14 State-Wide Ballot Measures

  November’s General Election includes 14 statewide measures on taxes and state budget, housing and infrastructure, voting and elections, and healthcare and research. An overview of the statewide measures categorized by policy topic is below along with other sources for additional bipartisan information.

Taxes and State Budget

• Proposition 2: A legislative constitutional amendment to increase the maximum cap on the state's Budget Stabilization Account (Rainy Day Fund)  

• Proposition 3: A citizen initiative to make permanent the existing higher income-tax rates on top earners to fund public schools and healthcare   

• Proposition 40: An initiative proposing a one-time 5% wealth tax on assets over $1 billion to fund healthcare, food assistance, and public education ***Note: There is a detailed article in this newsletter on Propositions 40, 41, and 42. ***  

• Proposition 41: An initiative requiring pre-election audits for new special taxes and prohibiting new taxes from being excluded from state spending limits   

• Proposition 42: An initiative prohibiting new state personal property taxes and certain retroactive taxes   

• Proposition 43: A constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds supermajority vote for citizen-led local special tax initiatives and prohibiting charter city real estate transfer taxes  

Housing and Infrastructure

• Proposition 1: A legislative bond measure authorizing $11.25 billion in general obligation bonds for affordable housing and veteran home loans  

• Proposition 37: An initiative authorizing $25 billion in bonds to establish a state-backed second mortgage loan program for middle-income homebuyers  

• Proposition 45: An initiative streamlining state environmental reviews (CEQA) and permitting timelines for essential projects, including housing, water, and clean energy   

Voting, Elections, and Governance

• Proposition 4: A legislative measure repealing California's ban on public funding for political campaigns, allowing local and state public financing systems   

• Proposition 5: A legislative constitutional amendment to eliminate the successor candidate election during statewide recall elections   

• Proposition 39: A citizen initiative amending the California Constitution to require government-issued ID for in-person voting and ID verification for mail-in ballots. ***Note: There is a detailed article in this newsletter on Proposition 39. ***

Healthcare and Research

• Proposition 38: An initiative authorizing $8.4 billion in general obligation bonds to support immunology research for conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer's   

• Proposition 44: An initiative requiring federally qualified community health centers to spend at least 90% of revenue directly on patient care services   

Sources for additional nonpartisan information:

·       League of Women Voters of California (LWVC): Publishes nonpartisan "Pros & Cons" guides and in-depth policy analyses for statewide propositions

·       California Choices: Compiled by nonpartisan academic centers and civic tech groups, side-by-side proposition summaries, endorsements from major political organizations, and candidate viewpoints   

·       CalMatters: A nonpartisan, nonprofit journalism organization focused on California public policy. Their annual election guides break down proposition mechanics, financial backers, campaign contributions, and direct impacts

·       Ballotpedia: Provides breakdowns of ballot language, supporting and opposing arguments, list of top campaign donors, legislative history, and polling data   

·       Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO): California's nonpartisan fiscal and policy research agency.The LAO provides impartial financial analyses and summaries of expected fiscal impacts for every statewide measure

·       Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC): Conducts independent statewide polling and policy research on public opinion regarding ballot measures and key fiscal issues in California

·       California Secretary of State Elections Division: Publishes the official Voter Information Guide, which includes official titles, summary labels, direct arguments submitted by proponents/opponents, and legal text

  By Debra Shrout