California ballots are typically packed with an array of ballot measures that will confound and confuse voters.
The ballot in November 2026 is no exception. In addition to the full slate of candidates for statewide office from Governor and Legislature, to U.S. Senate and Congress, as well as local officials, the Nov. 3 ballot has 14 statewide propositions.
Those statewide ballot measures include five different taxation propositions as well as several administrative changes to state and local government, including a measure requiring voter identification.
For voters seeking to make sense of this confusing array, relief is on the way.
The League of Women Voters of Tulare County will conduct an information presentation, “The Nov 3 Ballot Propositions – Pros and Cons,” at 6:30 p.m. on October 6 at the Tulare County Office of Education building, 6200 South Mooney Boulevard in Visalia.
“Come find out about what the propositions are, what their fiscal impact might be, and what supporters and detractors are saying about each,” said the League of Women Voters of Tulare County.
Presenters will be from the League of Women Voters, who will use the information from their non-partisan voter guide, 411, and Ballotpedia, to present their information.
Among the propositions:
- A measure that would authorize $11.4 billion in bonds for affordable housing for veterans, younger buyers and low-income buyers.
- A measure that would repeal the prohibition against public funding of election campaigns.
- A proposition that would create a loan program for middle income buyers of new homes.
- A measure that would authorize $8 and funding for research into immunotherapy.m
- The so-called “Billionaires tax,” a one-time 5 percent tax on those whose net worth is more than $1 billion.
- Two other measures that would eliminate the billionaires tax.
- A proposed constitutional amendment that would require a two-thirds majority for local governments to raise taxes.
- A measure that would require community health clinics to spend at least 90% of their revenue on services for patients.
One of the most controversial ballot measures would require voters to present government-issued identification when casting ballots and require election officials to use government data to confirm voter citizenship and report verification rates.
As usual, this list of propositions contains some tricky provisions. For instance, Proposition 40 would enact the one-time 5 percent tax on billionaires. Propositions 41 and 42 would cancel proposition 40 with their own provisions.
The presenters at “The ballot propositions, pros and cons” will explain those provisions to help voters understand how they can cast a vote that does what they intend. They will also explain two other local provisions that are on the November 3 ballot.
Voters will have received their sample ballots by October 6. They can bring those ballots with them to this program and mark how they intend to vote that evening.
Be sure to attend this informative evening to be fully prepared to cast your ballot on November 3.
The forum will be live streamed by the Valley Voice on their Facebook page.