuying assistance program. The state could sell up to $25 billion in revenue bonds to fund the program. Bonds would be paid back by homeowners' payments on their home loans.
A NO vote meansThe state would not be required to create a new homebuying assistance program.

Fiscal effect: No direct state or local costs.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • Restricting assistance to new homes may support construction Because the program is described as applying to qualified new homes, it may direct demand toward additional housing rather than only bidding up existing homes. Research finds that housing supply constraints are a major source of high prices, and policies connected to new construction can have broader benefits if they induce genuinely additional units. That outcome is not guaranteed without details on qualification… [source] [source]
  • The measure could reduce upfront barriers to ownership A state loan program could help otherwise creditworthy middle-income households overcome down-payment or financing constraints. Evidence on housing assistance suggests that reducing upfront barriers can increase access to homeownership for some eligible households, while existing CalHFA programs provide administrative precedent. The measure's actual reach would depend on loan terms, eligibility rules, funding, and… [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • Buyer assistance can be capitalized into higher prices Demand subsidies often increase prices when supply is limited, allowing sellers or builders to capture part of the assistance. California's affordability constraints make this risk relevant, especially if the program expands purchasing power without producing enough additional homes. The new-home restriction may reduce this problem only if participating construction is additional and sufficiently large. [source] [source]
  • The program could expose households and taxpayers to financial risk Loans can improve access while leaving recipients with repayment obligations and exposure to falling home values, income shocks, or foreclosure. Federal Reserve evidence identifies both wealth benefits and risks of homeownership, and borrower-support research suggests safeguards matter. Without publicly available details on underwriting, loss sharing, funding, and foreclosure protections, the fiscal and household… [source] [source]

See all 8 sources

Proposition 38

Authorizes Bonds for Immunology Medical Research. Initiative Statute.

Put on the Ballot by Petition Signatures Authorizes $8.4 billion in general obligation bonds for immunology and immunotherapy research, half to a single University of California-affiliated nonprofit medical research institute, half to research grants.

A YES vote meansThe state could borrow $8.4 billion to support medical research in immunology and immunotherapy conducted by California research institutes and universities.
A NO vote meansThe state could not borrow $8.4 billion to support medical research in immunology and immunotherapy conducted by California research institutes and universities.

Fiscal effect: Increased state cost of $500 million to $600 million annually for about 20 years to repay the research bond, with some or all of the cost offset if the funded research generates revenue.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • Immunotherapy has demonstrated clinical value Systematic evidence shows that immune-based treatments can benefit some patients, particularly in cancer, and the field has produced approved therapies. Additional funding could expand work on response, resistance, combination treatments, and other diseases, though results will vary by condition. [source] [source]
  • The measure directs funds toward California institutions and patient benefits Proposition 38 would fund California public and nonprofit research organizations, impose reporting and audit requirements, and require qualifying treatments sold in California to be offered at a discount. These provisions could retain research activity in the state and provide a direct benefit if treatments reach patients. [source] [source]
  • Long-term discoveries could offset some public costs The measure requires 10 percent of revenue from funded discoveries to go first toward repaying the state. Public research can generate licensing and economic benefits, so successful commercialization could reduce the net cost, although the timing and amount are uncertain. [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • Clinical and financial returns are highly uncertain Most research projects do not progress through discovery, clinical testing, regulatory review, and successful commercialization. Preclinical limitations and variable immunotherapy outcomes make it impossible to infer that the bond will repay itself or produce major health-care savings. [source] [source]
  • The bond creates a substantial guaranteed budget obligation The state would owe approximately $500 million to $600 million annually for about 20 years, regardless of whether the research succeeds. Interest makes the total cost higher than an equivalent upfront appropriation, and debt service could compete with other General Fund priorities. [source] [source]
  • The allocation may concentrate decision-making and reduce competition About half of the money would go to one qualifying UC-affiliated nonprofit institute, while the grant council would select applicants from member institutions. Reporting and audits improve transparency, but they do not eliminate concerns that eligibility rules could favor established institutions or narrow the research portfolio. [source] [source]

See all 15 sources

Proposition 39

Prohibits Citizens from Voting Unless They Present Government-Issued Identification. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.

Put on the Ballot by Petition Signatures Invalidates mail ballots that do not have last four digits of designated government-issued identification number written on envelope. Prohibits in-person voting without presenting government-issued identification.

A YES vote meansVoters would be required to present additional identifying information to elections officials each time they vote.
A NO vote meansA voter's identity would continue to be established with the voter's signature.

Fiscal effect: Costs of between tens of millions of dollars and low hundreds of millions of dollars each year to implement new voting requirements.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • The measure would create a uniform identity check Proposition 39 would replace California’s current in-person signature-based identification process with a government-issued identification check and would require a matching identifier for vote-by-mail ballots. Supporters can reasonably argue that uniform documentary verification would create a clearer eligibility-control standard, even though evidence that it would prevent common forms of election fraud is… [source] [source]
  • Citizenship-verification reporting could improve oversight Proposition 39 would require election officials to use best efforts to verify citizenship attestations with government data and publish county-level verification percentages. Public reporting and State Auditor audits could expose inconsistencies and encourage more systematic maintenance of voter records. However, the measure does not specify the data sources, error safeguards, or operational definition of best… [source] [source]
  • Identification rules may reassure skeptical voters The measure expressly aims to increase public confidence, and research indicates that voter-identification rules can affect perceptions of election legitimacy, particularly among voters already concerned about fraud. That perceptual benefit would not prove greater election accuracy, but proponents may value increased confidence as a civic outcome. The evidence is mixed and partly partisan, so the likely benefit is… [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • The measure could reject eligible mail ballots for matching errors Most California voters use vote-by-mail ballots, and Proposition 39 would require the envelope to contain the last four digits of the exact government-issued number designated in the voter’s registration. A voter who uses a different qualifying document, records the wrong digits, or has an incorrect registration record could have the ballot rejected unless an effective cure process is created. Existing California… [source] [source]
  • Identification burdens may fall unevenly across voters Research finds that strict identification requirements can impose larger burdens on people with limited documentation, unstable housing, disability-related barriers, transportation constraints, or less access to government offices. A free voter ID card removes the card fee but does not necessarily eliminate the need to obtain underlying documents, travel, correct records, or learn a new process. California-specific… [source] [source]
  • The evidence for preventing impersonation is weak The principal fraud target described in the measure is voter impersonation, but empirical research indicates that documented in-person impersonation is rare. California already verifies vote-by-mail signatures and uses registration checks, so the incremental security effect of requiring identification is uncertain. Identification could therefore impose substantial administrative and access costs without preventing… [source] [source]

See all 17 sources

Proposition 40

Imposes One-Time Tax on Certain Taxpayers. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.

Put on the Ballot by Petition Signatures Imposes 5% tax on certain taxpayers with assets over $1 billion; revenue primarily for health care. Exempts revenues from constitutional requirements for school funding and spending limit.

A YES vote meansThe state would collect a one-time tax from billionaires equal to 5 percent of their wealth.
A NO vote meansThe state would not collect a one-time tax from billionaires equal to 5 percent of their wealth.

Fiscal effect: Temporary revenue increase of tens of billions of dollars spread over several years from wealth tax on billionaires. Possible ongoing decrease of less than $1 billion per year in income tax revenue from billionaires.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • The measure could provide substantial temporary funding The official fiscal analysis says Proposition 40 would probably raise tens of billions of dollars over several years. Because the measure directs most proceeds to health care and bars using them to replace existing funding, approval could provide resources during a period of funding pressure. [source] [source]
  • Health-care spending can improve access and outcomes Research on Medicaid coverage and expansion generally finds improved access and associations with better health outcomes. Proposition 40 would dedicate 90% of its receipts to public health-care services, so the measure has a plausible mechanism for producing broad benefits, although the eventual effectiveness would depend on implementation. [source] [source]
  • The one-time structure may limit permanent exposure Unlike an annual wealth tax, Proposition 40 is designed as a one-time levy, with payment spread over several years at the taxpayer’s option. This could reduce continuing incentives for relocation or long-term portfolio restructuring compared with a recurring tax, although the initial liability may still affect behavior. [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • The measure could face legal challenges Legal scholarship identifies unresolved questions about whether wealth taxes are direct taxes and how constitutional restrictions apply. Although Proposition 40 includes state constitutional language, litigation could delay collections, increase costs, or alter the measure’s operation. [source] [source]
  • Revenue estimates are unusually uncertain The amount collected depends on volatile asset prices, valuation of private businesses and other assets, compliance, avoidance, and the timing of payments. The official analysis explicitly says the amount and timing are very hard to predict, while U.S. tax-policy research identifies the same design problems as central limitations of wealth-tax forecasts. [source] [source]
  • Administration could be complex and costly Valuing private companies, intellectual property, art, collectibles, and other covered assets would require specialized assessments and enforcement. The official analysis projects administrative costs of tens of millions of dollars annually for several years, and international evidence shows that offshore ownership can complicate collection. [source] [source]

See all 11 sources

Proposition 41

Prohibits New State Taxes That Exclude Revenues from State Spending Limit. Requires Audits for New State Special Taxes. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.

Put on the Ballot by Petition Signatures Nullifies state taxes enacted after January 1, 2026 that exempt their revenues from voter-approved state spending limit. Requires pre-election and recurring audits of programs funded by new special taxes.

A YES vote meansWhen special taxes are proposed by voter initiatives, the California State Auditor would review programs funded by the tax before the initiative appears on the ballot. The California State Auditor also would regularly review programs funded by special taxes approved by voters or the Legislature. In addition, the state might not be able to exclude any new special tax spending from its spending limit.
A NO vote meansThe California State Auditor's responsibility to review government programs would not change. The state spending limit requirements would not change.

Fiscal effect: The net fiscal effect is unknown as it depends on future decisions by voters, the Legislature, and other policymakers.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • The measure could limit budget workarounds Restricting new taxes that exclude revenue from the state spending limit could reduce opportunities to move revenues outside the ordinary constitutional spending-limit framework. The LAO’s explanation of Proposition 41 and the existing Article XIII B framework are the strongest evidence for this accountability rationale. Whether the restriction materially changes future budgets depends on how broadly the amendment… [source] [source]
  • Audits could increase transparency for dedicated taxes Requiring audits of new state special taxes could give voters and policymakers more information about whether dedicated revenues are collected and spent as promised. Existing Controller and State Auditor materials show that California has audit institutions, but Proposition 41 could require scrutiny at the creation of new special taxes rather than relying only on discretionary or later reviews. The strength of this… [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • Audits may duplicate existing oversight California already has financial reporting and audit institutions operated by the State Controller and State Auditor. If Proposition 41 requires audits without providing additional authority, resources, or consequences, it could add administrative costs without producing proportionate accountability gains. The available government materials establish existing oversight, but the proposition-specific analysis is… [source] [source]
  • The spending-limit rule could reduce fiscal flexibility California’s spending-limit system is already technically complex and interacts with revenue classifications and changing economic conditions. Adding constitutional restrictions on new tax structures could make it harder for lawmakers to design dedicated funding mechanisms or respond to emerging needs without seeking another constitutional amendment. Prior LAO analyses support the complexity concern, while the… [source] [source]

See all 8 sources

Proposition 42

Prohibits New State Personal Property Taxes and Certain Retroactive State Taxes. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.

Put on the Ballot by Petition Signatures Prohibits any new state tax (1) imposed on the ownership of personal property (all things people own other than real estate), or (2) that applies retroactively based on taxpayer's past activities. Nullifies taxes enacted after January 1, 2026 that conflict with this measure.

A YES vote meansThe state could not establish new taxes on the ownership of financial assets or other personal property.
A NO vote meansThe state would continue to have the option to establish new taxes on the ownership of financial assets or other personal property.

Fiscal effect: Possibility that tax revenues will not go up as much in the future.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • The measure would protect taxpayers from new state taxes Proposition 42 would place the prohibition in the Constitution, making it harder for future legislatures to impose a new state tax on personal property. Its restriction on certain retroactive taxes could also improve predictability for taxpayers and businesses. The official text and voter guide establish these protections, while broader tax-policy research identifies investment and compliance benefits from limiting… [source] [source]
  • Constitutional protection may increase legal certainty A clear constitutional rule against specified retroactive state taxes could reduce uncertainty about whether past transactions may later be taxed. Legal analysis recognizes that retroactive taxation can create due-process concerns, even though existing constitutional doctrine sometimes permits limited retroactivity. Proposition 42 would provide a broader state-law constraint than case-by-case litigation alone. [source] [source]
  • Tax limits may improve investment incentives Business personal-property taxes can raise the cost of equipment and other mobile capital, potentially discouraging investment or encouraging firms to locate elsewhere. Limiting the state’s ability to create such taxes could reduce those incentives and simplify planning. This is a general economic inference rather than a California-specific forecast, so its magnitude is uncertain. [source]

Arguments against

  • The measure could reduce future fiscal flexibility Constitutional tax restrictions can limit a legislature’s ability to respond to recessions, emergencies, or changing revenue needs. The LAO’s analysis of California’s volatile tax system and research on tax limitations indicate that narrower tax authority may force spending cuts, borrowing, or taxes on other bases. The actual effect depends on whether California would otherwise enact the prohibited taxes. [source] [source]
  • The measure may shift taxes rather than reduce government costs If future policymakers cannot use the prohibited tax bases, they may seek revenue from income, sales, real-property, or other taxes instead. Comparative property-tax evidence shows that removing a tax base can require replacement revenue or reduce public services. Proposition 42 therefore may change who pays rather than produce an equivalent reduction in government obligations. [source]

See all 8 sources

Proposition 43

Limits Voters’ Ability to Raise Revenues for Local Government Services. Legislative Constitutional Amendment.

Put on the Ballot by the Legislature Limits voters' ability to pass voter-proposed local special taxes by increasing percentage of votes needed to approve such ballot measures from a majority (over 50%) to two-thirds, beginning January 1, 2027.

A YES vote meansCertain local government taxes would require two-thirds approval by voters.
A NO vote meansCertain local government taxes could continue to be approved by voters with a majority vote.

Fiscal effect: Possibility that local government tax revenues will not go up as much in the future due to a higher vote threshold for certain taxes.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • A revenue limit could constrain local tax burdens If Proposition 43 reduces the range or ease of local revenue measures, residents could face fewer locally imposed taxes or charges. The available background literature on California revenue limits is relevant to that possibility, but no retrieved source quantifies the effect of this proposal specifically. [source] [source]
  • The amendment could increase voter control over local taxation Supporters could argue that limiting revenue authority preserves taxpayer control and prevents local officials from expanding revenues without sufficiently broad consent. This argument depends on the proposal’s actual voting thresholds and scope, which were not available in the retrieved evidence. [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • Limits could reduce funding for local services Restricting voters’ ability to raise local revenues may make it harder for communities to fund schools, transportation, public safety, housing, and other services when state or federal funding is insufficient. PPIC’s research on local revenue measures is relevant background, but it does not establish Proposition 43’s likely magnitude of impact. [source] [source]
  • A statewide rule may fit local conditions poorly California communities differ in service needs, tax bases, and preferences. A constitutional restriction applying statewide could reduce local flexibility, although the retrieved sources do not reveal whether Proposition 43 contains exemptions or differentiated rules. [source] [source]

See all 4 sources

Proposition 44

Requires Community Health Clinics Spend 90% Of Revenue on Program Services. Initiative Statute.

Put on the Ballot by Petition Signatures Imposes penalties on nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Centers (community clinics providing primary care to medically underserved areas and populations) that spend less than 90% of revenue on "program services" advancing their charitable purpose, including but not limited to patient services.

A YES vote meansCertain private nonprofit health care clinics would have to spend at least 90 percent of their revenue each year on providing health care services.
A NO vote meansThe new requirement on health care clinic spending would not go into effect.

Fiscal effect: Increased state costs in the low tens of millions of dollars per year, covered by fees.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • The measure could direct more money toward patient services A statutory minimum could limit excessive administrative or nonprogram spending and make clinics more visibly accountable for using revenue to provide care. The official text and fiscal analysis are the decisive sources for whether the 90% threshold is workable and enforceable, while nonprofit reporting rules show that clinics already operate under accountability requirements. [source] [source]
  • A clear ratio may improve transparency for donors and taxpayers A uniform spending benchmark would give the public an easily understood measure of how much clinic revenue reaches defined services. Research on overhead perceptions indicates that donors often use spending ratios when judging nonprofits, although a ratio may not accurately capture quality or long-term effectiveness. [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • The rule may not improve health outcomes Evidence on federally qualified health centers suggests that payment models and care-delivery incentives affect performance, while Proposition 44 focuses on an accounting ratio. The available peer-reviewed study does not show that a 90% spending mandate improves access, quality, or patient outcomes. [source]
  • A rigid cap could treat necessary infrastructure as waste Clinics need administration, compliance, information technology, staffing systems, fundraising, and evaluation to deliver care and remain eligible for public programs. Nonprofit-sector guidance and IRS requirements support the concern that reducing or reclassifying these functions could weaken operations rather than increase services. [source] [source]

See all 7 sources

Proposition 45

Modifies Environmental Review for Certain Projects. Initiative Statute.

Put on the Ballot by Petition Signatures Amends California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to expedite environmental review for certain projects (including most housing, transportation, water, and health projects) by setting deadlines to complete environmental review and resolve lawsuits challenging project approvals.

A YES vote meansCertain public and private projects would be eligible for new project review and court challenge procedures. For example, new procedures would tighten time limits for environmental review and reduce the scope of what courts can consider when reviewing legal challenges.
A NO vote meansPublic and private projects would continue to use existing project review and court challenge procedures.

Fiscal effect: Initial costs for state and local governments, likely in the high tens of millions of dollars-potentially exceeding $100 million-annually, partly covered by fees. Uncertain, potentially more significant positive or negative longer-term fiscal effects.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • Binding deadlines could reduce administrative delay Proposition 45 would impose deadlines for application completeness, environmental impact reports, permits, and court challenges. Evidence that local review and commission processes affect housing completion time supports the mechanism by which faster procedures could reduce delays, although the measure's actual effect remains untested. [source] [source]
  • The measure preserves formal agency approval authority The text expressly states that public agencies retain authority to approve or disapprove essential projects and that projects remain subject to environmental review. This means the measure does not automatically authorize covered projects, even though it changes the procedures and legal remedies surrounding review. [source]
  • Faster approvals could lower some project costs The measure covers housing and public infrastructure categories for which delay can increase financing, administrative, and construction costs. California's high housing costs have multiple causes, including regulatory constraints, so Proposition 45 could address one contributor, but available evidence does not quantify the resulting savings. [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • Reduced alternatives may weaken environmental mitigation Under the measure, an applicant may develop only one project alternative for agency consideration, while current CEQA practice requires agencies to consider multiple feasible alternatives that could reduce environmental impacts. Limiting alternatives could reduce opportunities to redesign projects before approval. [source] [source]
  • Restricted court remedies could make violations harder to correct Proposition 45 would limit what courts may consider and prevent them from stopping an entire project when part of the CEQA review is deficient. Critics argue this could allow construction to proceed while environmental problems are corrected, reducing the practical deterrent of CEQA litigation. [source] [source]
  • Shorter participation and narrower consultation could exclude communities The measure limits public-comment periods and narrows required consultation to federally recognized California tribes. State guidance identifies meaningful participation and attention to disproportionate burdens as components of environmental justice, so these procedural limits could reduce input from affected communities. [source] [source]

See all 10 sources

Alameda County local measures

Alameda County has no countywide measure of its own this year; Regional Measure RTM is on every Alameda County ballot. Each other measure below is voted on only in the city or school district named with it, so your ballot carries only the ones for where you live.

Regional Measure RTM - San Francisco Bay Area

Regional Transit Measure

The official text is not quoted here yet; see the official election office.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • The measure addresses an immediate operating-funding gap Multiple sources document persistent post-pandemic financial pressure at Bay Area transit agencies, including reduced fare revenue and projected deficits. The measure would provide approximately $980 million annually for 14 years, directly targeting operations rather than relying only on temporary aid or fare revenue. Evidence supports the need for funding, although it does not prove that the full tax amount is… [source] [source]
  • Stable service can protect access and reduce driving The measure preserves funding for rail, bus, ferry, reduced fares, accessibility, and transit priority programs. California transportation analysis finds that better transit service can improve access for people unable to drive and can reduce driving-related congestion and pollution. The size of those benefits depends on whether funded service is frequent, reliable, and attractive enough to change travel behavior. [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • The sales tax would burden lower-income households more Sales taxes generally consume a larger share of lower-income households' resources than of higher-income households' resources. RTM's broad retail tax therefore shifts part of transit financing onto consumers, including people who may use transit infrequently or not at all. Reduced fares and affordability programs may offset some burden but do not eliminate the tax's regressive structure. [source]
  • Transit funding does not guarantee ridership or emissions gains Research indicates that the effects of transit subsidies on ridership and environmental outcomes vary by local conditions. Bay Area travel patterns have changed since the pandemic, particularly through remote work, so preserving service may not restore former fare revenue or shift enough automobile trips to meet the measure's congestion and pollution goals. The measure's likely benefits are therefore uncertain… [source] [source]
  • New revenue may postpone difficult agency reforms Opponents argue that agencies should first address management, administrative costs, and accountability. MTC's efficiency review shows that agencies have undertaken cost-saving measures, but it does not establish that all available reforms have been exhausted or that RTM's allocations maximize service per dollar. Because the measure supplies operating funds for multiple agencies, voters cannot assume that added… [source]

See all 12 sources

Measure I - Dublin Unified School District

Parcel Tax Measure

"Shall the measure to support quality education, provide local funding that cannot be taken by the State, maintain small class sizes, attract/retain quality teachers, and provide enhanced science, technology, engineering, visual and performing arts, reading, writing, and math programs, by renewing the expiring $96 school parcel tax, adding $48 per parcel, providing approximately $2,900,000 annually for nine years, with senior exemptions, annual inflation adjustments, independent oversight, and all funds locally controlled, be adopted?"

A YES vote meanssee the official election office
A NO vote meanssee the official election office

Fiscal effect: see the official election office.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • Additional funding could support staffing and smaller classes The measure expressly permits spending on teacher recruitment and retention and maintaining small class sizes. Research links competitive compensation to teacher retention, and a systematic review finds that class-size reductions can help under some conditions, although effects are not uniform. [1][8][9][10] [source] [source]
  • Renewal avoids a sharp loss of existing local support If approved, Measure I replaces the existing $96 parcel tax; if rejected, the official analysis states that the existing measure would eventually cease. The practical choice therefore includes preserving an established revenue stream while increasing it, rather than simply deciding whether to create a new tax. [1][2][11] [source]
  • The measure supplies protected local education revenue Measure I would generate approximately $2.9 million annually and keep the proceeds locally controlled for enumerated educational purposes. PPIC identifies parcel taxes as one of the few local revenue tools available to California school districts, while California school-finance research finds that sustained additional resources can improve student outcomes. [1][3][6][7] [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • The measure does not guarantee measurable outcomes The official language authorizes a broad list of possible uses rather than assigning funds to specific programs, staffing levels, or outcome targets. Evidence that school spending or class-size reductions can help in some settings cannot establish that this particular allocation will improve Dublin achievement, retention, or program quality. [1][8][6][11] [source] [source]
  • Oversight does not ensure independent evaluation The measure requires audits and citizen oversight, but the governing board appoints the oversight committee, and the district controls the annual reports and spending decisions. Existing district reports establish transparency mechanisms, not independent evidence that prior parcel-tax spending caused better outcomes. [1][11][12] [source] [source]
  • The tax is regressive by parcel value A uniform $144 charge applies per parcel rather than according to property value or ability to pay. Peer-reviewed research characterizes California parcel taxes as regressive, and the measure’s exemptions do not cover every household with limited income or renters who may face indirect rent effects. [1][13] [source]

See all 11 sources

Measure J - San Lorenzo Unified School District

Education Parcel Tax

To renew expiring local school funding without increasing current tax rates; support academic excellence and programs in reading, writing, math, arts, science and technology; attract and retain highly qualified teachers and staff; and continue stable, local funding the State cannot take away; shall San Lorenzo Unified School District's measure be adopted, renewing its expiring $99 parcel tax for 12 years, providing approximately $1.8 million annually, with senior exemptions, citizen oversight, and no funds for district administrators?

A YES vote meanssee the official election office
A NO vote meanssee the official election office

Fiscal effect: see the official election office.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • The measure preserves recurring local education revenue The official analysis estimates that renewal would provide approximately $1.8 million annually for specified academic and staffing purposes. Research on school finance generally finds that additional, targeted resources can improve student outcomes, although the effect depends on implementation. [source] [source]
  • Stable revenue may support teacher recruitment and retention Measure J expressly identifies attracting and retaining qualified teachers and staff as an allowable use. Research on school-finance reforms finds that additional resources can affect compensation, hiring, turnover, and job satisfaction, making the staffing rationale plausible even though the measure does not guarantee a particular salary program. [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • The measure does not guarantee measurable academic gains The official text lists broad eligible purposes, including academics, arts, science, technology, and staffing, but does not set quantified performance targets or allocate fixed amounts to each activity. General school-spending research supports potential benefits, yet it cannot establish that Measure J itself will improve achievement. [source] [source]
  • A flat parcel tax can burden taxpayers unevenly Parcel taxes generally charge a flat amount rather than varying with property value. Research describes this structure as potentially regressive and finds that parcel-tax adoption is associated with local income and property-price patterns, raising concerns about fairness across households and communities. [source] [source]
  • Local revenue can widen differences between districts California parcel taxes are concentrated in districts with greater local fiscal capacity, according to PPIC and peer-reviewed research. Renewing a local tax may help San Lorenzo schools while preserving a broader system in which communities differ in their ability to raise supplemental revenue. [source] [source]

See all 10 sources

Measure K - Sunol Glen Unified School District

GO Bond Measure

To improve the quality of local education; complete the Main Building retrofit and renovation; replace deteriorating plumbing, electrical, sewer, heating and ventilation systems; and modernize and upgrade old classrooms and restrooms; shall Sunol Glen Unified School District's measure be adopted authorizing $6,100,000 of bonds at legal rates, generating on average $431,700 annually while bonds are outstanding at approximate rates of $35 per $100,000 assessed value, with audits, citizens' oversight, no money for salaries and funds staying local?

A YES vote meanssee the official election office
A NO vote meanssee the official election office

Fiscal effect: see the official election office.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • The measure addresses essential building systems The official ballot text targets plumbing, electrical, sewer, heating, ventilation, classrooms, restrooms, and the Main Building retrofit. These are capital needs that ordinary operating budgets generally cannot fund, while California research associates better facility investment with improved learning conditions and, in some studies, student outcomes. [source] [source]
  • The financing includes accountability safeguards Measure K would require a separate bond account, annual financial and performance audits, an independent citizens’ oversight committee, and annual reporting to the governing board. These mechanisms do not guarantee efficient construction, but they provide stronger controls than an unrestricted tax increase and make authorized spending more reviewable. [source]
  • Local approval may unlock additional facilities funding California’s facilities system can combine local bonds with state assistance, including provisions intended to help small or low-wealth districts. Approval could therefore provide a local match or financing base that makes outside capital funding more accessible, although the state funds are not guaranteed. [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • Facility upgrades do not ensure academic gains Research generally links facility quality with learning conditions, but the available California bond studies are observational and report associations rather than a guaranteed causal return for each project. Academic achievement also depends on instruction, staffing, enrollment, and student circumstances, none of which Measure K may fund because bond proceeds cannot pay salaries. [source] [source]

See all 8 sources

Measure L - City of Alameda

GO Bond Measure

SAFER Alameda Act - Preparing Alameda for SeaLevel Rise, Accidents, Flooding, Earthquakes, Resilience. To prepare for emergencies, earthquakes and sea-level rise; prevent flooded Tubes; repair potholes; keep streets safe and accessible; maintain response to fires, accidents, and medical emergencies; prevent Bay pollution; and protect shorelines; shall the City of Alameda measure issuing $300,000,000 in bonds, levying $49/$100,000 of assessed value, generating approximately $19,000,000 annually while bonds are outstanding, requiring oversight, public disclosures, and local control, be adopted?

A YES vote meanssee the official election office
A NO vote meanssee the official election office

Fiscal effect: see the official election office.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • Preventive road maintenance may reduce future costs Research on preventive road treatments finds potential long-term cost benefits, and Alameda’s own project materials state that resurfacing can reduce future maintenance costs. This supports the possibility that some bond-funded street work could avoid more expensive deterioration, although local outcomes depend on project selection and maintenance practices. [source] [source]
  • Oversight provisions improve accountability relative to unrestricted borrowing The measure requires an oversight committee and public disclosures, and California’s bond-accountability guidance describes audits and procedures for tracking whether proceeds are used appropriately. These safeguards can reduce misuse risk, though they do not establish that the projects will be delivered on budget or that the overall portfolio is worthwhile. [source]
  • Bond financing can fund long-lived public assets Flood-control systems, fire-station retrofits, streets, drainage facilities, and other capital assets provide benefits over many years. Borrowing spreads payment across the period in which residents and property owners use those assets, while the official measure provides a dedicated capital source rather than relying only on annual operating budgets. [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • Property owners would incur a long-term tax obligation The official analysis estimates an annual levy of $49 per $100,000 of assessed value while bonds are outstanding, and general-obligation bonds are repaid from tax revenues over time, usually with interest. The measure may therefore impose a substantial aggregate obligation even though the annual amount for any individual property varies with assessed value and the final borrowing schedule. [source]
  • The measure does not guarantee specific projects or outcomes The official analysis and project list identify broad categories and examples rather than a binding project-by-project budget, schedule, benefit estimate, or completion guarantee. Voters would therefore authorize borrowing while leaving important allocation and implementation decisions to the City, weakening the basis for judging whether the tax cost is worthwhile. [source]
  • More spending does not guarantee safer streets Peer-reviewed evidence on the relationship between road expenditure and safety outcomes is inconclusive. Thus, Measure L’s street, signal, and intersection investments could be beneficial, but the claim that they will deliver worthwhile safety gains is not established without Alameda-specific designs, targets, and evaluations. [source] [source]

See all 13 sources

Measure M - City of Alameda

Charter Amendment - Amend and Repeal Outdated Provisions

Proposed City Charter Amendment Ballot Measure Shall the measure amending City Charter Sections 2-1.1, 2-3, 2-10, 3-7(G), 3-14, 7-2(J), 8-2, 8-5, 10-3, 10-6, 10-7, 10-12, 12-4(A) and (B), 14-1, 17-10, 28-2, 28-3 and 28-4, and repealing Sections 12-3(D) and 23-3 to conform to existing practices and amend and repeal outdated provisions be adopted?

A YES vote meanssee the official election office
A NO vote meanssee the official election office

Fiscal effect: see the official election office.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • Technical board qualifications may strengthen expertise The measure would require one Public Utilities Board member to have specified engineering or alternative-energy experience and would set professional or community-design qualifications for the Historical Advisory Board. Professional qualification standards can add relevant expertise to boards overseeing technical or specialized matters, although the local effect is untested. [source]
  • Clearer vacancy rules could improve continuity Measure M would specify who may designate interim leadership when the City Attorney, City Manager, or City Clerk position becomes vacant. The official analysis describes a sequence involving incumbents, the Council, and, in an unexpected vacancy, the Mayor, which could reduce uncertainty during a leadership gap. [source]

Arguments against

  • Reduced auditor duties could weaken oversight The official analysis says the measure would delete the City Auditor's review of quarterly budget reports with the Mayor and City Manager because the Finance Director performs that review. The change may streamline duplicated work, but critics reasonably argue that removing a Charter-specified auditor role could reduce independent scrutiny; research on municipal auditing links independence from political control… [source] [source]
  • Interim appointment authority could concentrate power The proposed vacancy rules allow incumbents, the Council, and potentially the Mayor to designate interim officials. Although the rules may improve continuity, assigning appointment power before a permanent selection could create concerns about favoritism or reduced independence, especially when the vacant office performs oversight or legal functions. [source] [source]
  • At-will appointments may reduce civil-service safeguards Measure M would clarify that certain executive-level employees and staff supporting elected officials serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority without civil-service protection. Greater discretion may improve responsiveness, but civil-service research identifies job protections and merit systems as important institutional choices that can limit patronage and political pressure. [source]

See all 8 sources

Measure N - City of Alameda

Charter Amendment - Leases and Sales of Real Property Measure

Proposed City Charter Amendment Ballot Measure Shall the measure amending Section 3-10 of the City Charter to change sales or leases of City real property exceeding one year to be approved by resolution rather than by ordinance and to reduce the City Council approval threshold from supermajority four affirmative votes to simple majority three affirmative votes for leases of City real property not exceeding ten years be adopted?

A YES vote meanssee the official election office
A NO vote meanssee the official election office

Fiscal effect: see the official election office.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • The measure could reduce avoidable approval delays The official analysis estimates that replacing ordinances with resolutions would shorten covered approvals by approximately 45 days. Research on supermajority rules also finds that they can increase legislative gridlock, so reducing the threshold for leases of 10 years or less could make routine property arrangements easier to complete. [source] [source]
  • Majority approval aligns with ordinary municipal practice California law generally contemplates majority approval for qualifying municipal real-property transactions unless a higher threshold applies. Measure N would move Alameda’s approval rule for shorter leases closer to that general structure, while leaving the City Charter’s special protections for longer leases and park sales in place. [source]

Arguments against

  • Lowering the threshold weakens minority protection A four-vote requirement gives a minority of one Councilmember greater ability to block a lease, while a three-vote majority can approve it without minority support. Research characterizes supermajority rules as tools for protecting minority interests, so the amendment could reduce that protection for leases of 10 years or less. [source] [source]
  • A resolution may provide less procedural friction than an ordinance The official analysis says resolutions can be adopted at one meeting and take effect immediately, whereas ordinances require two meetings and a waiting period. That speed may reduce opportunities for extended public review of high-value sales or leases, even though Council meetings and records remain public. [source] [source]
  • The measure lacks a demonstrated fiscal benefit The official materials quantify an estimated 45-day process reduction but do not identify projected savings, increased lease revenue, or specific delayed transactions that would be corrected. The City’s property-leasing and RFP materials show relevant activity, but they do not establish that the current process has caused measurable financial harm. [source] [source]

See all 10 sources

Measure O - Albany

Requirement to Zoning Changes Measure

Shall the measure authorizing the Albany City Council to amend the residential voter requirements for zoning changes to the R-1 zoned areas of the City established by Measure D (enacted by the Albany voters in 1978), without majority neighborhood voter approval, after following noticed public hearing and zoning ordinance amendment procedures prescribed by State Law and the Albany Municipal Code, be adopted?

A YES vote meanssee the official election office
A NO vote meanssee the official election office

Fiscal effect: see the official election office.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • It removes an unusual procedural barrier to zoning reform Measure O would replace a requirement for verified approval by at least half of nearby resident voters with noticed public hearings and ordinary zoning-ordinance procedures. Research and policy reviews generally find that restrictive land-use rules can reduce housing supply, so eliminating this additional approval hurdle could improve the city’s ability to plan for housing. The evidence does not establish how many… [source] [source]
  • It could help implement housing plans as conditions change Albany’s housing element and the regional housing-needs process require planning for housing capacity and implementation. HCD guidance says local regulatory systems should provide housing opportunities and avoid undue constraints. Measure O could give elected officials more flexibility to adjust R-1 zoning in response to those planning obligations, although implementation decisions would still be necessary. [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • The measure does not itself approve projects or guarantee housing The official analysis authorizes future zoning changes but identifies no project list, unit count, affordability requirement, financing plan, or construction schedule. Removing neighborhood approval therefore creates authority rather than housing directly. The general literature on zoning reform cannot establish that Albany’s council will use the authority in ways that produce homes or lower costs. [source] [source]
  • It reduces direct neighborhood control over R-1 zoning changes Measure D currently requires support from at least 50% of resident voters within 300 feet of a proposed R-1 zoning change. Measure O would remove that approval condition while retaining public hearings, shifting final authority toward the City Council. Residents could still participate in hearings, but they would lose the specific veto-like approval mechanism established by Measure D. [source]
  • Housing and neighborhood effects remain uncertain The available studies concern broader zoning systems, different reforms, or aggregated California measures rather than Albany’s particular R-1 rule. They do not reliably quantify effects on traffic, infrastructure, displacement, property values, or neighborhood design in Albany. A vote based on expected benefits must therefore rely partly on assumptions about later council actions. [source] [source]

See all 11 sources

Measure P - Albany

Street Paving and Storm Drain Parcel Tax Measure

Shall the measure updating the Street Paving and Storm Drain Special Tax, by adding very low-income rebates and low-income tax exemptions and rebates; applying the tax to possessory interests; and if a parcel over 500,000 square feet becomes exempt from this tax, adjusting the rate from $167.65 per equivalent residential unit to $0.0638 per lot square foot as provided in the measure, providing an estimated $1,400,000 annually until ended by voters, be adopted?

A YES vote meanssee the official election office
A NO vote meanssee the official election office

Fiscal effect: see the official election office.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • It preserves dedicated infrastructure funding Measure P keeps an estimated $1.4 million annually in a dedicated fund for street and storm-drain improvements. Albany’s capital plan identifies streets and storm drains as core infrastructure programs, while road-maintenance research finds that delaying maintenance can raise future agency and user costs. These points support approval if voters prioritize maintaining a predictable local funding stream. [source] [source]
  • The measure adds targeted affordability protections The measure adds a 50% exemption for qualifying low-income property owners and 50% or 100% rebates for qualifying low-income renters, while retaining the existing very-low-income owner exemption. Because property-based taxes can be passed through partly to renters, renter rebates may address a burden that owner-only exemptions would miss. The effectiveness of these protections will depend on participation and… [source] [source]
  • It maintains an accountability mechanism Measure P continues requiring an annual report on tax revenue, spending, and project status. California’s special-tax accountability framework favors disclosure of how dedicated revenues are used. Reporting does not itself prove efficient spending, but it gives voters and officials a recurring basis for oversight. [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • The fiscal effect of the large-parcel provision is uncertain If a parcel of at least 500,000 square feet becomes exempt, the council may use a lot-square-foot rate of up to $0.0638 for all parcels. The official analysis identifies the mechanism but does not provide a parcel-by-parcel distribution, estimate of how often it could be triggered, or comparison with the current tax burden. Voters therefore cannot determine the provision’s full incidence from the official summary… [source]
  • The tax remains a long-term property burden The tax would continue until repealed by voters, and the rate would continue to adjust with inflation subject to a 3% cap. Parcel taxes can be regressive because liability is not necessarily tied to property value or ability to pay. The new exemptions and rebates mitigate but do not eliminate that concern, particularly for households that do not qualify or do not claim relief. [source] [source]
  • Renters may face indirect costs despite rebates Evidence from California indicates that property-tax differences can affect rents for new tenants, suggesting that landlords may pass some tax costs through. Measure P provides rebates only to qualifying renters and only under its eligibility rules, so some renters could bear indirect costs without receiving relief. The study does not measure Albany’s parcel tax specifically, making the local magnitude uncertain. [source] [source]

See all 6 sources

Measure Q - Albany

EMS, ALS, Fire Protection Parcel Tax Measure

Shall the measure updating the Emergency Medical Services, Advanced Life Support, and Fire Protection Special Tax on residential and commercial property, by adding low-income tax exemptions and rebates, and adjusting the rate from $0.0807 per square foot to the new rates as provided in the measure if a parcel over 500,000 square feet in size becomes exempt from this tax, providing an estimated $2,500,000 annually until ended by voters, be adopted?

A YES vote meanssee the official election office
A NO vote meanssee the official election office

Fiscal effect: see the official election office.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • Dedicated revenue supports essential emergency services Measure Q is designed to produce an estimated $2.5 million annually for paramedic, advanced life support, firefighting, equipment, and ambulance services. EMS research indicates that system design, staffing, and response performance can affect patient care, so a dedicated local revenue stream could help maintain capacity. The official documents, however, do not quantify how much Albany’s outcomes would change if… [source] [source]
  • The measure expands targeted relief Measure Q would add 50% exemptions for qualifying low-income resident homeowners and 50% rebates for qualifying low-income renters while retaining full relief for qualifying very-low-income residents. That makes the existing tax structure more progressive for eligible households, although annual application requirements may limit access for some residents. [source]
  • It addresses a structural local-finance constraint California’s Proposition 13 framework limits locally controlled property-tax revenue, and PPIC identifies parcel taxes as a common alternative revenue source for local governments. A dedicated special tax can therefore provide Albany with a more predictable funding stream for services that must remain available even when general revenues are constrained. [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • Revenue is not proof of better service outcomes The official estimate establishes expected revenue, not improved response times, staffing levels, equipment availability, or patient outcomes. The EMS literature supports the general importance of system resources but does not show that Measure Q’s specific revenue would produce measurable benefits in Albany. [source] [source]
  • The tax may burden property owners unevenly Parcel taxes are imposed by parcel characteristics rather than directly by household income or property value, which can create uneven burdens across owners and properties. PPIC’s discussion of California property-tax disparities supports caution about distributional effects, and the measure’s exemptions and rebates may not eliminate all burdens for moderate-income households or businesses. [source] [source]

See all 10 sources

Measure R - Albany

Business License Tax Measure

Shall the measure supporting City of Albany general services, such as fire protection, public safety, environmental and community service programs, by increasing the City's business license tax to those rates specified in the measure, levying the tax upon business gross receipts instead of number of employees, and updating local tax collection procedures, providing an estimated additional $600,000 annually, until ended by voters, with all funds remaining local which cannot be taken by Sacramento be adopted?

A YES vote meanssee the official election office
A NO vote meanssee the official election office

Fiscal effect: see the official election office.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • Gross receipts may better reflect business scale than employee counts The measure would replace employee-count-based calculations for covered businesses with rates tied partly to gross receipts. Municipal tax analyses identify potential advantages in linking liability to business activity and capturing revenue as local economic activity grows, although those advantages are not demonstrated specifically for Albany. [source]

Arguments against

  • Some businesses may face higher liabilities than others Measure R uses different rates and thresholds for residential rentals, retail, services, contractors, professionals, and other businesses. Since the official analysis gives aggregate revenue rather than a distributional estimate, voters cannot determine from the supplied materials which categories or individual firms would experience increases or decreases compared with the current employee-based system. [source]
  • The tax may be passed through to prices or workers Gross-receipts taxes can apply repeatedly across transactions in a supply chain, a phenomenon known as tax pyramiding. The resulting costs may be reflected in prices, supplier choices, wages, or investment, although the magnitude under Albany’s relatively small tax is not established by the available evidence. [source]
  • Gross receipts can tax low-margin businesses despite limited profit Unlike a profit-based tax, a gross-receipts tax generally does not deduct costs of goods sold, compensation, or overhead. Research on gross-receipts taxes warns that liabilities can therefore diverge from profitability, which may burden businesses with high sales but low margins. [source] [source]

See all 7 sources

Measure S - Albany

Real Property Transfer Tax Measure

To support City of Albany general services, with funding that cannot be taken by Sacramento, including: street and park maintenance, recreation, public safety, and environmental programs, shall a measure adjusting the City's real property transfer tax rate from $15.00 to between $10.00 and $30.00 per $1,000 purchased, depending upon the property's purchase price, providing an additional $1,000,000 annually, until ended by voters, with all funds remaining local be adopted?

A YES vote meanssee the official election office
A NO vote meanssee the official election office

Fiscal effect: see the official election office.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • Measure S would create locally controlled general-fund revenue The official analysis estimates that the revised rates would generate an additional $1 million annually, with the proceeds remaining in Albany’s General Fund and available for valid city purposes. That flexibility could help maintain services without relying on Sacramento or dedicating funds to only one program. The estimate is authoritative for the measure’s stated fiscal effect, but it remains a forecast… [source]
  • The rate structure places higher rates on higher-value transactions Measure S lowers the rate to 1% for transactions below the 25th percentile and raises it to 2.5% or 3% for transactions in the upper price percentiles. Policy analyses argue that progressive transfer taxes can make local revenue systems more equitable by seeking larger contributions from high-value sales. The measure’s percentile formula may also adapt to changing local prices, although the resulting thresholds are… [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • Reduced sales could lower expected revenue Transfer-tax receipts depend on the number and value of completed transactions, so taxpayers may respond by delaying sales, changing deal structures, or avoiding transactions near rate thresholds. Evidence from Los Angeles links a high-value transfer tax to fewer high-value sales, while research on related fiscal effects warns that reduced transactions can diminish other property-tax revenue. Albany’s smaller tax… [source] [source]
  • The revenue forecast may be volatile The official $1 million estimate is an annual projection rather than a guarantee. Transfer taxes fluctuate with market conditions and transaction volume, and comparative municipal evidence shows that receipts can vary widely over time. If Albany relies on the revenue for ongoing services, it may need reserves or alternative funding when the property market weakens. [source]
  • Higher transaction costs could reduce housing mobility Empirical research on stamp-duty schedules finds that transaction taxes can discourage household moves by increasing the cost of selling and buying homes. Albany’s rates would vary with transaction percentiles, and the proposed increases could therefore create some lock-in, particularly for transactions moving into higher-rate categories. The magnitude for Albany is uncertain because the strongest mobility evidence… [source]

See all 12 sources

Measure T - Albany

Street Trees & Streetlighting Parcel Tax Measure

Shall the measure to enact a special parcel tax on non-exempt property in the City at $0.0354 per lot square foot to maintain and improve public street trees and streetlighting to enhance local safety and sustainability, subject to an annual consumer price index adjustment up to 3%, exempting qualifying low-income residents, providing an estimated $775,000 annually until ended by voters, be adopted?

A YES vote meanssee the official election office
A NO vote meanssee the official election office

Fiscal effect: see the official election office.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • Lighting improvements have credible safety benefits Albany’s official evaluation documents a citywide lighting-infrastructure need involving roughly 900 streetlights. Systematic-review evidence and a randomized study indicate that improved street lighting can reduce crime in some settings, although the size of any Albany-specific effect is uncertain. [source] [source]
  • Street trees can provide environmental and public benefits The evidence review covering 115 studies finds that urban trees can reduce heat through shade and evapotranspiration. Trees may also provide broader ecosystem and neighborhood benefits, so dedicated maintenance funding could preserve or expand those services. [source] [source]
  • Dedicated revenue could protect services from general-budget pressure Measure T would place estimated annual revenue into a dedicated fund and require annual reporting on collections, spending, and funded work. California fiscal research identifies parcel taxes as a way for local governments to diversify revenue when other funding sources are constrained. [source]

Arguments against

  • The measure’s outcomes are not guaranteed The official documents specify funding and reporting requirements but do not guarantee particular numbers of trees, lighting upgrades, service levels, or safety outcomes. The research shows that tree benefits vary by design and survival, and lighting effects vary by context, so $775,000 annually may not be sufficient to achieve the measure’s stated goals. [source] [source]
  • Parcel taxes can burden owners and some renters The tax is based on taxable lot square footage rather than property value or income, which can make the charge less closely tied to ability to pay. Measure T includes low-income exemptions and renter rebates, but eligible residents must qualify and obtain those protections; broader parcel-tax research also identifies distributional concerns. [source] [source]
  • Tree maintenance creates continuing costs and possible tradeoffs Albany’s existing urban-forestry program already incurs staff, contract, equipment, and supply costs. Research on urban-tree mortality indicates that planting benefits depend on long-term survival and maintenance, so expanding assets without durable maintenance planning could reduce value or create future liabilities. [source] [source]

See all 12 sources

Measure U - Berkeley

Bond Measure

Shall the measure authorizing issuance of $300,000,000 in general obligation bonds to fund acquisition and improvement of fire stations, emergency response facilities, parks and recreation facilities, and other public infrastructure and facilities, and increase climate resiliency, subject to independent oversight and audits, be adopted?

A YES vote meanssee the official election office
A NO vote meanssee the official election office

Fiscal effect: see the official election office.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • The bond targets documented infrastructure needs Berkeley identifies $1.65–$2 billion in unfunded infrastructure and deferred-maintenance needs across buildings, sidewalks, parks, and other assets. Measure U would provide a dedicated capital source for a portion of those needs, including emergency-response and seismic improvements. The evidence establishes the scale of the need, although it does not prove that every proposed project is optimally prioritized. [source]
  • Fire and emergency facilities may improve resilience City facilities documents identify seismic and operational needs involving fire facilities, emergency operations, and training capacity. Funding these assets could preserve emergency-service capability during earthquakes or other disruptions. The available sources do not quantify expected response-time gains, so the benefit is plausible rather than precisely measured. [source] [source]
  • Bond financing matches long-lived public assets Fire stations, public buildings, parks, and resilience improvements can provide benefits over decades, making long-term borrowing a potentially appropriate financing method. National municipal-finance evidence describes property taxes and borrowing as common tools for local infrastructure investment. Whether the financing is affordable for Berkeley depends on the City’s broader debt and tax base, which the official… [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • The authorization does not guarantee specific project outcomes The official language authorizes bonds for categories of improvements and refers to capital programs and frameworks, but the cited analysis does not guarantee a fixed list of completed projects or quantified performance outcomes. Consequently, voters cannot infer from the bond amount alone how much emergency response, park improvement, or resilience capacity will result. Implementation risk remains material even… [source] [source]
  • The measure creates a long-term property-tax obligation Measure U would be repaid through property taxes for an estimated 40 years, with average annual costs of $22.14 per $100,000 of assessed value and a projected maximum rate of about $35. This makes approval a durable fiscal commitment rather than a one-time expenditure. The official estimate is authoritative for the City’s projection but does not show how the tax interacts with other future levies. [source]
  • The project scope is broad and may dilute priorities The measure covers emergency facilities, parks, accessibility, seismic upgrades, climate resilience, modernization, public art, and other infrastructure. Critics argue that this breadth makes it harder for voters to assess which projects will be delivered and whether the most urgent needs come first. The criticism is reported in news coverage and opinion writing, not established by an independent project-ranking… [source] [source]

See all 9 sources

Measure V - Berkeley

Sales Tax Measure

Shall the measure levying a 0.5% sales tax in Berkeley, increasing the total sales tax rate in the City to 10.75%, estimated to generate $9,000,000 to $10,000,000 annually, with proceeds placed into the General Fund for general City uses, including but not limited to sustaining fire, police and 911 dispatch services, youth and senior services, and community programs, until ended by the voters, with independent audits, be adopted?

A YES vote meanssee the official election office
A NO vote meanssee the official election office

Fiscal effect: see the official election office.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • General-fund revenue gives the city flexibility Because Measure V is a general tax rather than a narrowly restricted levy, the city could direct proceeds toward its highest-priority lawful needs as conditions change. The official measure also preserves independent annual audit requirements, providing some financial oversight even though it does not require spending on a particular program. [source]
  • The measure could preserve essential city services The official analysis confirms that the tax would provide $9 million to $10 million annually in unrestricted General Fund revenue, which could be used for fire, police, 911 dispatch, and other municipal purposes. Local reporting links the proposal to a structural deficit and possible service reductions, though the size and persistence of those projected cuts depend on future budget decisions. [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • The measure does not guarantee funding for named services Although the ballot language mentions fire, police, 911 dispatch, youth, senior, and community services, the official analysis states that the proceeds enter the General Fund and may be spent on any valid municipal purpose. Voters would therefore authorize revenue without a legally binding allocation formula or service-level guarantee. [source]
  • Higher local prices could affect shopping behavior Empirical studies of Berkeley and Oakland beverage taxes found price and purchasing effects, including evidence relevant to cross-border shopping. Those taxes apply to narrower products, so they cannot quantify Measure V’s effect, but they support the possibility that a higher Berkeley tax rate could shift some purchases outside the city or online. [source] [source]
  • Sales taxes can burden lower-income households more Research and California policy analysis generally identify sales taxes as regressive because lower-income households spend a larger share of their income on consumption. The opposition therefore argues that Measure V would place disproportionate pressure on students, seniors, working families, and low-income residents. [source]

See all 10 sources

Measure W - Berkeley

Charter Amendment Measure

Shall the measure amending the City Charter to reduce candidate filing fees; eliminate signatures in lieu of filing fee process; eliminate certain personal information from candidate statements; clarify and revise initiative, referendum and recall processes; amend election timelines for filling Mayor and Councilmember vacancies; increase the maximum amount from the public campaign financing fund for administration and enforcement from $250,000 to $400,000 per four-year election cycle; and make other changes be adopted?

A YES vote meanssee the official election office
A NO vote meanssee the official election office

Fiscal effect: see the official election office.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • Clearer petition rules may reduce legal uncertainty The official analysis identifies deadlines for attaching certificates of initiative-petition sufficiency, council ballot placement, recall publication, petition filing, and judicial remedies for allegedly insufficient or defamatory recall materials. Clearer rules can reduce disputes over timing and procedure. Whether the revisions improve access depends on how the new deadlines are administered and interpreted. [source]
  • Lower fees may reduce barriers to candidacy The official analysis says Measure W would replace Berkeley's $150 filing fee with the state amount, currently $25, and eliminate the signatures-in-lieu process. Lower direct costs and fewer procedural steps could make candidacy more accessible, especially for people without established campaign organizations. The evidence supports the mechanism, but there is no Berkeley-specific estimate of how many additional… [source]
  • Administration funding could strengthen campaign-finance oversight Berkeley's public-financing program requires eligibility review, matching-fund administration, reporting, and enforcement. The GAO's comparative review identifies administrative design and capacity as factors affecting public-finance participation and operation. Raising the maximum administrative and enforcement allocation could help the city perform those functions, although the measure does not guarantee that the… [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • The higher administrative cap may increase public costs The measure raises the maximum amount available for campaign-finance administration and enforcement from $250,000 to $400,000 per four-year cycle, with cost-of-living adjustments. That creates additional spending authority, but the official analysis does not quantify expected expenditures, funding sources, or savings. The case against approval therefore rests on fiscal uncertainty rather than evidence that the full… [source]
  • Procedural changes could shift access to recalls and petitions Deadlines and publication requirements determine how much time recall proponents have and how quickly officials must process initiatives and referenda. Comparative evidence shows that jurisdictions use different recall circulation deadlines, while research describes signature rules as a tradeoff between preventing overuse and preserving access. The available evidence does not establish whether Berkeley's particular… [source] [source]

See all 8 sources

Measure X - Berkeley

Rent Ordinance Amendment Measure

Shall the measure to amend the Rent Stabilization and Eviction for Just Cause Ordinance by making most rent control and registration exemptions inapplicable to units that were not exempt when the current tenancy began; allowing modification or waiver of fees for subsidized units owned or leased by nonprofits; changing the annual registration deadline; limiting annual rent increases to ten percent; and allowing tenant associations in smaller properties, be adopted?

A YES vote meanssee the official election office
A NO vote meanssee the official election office

Fiscal effect: see the official election office.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • The measure would improve stability for covered tenants Measure X would prevent certain units from losing protections merely because their legal characteristics change during an existing tenancy, and it would impose a 10% annual ceiling on lawful periodic rent increases. Evidence from San Francisco finds that rent control reduced displacement and produced substantial benefits for incumbent tenants, although the Berkeley measure is not identical. [source]
  • Broader tenant associations could improve collective representation The official analysis would make tenant associations available in smaller qualifying properties and preserve an association’s authorization after a management change. These provisions could reduce coordination barriers and help tenants raise maintenance or rent-related concerns, but the sources do not quantify how many associations would form or whether outcomes would improve. [source]

Arguments against

  • The 10% ceiling may have limited effects for many covered units The official analysis describes a 10% maximum but does not state how often rents currently rise above that level or how many units would be newly covered. Berkeley already has rent-stabilization rules for many units, so the incremental effect may be concentrated among specific exemptions and high-increase cases rather than applying uniformly across the rental market. [source] [source]
  • Benefits may favor incumbent tenants over future movers Research on Bay Area rent stabilization finds that it helps lower-socioeconomic-status residents remain in place but can prevent other low-income residents from moving into regulated units. The same study and the San Francisco evidence indicate lower mobility, so Measure X could improve security for current tenants while narrowing opportunities for households searching for housing. [source] [source]
  • The measure could reduce rental supply and raise market rents The San Francisco quasi-experiment found that landlords affected by rent-control expansion reduced rental housing supply by 15%, with an estimated 5.1% citywide rent increase. That result does not prove Measure X would have the same effect, but it is a strong warning that expanded or more durable controls can create costs for renters who are not already protected. [source]

See all 8 sources

Measure Y - Berkeley

Initiative - Arts Tax Measure

Shall the measure creating a special parcel tax to fund grants for performing arts organizations, art projects, art organization operational and programmatic expenses and capital projects, community festivals, and administrative costs, with oversight by the City's Civic Arts Commission, at a rate of $0.07 per square foot of improvements, estimated to generate approximately $6,300,000 annually and $84,800,000 over its twelve- year duration, be adopted?

A YES vote meanssee the official election office
A NO vote meanssee the official election office

Fiscal effect: see the official election office.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • Community arts may improve social connection and well-being Integrative and systematic reviews associate arts participation with social cohesion and aspects of health and well-being, including among older adults. Measure Y includes funding for festivals, individual projects, and community arts, which could broaden access beyond major institutions. The research is supportive of arts participation generally, not a direct evaluation of Measure Y's specific reach or outcomes. [source] [source]
  • Stable arts funding may preserve local cultural infrastructure Measure Y would dedicate an estimated $6.3 million annually to arts organizations and projects for 12 years, with 75% reserved for performing arts organizations. Supporters can reasonably argue that predictable operating support helps organizations maintain staff, programming, and venues during periods of financial pressure. The evidence establishes the funding mechanism and sector need more clearly than it… [source]
  • Arts activity can generate local economic spillovers A Berkeley-commissioned analysis estimated approximately $56 million in additional annual local spending associated with visitors to 37 arts and culture nonprofits. Broader arts-sector research also links nonprofit arts activity with employment and audience spending. These findings support potential economic spillovers, although they do not demonstrate that the tax would create net new spending rather than shift… [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • Fixed grant rules may limit adaptability and accountability The official analysis fixes the allocation percentages and states that the City Council could not amend the measure without voter approval except for narrow technical or regulatory changes. The Civic Arts Commission would oversee grants, but the measure does not itself specify outcome metrics such as attendance, geographic reach, affordability, or independent performance audits. This could make the program less… [source]
  • The tax may shift costs to renters and property users Measure Y taxes property improvements, while the official analysis does not specify how much of the charge would be paid by owners versus passed through to tenants. A Berkeley-focused quasi-experimental study found substantial pass-through of property-tax shocks to renters, although its estimates concern a different tax design. This creates a plausible distributional cost, especially for tenants who do not directly… [source]
  • Economic impact estimates may overstate net benefits Arts economic-impact studies commonly report associated spending and employment, but associated activity is not necessarily additional regional output. The Berkeley study was commissioned by the City, and the national AEP6 study was produced by an arts-sector organization. Neither directly estimates whether Measure Y's benefits would exceed the tax burden or account fully for displaced spending and taxation costs. [source] [source]

See all 11 sources

Measure Z - Berkeley

Initiative - Public Bank Measure

Shall the measure creating a special parcel tax to capitalize and support a public bank to fund investments in affordable housing, green energy/infrastructure and small businesses, at rates of $0.06/square foot of residential improvements and $0.09/square foot of non-residential improvements, estimated to generate approximately $9,200,000 the first year and $58,300,000 over its six-year duration, with funds subject to review, allocation and approval by the City Council and regular audits, be adopted?

A YES vote meanssee the official election office
A NO vote meanssee the official election office

Fiscal effect: see the official election office.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • The bank could expand mission-oriented lending Measure Z would create a dedicated capital source for affordable housing, green infrastructure, and small-business lending, rather than relying solely on conventional lending priorities. Research on community finance and SME finance indicates that appropriately designed financial-access programs can improve financing opportunities, although outcomes depend on implementation. The proposal's reinvestment requirement… [source] [source]
  • Public banking has a successful operating precedent Bank of North Dakota's reported assets, profits, and return on investment show that a publicly owned bank can operate as a financially viable institution. Supporters argue that public ownership can align lending with community objectives and recycle returns into public purposes. However, North Dakota's experience is a precedent rather than a forecast for Berkeley. [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • The measure would tax residents before bank authorization is assured The official analysis states that the bank must complete a feasibility study and obtain state authorization, while California imposes limits on the number of public-bank licenses. If authorization is not secured by June 30, 2033, the fund could temporarily make loans, but the measure would still collect the parcel tax during the development period. This creates timing and execution risk for taxpayers. [source] [source]
  • Political control could weaken lending decisions Measure Z places review, allocation, and approval of funds with the City Council. Banking research associates political influence in credit allocation with poorer post-lending performance, and broader reviews identify political interference as a recurring banking risk. Audits and reports improve accountability but do not eliminate the possibility of politically motivated or weakly underwritten loans. [source] [source]
  • Berkeley taxpayers may subsidize regional benefits The measure's tax is collected in Berkeley, while the proposed institution is described publicly as regional and could finance projects beyond the city. Critics therefore argue that the geographic distribution of benefits may not match the distribution of tax costs. The official measure establishes the tax and purposes but does not guarantee that Berkeley projects receive a specified share of lending. [source] [source]

See all 13 sources

Measure AA - Berkeley

Initiative - Soda Tax Measure

Shall the measure replacing the City's $0.01 per fluid ounce general tax on the distribution of sugar- sweetened beverages with a $0.02 per fluid ounce special tax to fund public health, nutrition, and drinking water accessibility programs by nonprofits, the City, or Berkeley Unified School District, retaining current exemptions for small retailers, milk products, baby formula, alcoholic beverages, and medical and weight-loss products, estimated to generate approximately $2,200,000 annually, until repealed by the voters, be adopted?

A YES vote meanssee the official election office
A NO vote meanssee the official election office

Fiscal effect: see the official election office.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • The existing Berkeley tax reduced sugary-drink purchases Berkeley’s first-year evaluation found lower prices-adjusted sales and consumption of taxed beverages, with a reported 9.6% decline in purchases compared with increases in comparison locations. Systematic reviews of US natural experiments likewise find that SSB taxes generally raise prices and reduce purchases, supporting the mechanism behind Measure AA. [source] [source]
  • Modeling suggests potential prevention of chronic disease A California cost-effectiveness analysis estimated that a $0.01-per-ounce tax could prevent cases of obesity and diabetes and produce quality-adjusted life-year gains. This supports the possibility that stronger taxation could yield health benefits, but the result is modeled rather than an observed evaluation of doubling Berkeley’s rate. [source] [source]
  • Dedicated revenue could fund complementary health programs Measure AA would provide an estimated $2.2 million annually for public-health, nutrition, drinking-water, community, City, and school-district programs. Because taxes alone may have limited effects on long-term health, using revenue for food access, nutrition education, disease prevention, and water access could reinforce behavioral changes. [source]

Arguments against

  • Direct evidence for long-term health improvement remains limited The strongest research consensus concerns prices and beverage purchases, not demonstrated reductions in obesity, diabetes, or other long-term outcomes from a city-level tax. Reviews specifically identify limited follow-up and methodological uncertainty, so the evidence does not establish that doubling Berkeley’s rate would produce enough health improvement to justify the added cost. [source] [source]
  • The evidence does not directly evaluate Measure AA Most available Berkeley evidence evaluates the original $0.01-per-ounce tax, while Measure AA would double the rate and change revenue restrictions and program uses. Results from other jurisdictions and models inform likely mechanisms but cannot demonstrate the specific net benefits or costs of this measure. [source] [source]
  • Substitution could reduce the intended health effect A reduction in taxed-beverage purchases does not necessarily equal an equivalent reduction in total added-sugar intake if consumers switch to untaxed sugary products or other high-calorie beverages. Systematic reviews identify substitution and product changes as important uncertainties, and Measure AA’s city-level design cannot resolve them in advance. [source] [source]

See all 12 sources

Measure BB - Emeryville

Business Tax Measure

City Services/ Business License Reform Measure. "To protect City of Emeryville services/ensure smaller businesses pay less than larger businesses, shall the measure be adopted to: keep parks/playgrounds safe; repair potholes/maintain streets; maintain 9-1-1 response; improve crime prevention; maintain senior/ youth services; general government use; by updating/ simplifying Emeryville's 42 year old business license rates up to 0.4% of gross receipts (described in the ordinance) until ended by voters, providing $12,400,000 annually, requiring independent oversight?"

A YES vote meanssee the official election office
A NO vote meanssee the official election office

Fiscal effect: see the official election office.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • The measure would create recurring municipal revenue The official materials estimate approximately $12.4 million in annual revenue, while the measure would place the money in the General Fund for legitimate municipal purposes. That recurring revenue could help maintain existing services and address budget pressure, although the measure does not legally dedicate funds to each service named in the ballot question. [source] [source]
  • The tax schedule is more predictable than the current system The official analysis says the current ordinance has 56 categories based on varied measures such as employees, vehicles, operating days, and assets. Replacing most of those calculations with a small number of gross-receipts categories could simplify administration and make liabilities easier to estimate, though gross-receipts reporting still creates compliance obligations. [source]

Arguments against

  • Tax pyramiding could raise effective costs through supply chains Gross-receipts taxes can apply repeatedly as goods or services move through multiple business transactions. That pyramiding can make the effective burden exceed the nominal 0.1% to 0.4% rate and may be passed through in prices or absorbed by margins, with the actual effect depending on each firm’s transactions and customers. [source] [source]
  • Gross-receipts taxation can burden unprofitable firms Unlike a profit-based tax, a gross-receipts tax generally applies to sales without fully deducting operating costs. Research and policy analyses identify disproportionate effects on low-margin, high-volume firms and startups, although Measure BB’s rule using in-city operating costs as the tax base when costs exceed receipts may reduce this risk for some businesses. [source]
  • Higher taxes could affect business location decisions Empirical research finds that local tax differences can influence where some establishments locate, especially when firms are mobile. The evidence does not quantify Emeryville’s likely response to Measure BB, and the city’s market access and existing business ecosystem may offset some relocation incentives, so this is a risk rather than a demonstrated outcome. [source] [source]

See all 12 sources

Measure CC - Hayward

Business Tax Ordinance Measure

HAYWARD BUSINESS LICENSE TAX MODERNIZATION: Shall the measure updating the Hayward Business License Tax for the first time since 1978, to support general city services, including neighborhood police protection, firefighting, 911 response, libraries, and pothole repair, generating an additional $12 million annually until repealed, with a minimum tax of $60 and rates from $.30 to $3.75 per $1,000 of gross receipts, with higher rates for higher-grossing businesses, as stated in the ordinance, be adopted?

A YES vote meanssee the official election office
A NO vote meanssee the official election office

Fiscal effect: see the official election office.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • The measure would create recurring unrestricted city revenue Official documents estimate approximately $12 million in additional annual revenue and describe the proceeds as usable for general governmental purposes. Hayward’s budget identifies police, fire, streets, libraries, and related services as General Fund responsibilities, so recurring revenue could improve fiscal capacity for those services. The documents do not guarantee particular spending levels or service outcomes. [source]
  • The proposed schedule is more progressive than the current system The official analysis says the current structure relies primarily on flat fees and employee counts, while the proposal uses gross-receipts brackets and higher rates for higher-grossing businesses. That design could shift more of the new liability toward larger businesses and reduce reliance on a one-size-fits-all schedule. Whether the overall burden is progressive across industries cannot be determined without a… [source]

Arguments against

  • The tax may pyramid through supply chains Economic literature and tax-policy analysis identify pyramiding when business receipts are taxed at multiple production or distribution stages. If Hayward businesses transact with one another, the ultimate burden could exceed the statutory rate and distort vertical integration or sourcing decisions, although the actual effect depends on the ordinance’s classifications and apportionment rules. [source] [source]
  • Local taxes can influence business location decisions Empirical research indicates that municipal tax differences can enter firms’ relocation or location decisions, though local amenities and agglomeration benefits also matter. Measure CC’s effects on Hayward’s business base are therefore uncertain; the available studies do not quantify how many firms or jobs would respond to this particular schedule. [source] [source]
  • Gross receipts are not the same as profit A gross-receipts tax applies before deductions for costs such as wages, inventory, and other operating expenses. Consequently, a high-volume, low-margin business may face a larger burden relative to profit than a high-margin business with the same receipts, which could make the measure harder on some retailers, wholesalers, or other low-margin firms. [source] [source]

See all 10 sources

Measure DD - Newark

Newark Essential Services Protection Measure

"Newark Essential Services Protection Measure. To protect city services such as repairing potholes/streets; keeping neighborhoods safe/clean, and maintaining 9-1-1 emergency response/fire protection/ neighborhood police patrols/parks/recreation programs, shall the measure be adopted updating Newark's 56-yearold business license ordinance, lowering many small businesses' taxes, with rates up to 0.3% of gross receipts (as described in the ordinance), raising $6,600,000 annually until ended by voters, with spending disclosure/ independent audits?"

A YES vote meanssee the official election office
A NO vote meanssee the official election office

Fiscal effect: see the official election office.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • Many small businesses would receive a lower minimum tax Measure DD would replace the current $39 minimum with $25 on the first $100,000 of gross receipts, and the city says many small businesses would pay less. That feature gives the proposal a narrower burden for some low-receipt businesses than a simple across-the-board tax increase. [source] [source]
  • The measure supplies recurring local revenue The impartial analysis estimates approximately $6.6 million annually and says the revenue must be spent in Newark, although it is legally unrestricted general-tax revenue. A recurring source could help preserve streets, public safety, emergency response, parks, and other city functions, especially where the city’s budget identifies continuing operational and infrastructure pressures. [source]
  • A broad receipts base can simplify collection Gross-receipts taxes generally use sales rather than profit calculations, which can make administration more straightforward and less dependent on auditing business expenses. Existing local implementation in San Francisco shows that a California municipality can administer activity-based gross-receipts taxation, though Newark’s results may differ. [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • The Newark-specific fiscal estimate has limited public validation The official analysis supplies an estimated annual yield but, in the materials identified here, does not show the underlying business-count, receipts, behavioral-response, or recession-sensitivity assumptions. That makes the estimate authoritative as the city’s stated projection but insufficient to establish how stable the revenue would be. [source] [source]
  • Gross-receipts taxation can burden low-margin firms Because the tax applies to revenue rather than profit, businesses with high costs or narrow margins may owe tax even when profits are small or negative. Research on gross-receipts systems identifies tax pyramiding and unequal burdens across supply chains, concerns that are relevant to Newark’s manufacturing, wholesale, contracting, and distribution categories. [source] [source]
  • Some costs may reach consumers and workers Economic analyses find that businesses may respond to gross-receipts taxes through higher prices, lower wages, reduced returns, or changed business decisions. The magnitude is uncertain for Newark, but the proposed tax base creates plausible pass-through effects beyond the businesses that remit the tax. [source]

See all 11 sources

Measure EE - Oakland

Charter Amendment Measure

Shall the measure to amend Oakland's City Charter to, among other things, (1) make the Mayor the City's chief executive with a legislative veto, 2 empower the Council to override vetoes, confirm appointments of certain directors, and appoint an Independent Budget and Legislative Analyst, 3 affirm Councilmembers right to acquire information from other City officials, 4 require Councilmembers to work full-time, and 5 empower the Public Ethics Commission to set salaries for all City elected officials using similar formulas, be adopted?

A YES vote meanssee the official election office
A NO vote meanssee the official election office

Fiscal effect: see the official election office.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • Independent budget analysis could strengthen fiscal scrutiny Oakland's proposed analyst office would provide the Council with independent fiscal, policy, and feasibility analysis. San Diego's established office performs a comparable review of the mayoral budget, showing that this oversight model is operationally plausible. The available evidence does not quantify savings or demonstrate that Oakland's proposed office would pay for itself. [source] [source]
  • The measure clarifies executive responsibility Measure EE would make the Mayor the chief executive and place most departments under mayoral management, giving voters a clearer connection between executive performance and an elected official. Supporters argue this could reduce ambiguity in Oakland's current hybrid structure. The evidence supports the institutional change, but not a guaranteed improvement in services. [source] [source]
  • Council checks could balance stronger mayoral authority The measure does not give the Mayor unchecked control: the Council could override vetoes, confirm specified department heads, conduct hearings, issue subpoenas, and create an independent analyst office. These provisions could improve legislative oversight while preserving a single executive. Whether the override threshold and appointment powers are sufficient is uncertain. [source]

Arguments against

  • The measure concentrates substantial power in one office The Mayor would control most departments and gain legislative and line-item budget veto powers, while the Council would lose the Mayor's existing tie-breaking vote. Although overrides are available, a strong executive could shape administration and policy more directly than under the current arrangement. Research on municipal government form does not establish that this concentration improves performance. [source] [source]
  • The measure adds recurring costs during fiscal strain The official fiscal analysis estimates $2.0 million to $2.6 million in first-year costs, with ongoing costs subject to inflation. Oakland has also faced warnings about a recurring structural deficit, making new personnel and salary obligations a meaningful tradeoff. Supporters may regard the costs as an investment in governance, but the fiscal analysis does not identify offsetting savings. [source]
  • Higher salaries could create a public-sector cost concern The Auditor estimates additional Council salary and benefit costs of $288,000 to $867,000 in the first year, while the Public Ethics Commission would gain authority to set salaries using comparisons with other full-time officials. Higher compensation could help recruit candidates and support full-time service, but it also creates a recurring cost and a potential perception of self-benefit. [source]

See all 9 sources

Measure FF - Oakland

Real Property Tax Measure

Shall the measure amending Oakland's Real Property Transfer Tax Ordinance to eliminate the foreclosure exception for all property transfers except transfers converting commercial property to certain housing or healthcare uses, transfers to community banking organizations, and certain transfers of residential properties of four units or less, and allowing the City Council to establish, amend, or remove foreclosure-related exceptions, raising approximately $4-$13 million annually pursuant to tax rates in Oakland Municipal Code section 4.20.020, beginning January 1, 2027 until repealed, be adopted?

A YES vote meanssee the official election office
A NO vote meanssee the official election office

Fiscal effect: see the official election office.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • It would treat comparable property transfers more consistently Measure FF would remove the broad foreclosure exception while retaining protections for specified small residential transfers, community banking organizations, and conversions serving housing or healthcare uses. This supports the argument that large commercial or institutional foreclosure transfers should not receive an automatic exemption unavailable to ordinary taxable transfers. [1][2][3] [source] [source]
  • Large distressed-property transfers may be an appropriate tax base Evidence from San Francisco indicates that exempt foreclosure-related transfers can include substantial multifamily and office property, rather than only distressed owner-occupied homes. Oakland’s retained small-residential exception similarly directs the tax toward larger or institutional transactions. [14][15] [source]
  • Foreclosure activity can impose broader public costs Peer-reviewed research links foreclosures with lower nearby property values and local-government fiscal effects. If foreclosure-related distress creates neighborhood costs, collecting revenue from some resulting transfers could help the city respond, although the measure does not earmark funds for foreclosure prevention or neighborhood stabilization. [6][7][8][9][10] [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • The tax may be passed through or reduce recovery values Transfer-tax research finds substantial capitalization into prices and possible reductions in transactions. In foreclosure settings, a tax based on fair-market value could reduce the net value recovered by lenders or affect bidding and disposition decisions, although the available studies do not directly estimate Oakland’s measure. [1][14][16] [source] [source]
  • The revenue estimate is uncertain and market-dependent The official estimate is based on a sample of recent commercial foreclosures, while Oakland’s transfer-tax revenue is generally volatile because it depends on real-estate transactions. A decline in foreclosure volume or property values could produce substantially less revenue than projected. [1][4] [source]
  • A transaction tax can reduce market activity Research on housing transfer taxes finds that they can reduce household mobility and transactions, with potential welfare losses. Although Measure FF targets foreclosure-related transfers rather than ordinary home sales, the broader evidence cautions that transaction taxes can alter behavior and reduce the tax base. [11][12][16] [source] [source]

See all 14 sources

Measure GG - Piedmont

Real Property Conveyance Tax Measure

Shall the measure, providing funding for City of Piedmont's essential city services, such as police, fire, and emergency medical response; and maintenance of aging City buildings, parks, stormwater drains, roads and sidewalks, by increasing the real estate transfer tax from 1.3% to 1.75% to be more in line with neighboring cities and to generate approximately $1,500,000 annually in general tax revenue until ended by voters, be adopted?

A YES vote meanssee the official election office
A NO vote meanssee the official election office

Fiscal effect: see the official election office.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • Additional revenue could support ongoing service and capital needs Piedmont’s budget documents identify city services and public-space investments as continuing municipal priorities. Measure GG could supplement those resources, particularly where general funds must compete between public safety, facilities, roads, drainage, parks, and other needs. [source] [source]
  • The tax targets property transfers rather than annual ownership Measure GG would impose the additional charge when property is sold or transferred, rather than as an annual tax on every property owner. This may make the measure more acceptable to voters who prefer a transaction-based source, although the eventual economic burden can be shared through prices or negotiated between parties. [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • Projected revenue may be less reliable than estimated Transfer-tax receipts depend on property values and transaction volume, both of which can weaken during a housing downturn. Evidence from local-government finances and research on transaction-tax spillovers suggests that the direct estimate may not capture broader fiscal effects or cyclical volatility. [source] [source]
  • The tax may discourage housing transactions and mobility A peer-reviewed quasi-experimental study found that higher housing transfer taxes can reduce household mobility. If similar effects occur in Piedmont, the measure could discourage some sales, delay moves, and reduce the number of taxable transactions; the Finnish setting and tax design mean the magnitude for Piedmont is uncertain. [source]
  • The measure could affect housing supply or development incentives Studies of Los Angeles’ substantially different transfer-tax reforms report changes in housing-market and construction outcomes, while advocacy reports argue that transfer taxes suppress supply. These findings raise a plausible concern, but they do not establish that Piedmont’s smaller, flat-rate increase would produce the same effects. [source] [source]

See all 12 sources

Measure HH - Pleasanton

Uniform Transient Occupancy Tax Measure

Shall a measure be adopted to increase the City's Uniform Transient Occupancy Tax paid by hotel guests from 8% to 10% on July 1, 2027, and to 12% on July 1, 2028, generating an estimated $1.4 to $2.8 million per year in additional revenue, that can be used to maintain city services, such as: police and fire protection; park and street maintenance; recreation programs; and other general government uses, until ended by voters?

A YES vote meanssee the official election office
A NO vote meanssee the official election office

Fiscal effect: see the official election office.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • Research does not show automatic hotel-market damage Peer-reviewed studies of U.S. hotels and destinations find that lodging-tax increases do not necessarily reduce occupancy or hotel performance. One study reports that the tax could be passed through to guests without negative effects on occupancy, average daily rate, or revenue per available room in its sample. [source] [source]

Arguments against

  • The revenue estimate is not a guarantee The $1.4 million and $2.8 million figures are City estimates, while the City also reports that hotel-tax revenue has not recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Future occupancy, room supply, travel patterns, and economic conditions could make actual receipts lower than projected. [source]
  • Higher prices could reduce demand in a competitive market Hotel-tax research emphasizes that effects depend on demand elasticity, nearby substitutes, destination characteristics, and customer price sensitivity. Industry opposition to comparable increases reflects a plausible competitiveness concern, but the available evidence does not quantify how large that effect would be in Pleasanton. [source] [source]

See all 10 sources

Measure II - Union City

Union City Essential Services Extension Measure

"Union City Essential Services Extension Measure. To maintain critical city services, including 9-1-1 emergency response/paramedics/ fire protection; street/pothole repair; neighborhood police patrols; crime/gun violence prevention programs; youth/senior programs; and other city services, shall the measure extending the City of Union City's existing voter- approved utility users tax for 9 years at the current 5% rate no increase , providing $7,000,000 annually, with senior/low-income exemptions, annual audits, and all funds locally controlled, be adopted?"

A YES vote meanssee the official election office
A NO vote meanssee the official election office

Fiscal effect: see the official election office.

Quoted from the official voter guide.

The evidence on both sides

Arguments for

  • Audits and financial reporting provide oversight Measure II would continue annual financial audits by an independent third party, with results available to the public. Union City also publishes financial reports and maintains a transparency portal. These safeguards do not earmark the money, but they create mechanisms for residents to review collections and expenditures. [source]
  • Renewal preserves a major local revenue stream The official analysis estimates that Measure II would provide approximately $7 million annually for Union City services while keeping the funds local. Because the measure maintains the current rate rather than increasing it, approval would avoid the immediate loss of an existing revenue source when the current authorization expires. Evidence 1 supports the amount and continuation, while Evidence 3 supports the… [source]
  • The revenue can support high-priority services The ballot materials identify emergency response, paramedics, fire protection, policing, street repair, crime prevention, and youth and senior programs as potential uses. These services are difficult to fund solely through voluntary payments and are broadly shared by residents, so preserving flexible general-fund revenue can help the city respond to changing needs. The evidence establishes permitted uses, not a… [source]

Arguments against

  • The tax may burden utility users unevenly A UUT is collected through utility bills and therefore applies to consumption rather than directly to ability to pay. Tax-distribution research and California electricity-cost analysis indicate that utility-related charges can place a heavier relative burden on lower-income households. Measure II’s exemptions mitigate this concern, but the available evidence does not show how many households qualify or how much… [source] [source]
  • The public record does not establish that renewal is necessary Union City provides budget and financial-reporting tools, but the searched sources did not identify a quantified deficit, service-cut estimate, or independent analysis showing what would happen to each service if the tax were not renewed. Thus, the $7 million estimate establishes available revenue, not that no alternative savings or revenue source could replace it. [source] [source]

See all 8 sources

Dates, deadlines, polling places and eligibility: see the California Secretary of State.