By the GovBuddy team · Last reviewed September 29, 2026
Where we are
Fourteen statewide propositions are on California’s November 3, 2026 general election ballot. Five are legislative measures the Legislature put on the ballot. Nine are citizen initiatives that qualified through signature collection. The Official Voter Information Guide is available online, and statewide mailing of vote-by-mail ballots begins October 5, 2026.
This is a neutral guide. It explains what each proposition does, how it got on the ballot, and where to read the official analysis. It doesn’t tell you how to vote. For the impartial fiscal analysis, the arguments from supporters and opponents, and the full ballot text, the Official Voter Information Guide at voterguide.sos.ca.gov is the authoritative source.
This page refreshes weekly through November 3 and adds certified results afterward.
Quick Answer
California’s November 3, 2026 statewide ballot contains 14 propositions. Five were placed on the ballot by the Legislature: Props 1, 2, 4, 5, and 43. Nine qualified as citizen initiatives through signature collection: Prop 3 and Props 37 through 42, 44, and 45. The propositions cover housing bonds, the state’s rainy day fund, an extension of the 2012 high-income tax, public campaign financing, recall procedures, voter ID, a wealth tax, tax limits, personal property tax limits, environmental review, Federally Qualified Health Center finances, medical research bonds, a middle-income homebuyer loan program, and local government revenue limits. The measures were certified by the Secretary of State earlier this year, and the Official Voter Information Guide is available at voterguide.sos.ca.gov.
Table of contents
- How the November 2026 ballot came together
- The legislative measures (Props 1, 2, 4, 5, and 43)
- The citizen initiatives (Prop 3 and Props 37 through 42, 44, and 45)
- Where to read the official analysis
- How proposition numbers get assigned
- What happens after November 3
How the November 2026 ballot came together
California’s statewide ballot has two paths onto it. The Legislature can place measures on the ballot through constitutional amendments (which require a two-thirds vote in each house) and through statutory referrals. Citizens can place measures on the ballot through the initiative process, which requires qualifying petition signatures within a 180-day circulation window.
The June 25, 2026 qualification deadline was the practical wall for this ballot. Measures had to be qualified by that date to appear on the November ballot, subject to limited exceptions (a veto referendum, for example, can reach a general election if it qualifies at least 31 days beforehand under the California Constitution).
Legislative referrals go through the ordinary bill process before landing on the ballot: they are heard in committees and voted on by both houses. Constitutional amendments require a two-thirds vote of each house; statutory measures follow ordinary bill voting requirements. Citizen initiatives go through a different process: proponents submit petitions to county elections officials, who verify signatures. The Secretary of State determines eligibility once verified signature counts cross the required threshold. An eligible initiative becomes qualified for the ballot on the 131st day before the general election, unless proponents withdraw it.
For more on the qualification deadline itself, see our earlier piece on why the June 25 qualification deadline matters. For related context on the executive-branch side of the process, see our tracker on the California Governor bill-signing deadline.
The legislative measures (Props 1, 2, 4, 5, and 43)
The Legislature placed five measures on the November 2026 ballot: three constitutional amendments and two statutory measures. The proposition numbers assigned to these measures are Props 1, 2, 4, 5, and 43. Prop 3 on this ballot is not a legislative measure; it is a citizen initiative and appears in the initiatives section below.
Prop 1: Authorizes Bonds for Housing Affordability Programs
Prop 1 authorizes state bonds for veterans and affordable housing programs. It was placed on the ballot through SB 417 (Limón), the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026. A statutory ballot measure.
Prop 1’s general obligation bonds would be repaid by the state, with increased state costs for debt service. The Legislative Analyst’s Office impartial analysis in the Official Voter Information Guide estimates state repayment costs of roughly $500 to $600 million annually for about 25 years, and covers the specific bond amount, eligible use categories, and administration.
Prop 2: Increases State’s Rainy Day Fund
Prop 2 is a constitutional amendment that adjusts California’s Budget Stabilization Account (the state’s rainy day fund) rules. It was placed on the ballot through ACA 20 (Gabriel), the Save for California’s Future Act.
Rainy day fund provisions in the California Constitution establish deposit requirements based on state revenue, ordinary use limits, and withdrawal procedures during fiscal emergencies. Prop 2 modifies the specific formula. The LAO analysis in the Voter Information Guide covers the exact structural changes and the projected fiscal effect.
Prop 4: Repeals Prohibition Against Public Funding of Election Campaigns
Prop 4 repeals California’s existing prohibition on public funding of state and local election campaigns. It was placed on the ballot through SB 42 (Umberg), the California Fair Elections Act of 2026. A statutory ballot measure.
If Prop 4 passes, California would join states that have enacted or authorized public campaign financing programs at the state level. Prop 4 does not itself establish a specific public financing program; it removes the existing statutory prohibition that has prevented such programs from operating in California.
Prop 5: Changes Recall Election Process for Statewide Officers
Prop 5 is a constitutional amendment that modifies California’s recall process for state officers. It was placed on the ballot through SCA 1 (Newman).
Under current California recall procedures, a recall election includes both the recall question and a simultaneous election of a successor. Prop 5 would eliminate the simultaneous successor election. If a state officer is recalled, the resulting vacancy would be filled according to the California Constitution and state law. If the Governor is recalled, the Lieutenant Governor would generally become Governor for the remainder of the term.
Prop 43: Limits Voters’ Ability to Raise Revenues for Local Government Services
Prop 43 is a constitutional amendment that limits certain local government revenue-raising authority. It was placed on the ballot through ACA 22 (Wicks).
The measure interacts with existing constitutional provisions on local taxes, fees, and assessments (including provisions from Propositions 13, 218, and 26). The Voter Information Guide analysis covers the specific local government revenue mechanisms affected and the interaction with existing law.
Reach the right offices with GovBuddy Connect
Every proposition has people and organizations involved in developing, sponsoring, analyzing, or advocating around it. Understanding who they are matters for organizations working on implementation, watching for related legislation next session, or briefing internal stakeholders on the measures.
GovBuddy Connect provides human-verified legislative directories for California, New York, and Ohio, covering legislators, staff, and committees. California coverage also includes registered lobbyists. The directories are kept current by the same Sacramento team that has run the California directory since 1973. When you need to reach the office behind a specific measure, Connect is how you find them.
The citizen initiatives (Prop 3 and Props 37 through 42, 44, and 45)
Nine initiatives qualified for the November 2026 ballot. They are Prop 3 and Props 37 through 42, 44, and 45. Proposition 43 is a legislative constitutional amendment and is covered in the legislative measures section above.
Prop 3: Extends Existing Tax on High Incomes
Prop 3 is an initiative constitutional amendment that makes permanent the tax rates on high-income earners originally enacted by Proposition 30 in 2012 and extended by Proposition 55 in 2016. The rates apply above inflation-adjusted income thresholds established by the original measures.
Revenues are allocated 89% to K–12 schools and 11% to community colleges. Increased General Fund availability resulting from the measure can also affect health care and other program funding. The Voter Information Guide analysis covers the current sunset date under existing law, the revenue effect of making the tax permanent, and the school funding allocation formula.
Prop 37: Creates Loan Program for Middle-Income Buyers of Qualified New Homes
Prop 37 authorizes state bonds funding a loan program that offers fixed-rate mortgages to middle-income homebuyers for qualified newly constructed homes priced below approximately $1 to $1.5 million. A statutory initiative.
The Voter Information Guide analysis covers the exact bond authorization amount, the eligible home price range, income-qualification thresholds for participation, repayment structure, and the projected annual cost of loan program administration.
Prop 38: Authorizes Bonds for Immunology Medical Research
Prop 38 authorizes state bonds for immunology and immunotherapy research. A statutory initiative.
The measure follows the general model of California’s prior stem cell research bond measures. The Voter Information Guide analysis details the specific bond authorization, oversight structure, eligible research categories, and repayment obligations.
Prop 39: Requires Voter Identification at the Polls
Prop 39 requires California voters to present government-issued identification when voting at the polls, or to provide the last four digits of a government-issued identification number when voting by mail. The measure also creates voter-ID cards and establishes annual citizenship-verification reporting by elections officials. A constitutional amendment initiative.
The Voter Information Guide analysis covers the specific identification requirements, the accommodations built into the measure, how the requirements would interact with California’s existing vote-by-mail system, and the estimated implementation cost for county elections offices.
Prop 40: Imposes One-Time Tax on Certain Taxpayers
Prop 40 imposes a one-time tax of up to 5% on certain taxpayers with covered assets valued above $1 billion. Both a constitutional amendment and a statute.
Under the measure, covered assets include businesses, securities, art, collectibles, and intellectual property, while real property and certain pensions and retirement accounts are excluded. The Voter Information Guide analysis covers the specific tax rate structure, the asset threshold, how covered assets would be measured, how the tax would be collected, and the projected revenue effect.
Prop 41: Prohibits New State Taxes That Exclude Revenues From State Spending Limit
Prop 41 modifies California’s constitutional state spending limit rules by prohibiting new state taxes that exclude their revenues from the appropriations limit. It also requires pre-election audits of statewide special tax initiatives. A constitutional amendment initiative.
California’s state spending limit (Gann Limit) constrains state appropriations based on prior-year appropriations and population and cost-of-living adjustments. Prop 41 changes the treatment of new taxes under this framework. The Voter Information Guide analysis covers the exact interaction with existing constitutional appropriations limits.
Prop 42: Prohibits New State Personal Property Taxes and Certain Retroactive State Taxes
Prop 42 prohibits new state taxes on personal property ownership and prohibits retroactive state taxes. A constitutional amendment initiative.
California already taxes some personal property today, including certain business property and vehicle-related property. Financial assets such as stocks and investment accounts are generally not taxed simply because they are owned. Prop 42’s constitutional prohibition would apply to new state personal property taxes going forward. The Voter Information Guide analysis covers the exact scope of personal property covered by the prohibition, how the measure interacts with existing personal property taxes, and the definition of retroactive taxes under the measure.
Prop 44: Requires Federally Qualified Health Centers to Spend 90% of Revenue on Program Services
Prop 44 requires nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), described in the Official Voter Information Guide as community clinics serving medically underserved areas and populations, to spend at least 90% of their revenue on program services rather than administrative overhead. A statutory initiative.
The Voter Information Guide analysis covers the specific facilities covered by the measure, how "program services" and "administrative overhead" are defined, enforcement mechanisms, and the estimated compliance impact on affected FQHCs.
Prop 45: Modifies Environmental Review for Certain Projects
Prop 45 creates expedited environmental-review and court-challenge procedures under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for specified projects, including housing, water, health, transportation, education, wildfire mitigation, broadband, and clean-energy projects. A statutory initiative.
CEQA requires environmental review for many discretionary projects in California and provides for court challenges to project approvals. According to the LAO, Prop 45 tightens time limits, changes parts of CEQA review, and changes the court-review process for lawsuits involving the specified project categories. The Voter Information Guide analysis covers the exact projects covered, the review and litigation procedures that would still apply, and the projected effect on project timelines.
Where to read the official analysis
The California Secretary of State publishes the Official Voter Information Guide, which contains the following for each measure:
- The official title and summary, prepared by the Attorney General for citizen initiatives or by the Legislature for legislative referrals.
- An impartial analysis prepared by the Legislative Analyst’s Office, including an assessment of potential taxpayer costs and revenue effects.
- The measure’s full text.
- Arguments submitted by supporters and opponents, and rebuttals.
The 2026 general election Voter Information Guide is published at voterguide.sos.ca.gov and has been mailed to registered voters. The Quick Guide to Propositions at quickguidetoprops.sos.ca.gov is a compact reference version. Both are official Secretary of State publications.
The LAO impartial analysis is the most useful single source for understanding a measure’s fiscal effect. It is prepared under Elections Code Section 9085 and is not written to support or oppose any measure.
How proposition numbers get assigned
The Secretary of State assigns proposition numbers after the June 25 qualification deadline. California proposition numbers continue across election cycles rather than restarting at 1 for each election. For context, the 2024 general election used Props 32 through 36 for its initiative measures. The 2026 ballot therefore uses Prop 37 and higher for the initiatives that follow the prior numbering sequence.
Once assigned, proposition numbers stay attached to the measure through the campaign, the election, and the certified results. Chapter numbers assigned to signed bills follow a separate sequence within the Statutes of California and are not the same as proposition numbers.
What happens after November 3
Election night results are unofficial until the Secretary of State certifies the results after all county canvasses are complete. The certification deadline for the November 2026 general election is set by the Elections Code. Certified statewide results are typically available in December.
A measure’s effective date depends on its text. Many voter-approved measures take effect the day after the election unless the measure specifies another date. Constitutional amendments become part of the California Constitution once effective. Statutory initiatives become law with the same force as legislatively enacted statutes, though initiatives are constitutionally protected from Legislature-only amendment or repeal in most cases.
If two or more measures cover the same subject and both pass, the California Constitution provides that the measure receiving more votes generally prevails on the conflicting provisions. The exact application depends on the measures’ subject overlap and the courts.
Propositions 40 and 42 specifically address potentially overlapping tax issues. The Official Voter Information Guide notes that if Proposition 42 receives more affirmative votes than Proposition 40 and the measures are found to conflict, Proposition 40 could be prevented from taking effect.
For post-election analysis of what passed, what failed, and what changes next, watch for GovBuddy’s certified results coverage after November 3.
Frequently asked questions
How many propositions are on the California ballot in November 2026?
Fourteen. Five are legislative measures placed on the ballot by the Legislature: Props 1, 2, 4, 5, and 43. Nine are citizen initiatives that qualified through signature collection: Prop 3 and Props 37 through 42, 44, and 45.
When is election day?
Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Statewide mailing of vote-by-mail ballots begins October 5, 2026.
Where can I read the official analysis of each measure?
The Official Voter Information Guide at voterguide.sos.ca.gov contains the official title and summary, the Legislative Analyst’s Office impartial analysis, the full text of each measure, and arguments from supporters and opponents. The Quick Guide to Propositions at quickguidetoprops.sos.ca.gov is a compact reference.
Why do the citizen initiatives start at Prop 37?
California proposition numbers continue across election cycles rather than restarting at 1 for each election. The 2024 general election used Props 32 through 36. The initiatives on the 2026 ballot picked up from that prior sequence.
When does a measure that passes take effect?
Generally the day after the election, unless the measure specifies a different effective date. Certified results are typically available in December after all county canvasses are complete.
If two propositions cover the same subject and both pass, what happens?
The California Constitution provides that the measure receiving more votes generally prevails on conflicting provisions. The exact application depends on the measures’ subject overlap and, in some cases, court interpretation.
Can the Legislature change a passed initiative?
Statutory initiatives are constitutionally protected from Legislature-only amendment or repeal in most cases. An initiative can specify a mechanism for legislative amendment, or the Legislature can propose a subsequent ballot measure to modify or repeal an initiative. Constitutional amendment initiatives require another constitutional amendment for changes.
How do I check if my vote-by-mail ballot has been received?
The Secretary of State’s Where’s My Ballot tracker allows registered voters to check the status of their vote-by-mail ballot at wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov.
Sources
- California Secretary of State Certifies Measures for the November 3, 2026 General Election Ballot, Office of the California Secretary of State
- Official Voter Information Guide, California Secretary of State
- Quick Guide to Propositions, California Secretary of State
- Qualified Statewide Ballot Measures, California Secretary of State
- California Constitution, Article II, Sections 8 through 12 (initiative, referendum, and recall procedures)
- California Elections Code Section 9085 (Legislative Analyst impartial analysis)