3Permanent tax on higher incomes
Proposition 3 · Income tax
Our voteNo
Makes the income tax rates first approved as temporary in 2012 permanent, removing the scheduled end date after 2031.
Statewide ballot · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Fourteen statewide measures are on the November ballot. Here is how The American Council is voting on each one, with a plain summary of what it would do. Five yes, nine no.
How to use this guide
Start with the scorecard below and take it with you to vote. Every proposition then gets its own card, grouped by subject, with our position and a short summary of what a yes vote would put into law.
Local races too
Statewide propositions appear on every California ballot. For candidates and local measures in Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, Auburn and the rest of the county, see our Placer County Voter Guide.
Scorecard
In ballot order. Tap any proposition to read the summary.
Taxes
Four measures decide how much the state can take, and from whom.
Proposition 3 · Income tax
Makes the income tax rates first approved as temporary in 2012 permanent, removing the scheduled end date after 2031.
Proposition 40 · Wealth tax
Imposes a one-time tax of up to 5 percent on total assets, reaching businesses and other holdings rather than income.
Proposition 42 · Taxpayer protection
Prohibits the state from taxing savings, investments and retirement accounts as wealth, and bars taxes applied retroactively.
Proposition 43 · Local taxes
Restores the two-thirds voter threshold for special taxes placed on the ballot by citizen initiative.
Spending and debt
Bonds are repaid with interest from the same General Fund that pays for schools and public safety.
Proposition 2 · Budget reserve
Doubles the cap on the state's budget reserve to 20 percent, and in doing so weakens the constitutional limit on state spending.
Proposition 38 · $8.4 billion bond
Borrows $8.4 billion for immunology research, repaid at about $500 million a year for 25 years.
Proposition 41 · Accountability
Requires audits of new special taxes and keeps the money they raise counted under the state spending limit.
Proposition 44 · Health clinics
Imposes a mandate that community health clinics spend 90 percent of their revenue in prescribed ways.
Housing and growth
Two measures borrow billions in the name of housing. One lowers the cost of building it.
Proposition 1 · $11.25 billion bond
Borrows $11.25 billion for housing and veterans programs, repaid with interest from the General Fund.
Proposition 37 · Up to $25 billion in bonds
Authorizes up to $25 billion in bonds so the state can offer second mortgages to middle income homebuyers.
Proposition 45 · Environmental review
Speeds up review under the California Environmental Quality Act to cut the time and cost of building housing and infrastructure.
Elections
Three measures change who votes, how campaigns are paid for, and how recalls work.
Proposition 4 · Campaign finance
Allows state and local governments to fund political campaigns with tax dollars.
Proposition 5 · Recall process
Requires a separate, later election to choose a replacement after an official is recalled, instead of deciding both on the same ballot.
Proposition 39 · Election integrity
Requires voters to show identification to vote and requires reporting on how many registered voters have verified citizenship.
