There will be 14 ballot initiatives on the November 3 statewide ballot

By Chris Micheli and Vincent Micheli

California voters will have to decide the fate of 14 measures on the November 3 statewide ballot. Nine of them were placed on the ballot by voters, while five were placed on the ballot by the Legislature. What do these fourteen measures do?

Below is a brief description and the proposition numbers that have been assigned to the ballot measures by the Legislature (Props. 1– 5) and the Secretary of State (Props. 37 – 45) that are on the November 3, 2026, General Election.

Prop 1 The Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026

The Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026 (Senate Bill 417) is an $11.25 billion bond measure on the November 3, 2026 California general election ballot. It features $10 billion in general obligation bonds for affordable housing (these GO bonds rely on taxpayer dollars to pay back debt with interest) and $1.25 billion in revenue bonds for veteran home loans (these are self-supporting revenue bonds repaid exclusively through mortgage payments rather than the state’s general fund.). This measure was placed on the ballot by the Legislature.

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Prop 2 Save for California’s Future Act

The Save for California’s Future Act aims to strengthen the state’s fiscal stability by increasing the constitutional cap on the state’s “rainy day” fund (the Budget Stabilization Account) from 10% to 20%. It mandates greater set-asides for state savings accounts during high-revenue years (especially during capital gains tax surges); excludes deposits into the Rainy Day Fund from the Gann Limit; and, extends the requirement that state funds be dedicated to paying down various state liabilities, including federal Unemployment Insurance loans and obligations to public schools. This measure was placed on the ballot by the Legislature.

Prop 3 Provides Permanent Funding for Schools and Healthcare by Extending Existing Tax on High Incomes. Initiative Constitutional Amendment

The initiative would make permanent the higher marginal income tax rates on income above $361,000 for single filers and $721,000 for joint filers. The initial tax rate in 2012 applied to incomes above $250,000 for single filers and $500,000 for joint filers. Prop. 3 would increase the threshold and tie it to inflation. This measure was placed on the ballot by voters.

Prop 4 Political Reform Act of 1974: public campaign financing: California Fair Elections Act of 2026

The initiative would repeal the ban on public funding of campaigns, which has been in effect since the enactment of Prop. 73 in 1988, thereby allowing the state or local governments to establish programs for the public funding of election campaigns. Current state law only allows charter cities to provide public financing for campaigns, and prohibits the state, counties, districts, and general law cities from adopting these programs. This measure was placed on the ballot by the Legislature.

Prop 5 Elections: recall of state officers

The initiative would change the recall process for state officers (and not local officials) by eliminating the election to pick a successor at the time of the recall election and providing that any vacancies due to a successful recall be filled according to the state constitution and state statute. It would also allow the recalled officer to run again for the same office at the special election, if one is held, but the measure would prohibit the recalled officer from being appointed to fill the vacancy. This measure was placed on the ballot by the Legislature.

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

The California Middle-Class Homeownership and Family Home Construction Act is a proposed $25 billion state bond initiative. It authorizes the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) to issue revenue bonds for fixed-rate second mortgages covering up to 17% of the purchase price for qualified new homes. It has rules for home qualifications, buyer qualifications, and financial requirement. The bonds are to be repaid by the borrowers’ mortgage payments, rather than the state general fund. This measure was placed on the ballot by voters.

Prop 38 Authorizes Bonds for Immunology Research. Initiative Statute

The initiative would issue $8.4 billion in general obligation bonds to fund immunology and immunotherapy research. The initiative would require at least $4.2 billion in bond revenue to be used for research related to cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. The initiative would also authorize the state to enter into an agreement with a nonprofit institute dedicated to researching immunology and immunotherapy. This measure was placed on the ballot by voters.

Prop 39 Establishes Additional Voter Identification and Citizenship Verification Requirements. Initiative Constitutional Amendment

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