California ballot measure · November 3, 2026

California Proposition 43, explained

Two-thirds vote for voter-proposed local special taxes. A ballot measure is a yes-or-no question put directly to voters — no candidate is involved, and the wording on the ballot is the wording that becomes law. This page shows that wording first, then what it actually changes.

The official wording

LIMITS VOTERS' ABILITY TO RAISE REVENUES FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES. LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. Limits voters' ability to pass voter-proposed local special taxes by increasing percentage of votes needed to approve such ballot measures from a majority (over 50%) to two-thirds, beginning January 1, 2027. Fiscal Impact: Possibility that local government tax revenues will not go up as much in the future due to a higher vote threshold for certain taxes.

This is what appears on the ballot. Everything below explains it.

What it actually means

Local taxes dedicated to a specific purpose (special taxes) need two-thirds voter approval when a city council or other local board puts them on the ballot, but recent court decisions let special taxes placed on the ballot by citizen petition pass with a simple majority. This constitutional amendment requires two-thirds for those too, starting in 2027.

If you vote YES

Beginning January 1, 2027, any new, increased or extended local special tax would need two-thirds voter approval, including those proposed by citizen initiative.
The measure's text also bars local governments, including voters acting by initiative, from imposing ad valorem taxes on real property except as already allowed in the constitution.
Local tax revenue could be lower in future than it otherwise would be; the amount depends on future local decisions and elections.

If you vote NO

Special taxes placed on the ballot by local governing boards would still need two-thirds approval.
Special taxes placed on the ballot by citizen petition could continue to pass with a simple majority, as courts have allowed.

The numbers that matter

Fiscal effect: Possibility of lower future local tax revenue; amount unknown
Takes effect: January 1, 2027

Why supporters say YES

Court decisions created a loophole in Proposition 13 that lets earmarked local taxes pass with fewer votes; local governments have imposed more than 2,000 new or higher taxes in a decade, including real estate transfer taxes as high as 6%.
— Official argument in favor, signed by the California Taxpayers Association, the Family Business Association of California and the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce
The Legislature's nearly unanimous vote to place the measure on the ballot shows courts went beyond what voters intended; restoring two-thirds protects homeowners, renters and small businesses.
— Official rebuttal, signed by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, the California Small Business Association and California Consumer Advocates for Affordability and Safety

Why opponents say NO

The measure does not cut anyone's taxes; it lets 33.4% of voters block what nearly 67% want, making it harder for communities to fund fire and 911 response, roads, schools and local health care.
— Official argument against, signed by the California Professional Firefighters, the Nurse Alliance of SEIU California and the California School Employees Association
A higher threshold would let a minority block locally approved funding for affordable housing and services for renters, seniors and veterans.
— Official rebuttal to the argument in favor, signed by Californians Against Waste, the Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California and the Sierra Business Council

What’s genuinely uncertain

The full text includes a second provision barring local ad valorem taxes on real property except as the constitution already allows. Neither the Attorney General's summary nor the Legislative Analyst's analysis describes its practical effect.
The Legislature placed the measure on the ballot by votes of 35–1 in the Senate and 68–2 in the Assembly, while several unions and housing groups oppose it.
The size of any revenue effect depends on how many citizen-proposed special taxes would have passed with between 50% and two-thirds of the vote.

The bottom line

A higher bar and more broad agreement before local special taxes are raised, against letting just over a third of voters block taxes a majority supports.

One neutral sentence describing the tradeoff — not a recommendation.

Sources:vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov ballotpedia.org

Checking it against the official text

The California Secretary of State publishes the certified measures and, in most states, an official voter guide with fiscal notes. That is the authoritative version. Everything here is an explanation of it, not a substitute for it.

Confirm this with the official source

Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at California Secretary of State.

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