The November General Election on Tuesday, November 3 includes eight state-wide offices.
Governor
· Xavier Becerra (D): Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and former California Attorney General
· Steve Hilton (R): Political commentator and former policy advisor
Lieutenant Governor
· Fiona Ma (D): Current California State Treasurer
· Gloria J. Romero (R): Former Democratic California State Senator running as a Republican
Secretary of State
· Shirley Weber (D): Incumbent Secretary of State
· Donald P. Wagner (R): Orange County Supervisor
Attorney General
· Rob Bonta (D): Incumbent Attorney General
· Michael Gates (R): Huntington Beach City Attorney
State Controller
· Malia Cohen (D): Incumbent State Controller
· Herb W. Morgan (R): Chief Investment Officer and businessman
State Treasurer
· Eleni Kounalakis (D): Current Lieutenant Governor of California
· Jennifer Hawks (R): Retired businesswoman
Insurance Commissioner
· Ben Allen (D): California State Senator
· Jane Kim (D): Former San Francisco Supervisor
Superintendent of Public Instruction (Nonpartisan)
· Richard Barrera: San Diego Unified School District Board Member
· Sonja Shaw: Chino Valley Unified School District Board President
State-Wide Ballot Measures
The top issues driving both candidate debates and ballot measures in California's November 2026 statewide election center on economic affordability, public finance, and governance.
1. Housing Affordability, Insurance, and Homelessness
· The Debate: High mortgage rates, rising rents, and the collapse of the private wildfire home insurance market have made housing the central issue of the 2026 gubernatorial race. Candidates across both parties are debating how to spur development, lower construction costs, enforce tenant protections, and reduce visible homelessness.
· On the Ballot: Voters will decide on Proposition 1, an $11.25 billion bond proposal aimed at building and preserving affordable housing and assisting military veterans with home purchases. Another major measure, Proposition 37, seeks to establish a $25 billion mortgage loan program for middle-income homebuyers.Additionally, Proposition 45 addresses development pace by streamlining the environmental review process under CEQA for housing, transit, and clean energy projects.
2. State Tax Policy and Wealth Redistribution
· The Debate: California faces budget balancing challenges, prompting fierce debate over tax policy between those seeking targeted revenue from high earners and those advocating for tax cuts or spending caps.
· On the Ballot: Headlining the ballot is Proposition 40, a high-stakes proposal to impose a one-time 5% wealth tax on California billionaires to fund healthcare, education, and food assistance programs. This has drawn competing defensive measures like Proposition 42 (which prohibits new personal property taxes) and Proposition 41 (which mandates audits and applies new tax revenue strictly to state spending limits). Voters will also weigh Proposition 3, which permanently extends the state's high-earner income tax for education funding.
3. Voting Integrity and Election Governance
· The Debate: Campaign finance reform and voting access policies are key friction points, with civil rights groups and political coalitions actively campaigning on statewide electoral rules.
· On the Ballot: Proposition 39 would institute a mandatory government-issued photo ID requirement for voters in California elections. On campaign logistics, Proposition 4 (the California Fair Elections Act) seeks to lift the decades-long ban on public campaign financing to amplify small-dollar donations. Voters will also decide on Proposition 5, a constitutional amendment to reform how successor officials are chosen during statewide recall elections.
For detailed information on candidates, official ballot arguments, voter registration status, and local polling policies, visit the California Secretary of State Official Elections Division Portal or consult local county registrar resources.
Overview of Qualified Statewide Measures
Below is a breakdown of the propositions appearing on the ballot, categorized by policy topic:
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
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
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
While there are 14 statewide propositions on the California ballot, a few specific high-stakes measures are dominating media coverage, political spending, and campaign debates.
1. The "Billionaire Tax" Fight (Propositions 40, 41, and 42)
· The Conflict: Proposition 40 proposes a one-time 5% wealth tax on the accumulated assets of California residents worth over $1 billion. It aims to generate tens of billions of dollars primarily for healthcare, education, and food assistance programs.
· Why It’s Getting Attention: It has sparked massive national coverage and record-breaking campaign spending. Tech executives, business groups, and opponents have poured tens of millions into opposing it and funding defensive counter-measures—specifically Proposition 41 (which mandates audits and applies new tax revenues strictly to state spending limits) and Proposition 42 (which bans personal property and wealth taxes).
2. Voter Identification Rules (Proposition 39)
· The Conflict: Proposition 39 would amend the California Constitution to require government-issued photo ID for in-person voting and ID verification (such as the last four digits of an ID) for mail-in ballots.
· Why It’s Getting Attention: Polling shows a sharp partisan divide. Conservative coalitions and voting integrity advocates strongly favor the requirement, while civil rights groups and Democratic leaders argue it restricts voter access and creates unnecessary barriers.
3. Housing and Infrastructure Development (Propositions 1, 37, and 45)
· The Conflict: Housing affordability and real estate development remain top political priorities across the state.
o Proposition 1 authorizes $11.25 billion in state general obligation bonds for affordable housing construction and veteran home loans.
o Proposition 37 proposes a $25 billion bond program to provide state-backed second mortgages for middle-income homebuyers.
o Proposition 45 seeks to speed up housing, water, and clean energy construction by creating strict timelines and streamlining environmental reviews under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
· Why It’s Getting Attention: Environmental organizations, labor unions, real estate developers, and housing advocates are locked in intense debates over whether these bond measures are financially prudent and whether streamlining CEQA undermines crucial environmental protections.
To review full initiative texts, voter guides, and statewide measure details directly, check the California Secretary of State Qualified Statewide Ballot Measures Portal or consult your local county registrar's office via the California Secretary of State Elections Division.