Explainers

California 2026 ballot, explained

One article per proposition — what it does, provision by provision, arguments from both sides, who's funding each side, and sources. Plus short guides on voting itself.

The propositions

Prop 1: Authorizes Bonds for Housing Affordability Programs.

Authorizes $11.25 billion in bonds to fund income-qualified housing programs ($10 billion for state housing programs, $1.25 billion for the…

Prop 2: Increases State's Rainy Day Fund.

Amends the constitution to increase the Budget Stabilization Account (the state's rainy day fund) cap from 10% to 20% of estimated general…

Prop 3: Provides Permanent Funding for Schools and Health Care by Extending Existing Tax on High Incomes.

Makes permanent the existing voter-approved tax rates on high-income Californians (currently set to expire in 2031), dedicating the revenue…

Prop 4: Repeals Prohibition Against Public Funding of Election Campaigns.

Repeals the 1988 (Proposition 73) ban on public financing of campaigns and allows the state and local governments to create programs provid…

Prop 5: Changes Recall Election Process for Statewide Officers.

Eliminates the simultaneous election of a successor when a state officer is recalled, leaving the office vacant until it is filled accordin…

Prop 37: Creates Loan Program for Middle-Income Buyers of Qualified New Homes.

Establishes a second-mortgage homebuyer program administered by the California Housing Finance Agency for qualified homebuyers on qualifyin…

Prop 38: Authorizes Bonds for Immunology Medical Research.

Authorizes $8.4 billion in state general obligation bonds for immunology and immunotherapy research (technologies that use the body's immun…

Prop 39: Prohibits Citizens from Voting Unless They Present Government-Issued Identification.

Amends the constitution to require voters to present a government-issued ID to vote in person (or ID digits when voting by mail), and requi…

Prop 40: Imposes One-Time Tax on Certain Taxpayers.

Levies a one-time 5% tax on the accumulated wealth of taxpayers and trusts with covered assets valued over $1 billion to fund state health…

Prop 41: Prohibits New State Taxes That Exclude Revenues from State Spending Limit. Requires Audits for New State Special Taxes.

Prohibits new state taxes that are excluded from the voter-approved state spending limit, and requires audits of programs funded by new sta…

Prop 42: Prohibits New State Personal Property Taxes and Certain Retroactive State Taxes.

Prohibits new state taxes on the ownership of personal property (everything people own other than real estate) and prohibits taxes that app…

Prop 43: Limits Voters' Ability to Raise Revenues for Local Government Services.

Requires a two-thirds voter approval for citizen-initiated local special taxes beginning January 1, 2027, and prohibits local governments f…

Prop 44: Requires Community Health Clinics Spend 90% Of Revenue on Program Services.

Requires nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Centers (community clinics serving medically underserved areas) to spend at least 90% of reve…

Prop 45: Modifies Environmental Review for Certain Projects.

Amends the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to expedite environmental review of specified essential project categories, includin…