2026 Elections Breakdown
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and California voters have a packed ballot this year.
We will be choosing California's next governor and other statewide officials, deciding on 14 statewide propositions, electing representatives to Congress and the California Legislature, and weighing in on local races and ballot measures.
For Los Angeles County voters, the ballot also includes the race for L.A. County Sheriff, Superior Court judges and two countywide measures. Residents of the City of Los Angeles have additional decisions to make, including races for mayor and city attorney and several city ballot measures.
Exactly what appears on your ballot depends on where you live, so be sure to check your official sample ballot before voting.
Important Dates
October 5: California counties begin mailing vote-by-mail ballots to registered voters. Early voting also begins.
October 19: Last day to register to vote using the regular registration process.
October 20–November 3: Eligible Californians who miss the registration deadline can use conditional voter registration, also known as same-day voter registration.
October 24: Select Vote Centers begin opening in Los Angeles County.
October 31: All Los Angeles County Vote Centers open.
November 3: Election Day. Polls and Vote Centers are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
November 10: Final day for county election officials to receive vote-by-mail ballots that were postmarked on or before Election Day.
Statewide Elections
California voters will elect officials to several statewide offices in November, including a new governor.
Governor
California's governor serves as the state's chief executive, overseeing most state departments and agencies, proposing the state budget, signing or vetoing legislation, and directing state resources during emergencies. With Gov. Gavin Newsom completing his second term, California voters will choose between two candidates who advanced from the June primary.
Xavier Becerra- Democratic Party
Becerra represented Los Angeles in Congress for more than two decades before becoming California's attorney general in 2017. He later served as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden, overseeing federal health programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Steve Hilton- Republican Party
Hilton previously served as a senior adviser to former conservative British Prime Minister David Cameron before moving to California. He later co-founded a political crowdfunding platform and hosted a weekly program on Fox News.
Other Statewide Offices
California voters will also be electing our:
California voters will also vote on the California Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal justices who have been nominated/appointed by the governor.
California Propositions
There are 14 statewide propositions on California's November ballot. These measures address issues including housing affordability, education, health care, taxes, voting requirements and government operations. Here's a breakdown of what each proposition would do.
Proposition 1: Housing Bond- Authorize $11.25 billion in bonds for affordable housing programs.
Proposition 1 would allow California to borrow $11.25 billion to support affordable housing programs. Of that amount, $1.25 billion would be dedicated to housing for veterans. Other funding would support programs including affordable rental housing, homeownership assistance, farmworker housing, student housing and tribal housing. The bond is expected to help finance tens of thousands of affordable rental units and assist households with purchasing homes.
Proposition 2: Rainy Day Fund- Increase the amount California can hold in its budget reserves.
Proposition 2 would increase the maximum amount California can deposit into its Budget Stabilization Account, commonly called the “rainy day fund,” from 10% to 20% of General Fund tax revenue. The measure would also make changes related to California’s constitutional spending limit and allow certain revenue to be used toward the state’s federal unemployment insurance debt.
Proposition 3: High-Income Tax- Make an existing tax on high-income Californians permanent to support education and health care.
California voters first approved the tax in 2012, and the current rates are scheduled to expire in 2031. Proposition 3 would make those tax rates permanent. Revenue from the tax is allocated primarily to K-12 public schools, with additional funding for community colleges. The measure would maintain an estimated $5 billion to $15 billion annually in state revenue.
Proposition 4: Public Campaign Financing- Allow state and local governments to establish public financing systems for political campaigns.
California currently has restrictions on the use of public funds for political campaigns. Proposition 4 would repeal that prohibition and allow state and local governments to establish public campaign-financing programs if they choose to do so.
Proposition 5: Recall Reform- Change how California replaces statewide officials who are recalled.
Currently, California voters participating in a recall election can vote on whether an official should be removed and who should replace that person. Proposition 5 would separate those decisions. If a statewide official were recalled, a separate election would be held to choose a permanent replacement. In the case of a recalled governor, the lieutenant governor would temporarily perform the governor’s duties until the replacement election.
Proposition 37: Homebuyer Loan Program- Create a loan program for middle-income buyers purchasing qualifying newly constructed homes.
Proposition 37 would authorize up to $25 billion in bonds to support mortgages for eligible California homebuyers. The program could provide financing for up to 17% of the purchase price of a qualifying new home. Eligible buyers would generally need to earn no more than 200% of their area’s median income, live in California and occupy the property as their primary residence. Homeowner mortgage payments, rather than the state General Fund, would repay the bonds.
Proposition 38: Immunology Research Bond- Authorize $8.4 billion in bonds for medical and immunology research.
Proposition 38 would provide funding for research into diseases including cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease, particularly research involving immunotherapies. Funding would be distributed among qualifying research institutions, universities and nonprofit organizations.
Proposition 39: Voter Identification- Require voters to present government-issued identification.
Proposition 39 would amend the California Constitution to require voters to present government-issued identification when voting in person. People voting by mail would be required to provide identifying information, such as the last four digits of a government-issued identification number. The measure would also require election officials to verify that registered voters are U.S. citizens.
Proposition 40: Billionaire Tax - Impose a one-time tax on Californians with net worth exceeding $1 billion.
Proposition 40 would impose a one-time 5% tax on qualifying billionaires. Revenue would primarily support health care programs, with some funding going toward food assistance and education. Propositions 40, 41 and 42 contain provisions that interact with one another. Depending on which measures pass and receive the most votes, Proposition 40 could be nullified.
Proposition 41: Tax Audits and State Spending- Require additional review of certain new state taxes and change how revenue counts toward the state spending limit.
Proposition 41 would require the state auditor to evaluate certain proposed special taxes before they go before voters. It would also change how revenue from newly approved special taxes is treated under California’s constitutional spending limit. If Proposition 41 receives more votes than Proposition 40, it could prevent Proposition 40’s billionaire tax from taking effect.
Proposition 42: Personal Property Tax- Restrict California from creating new taxes based solely on ownership of certain personal property and assets.
Proposition 42 would prohibit certain new state taxes on ownership of assets such as investment accounts, business interests and other personal property. Like Proposition 41, Proposition 42 could prevent Proposition 40 from taking effect if both pass and Proposition 42 receives more votes.
Proposition 43: Local Special Taxes- Raise the vote threshold for certain local special tax measures.
Proposition 43 would require local special taxes placed on the ballot through citizen initiatives to receive two-thirds voter approval. Currently, these citizen-initiated measures can pass with a simple majority.
Proposition 44: Community Health Clinics- Require certain community health clinics to spend at least 90% of their revenue on program services.
Proposition 44 would establish spending requirements for qualifying community clinics serving low-income patients. The California Attorney General would issue guidance defining which expenses qualify, and clinics that fail to meet the requirement could face penalties.
Proposition 45: Environmental Review- Change environmental review requirements for certain housing and infrastructure projects.
Proposition 45 would make changes to the California Environmental Quality Act, commonly known as CEQA. Certain projects designated as essential — including qualifying housing, transportation, schools, broadband, wildfire mitigation and other infrastructure projects — would be subject to expedited environmental review timelines. The measure would also establish deadlines for courts considering lawsuits involving environmental reviews of qualifying projects.
U.S. Congress
All 52 of California's seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for election in 2026 because members of the House serve two-year terms. California will be using new congressional district boundaries for the 2026 election because we passed Proposition 50, which temporarily changed the state's congressional district maps. Because congressional candidates depend on where you live, voters should check their official ballot to identify their congressional district and candidates.
California Legislature
All 80 seats in the California State Assembly are up for election in 2026, along with 20 of the 40 seats in the California State Senate. Your candidates depend on your legislative districts. Learn more about the candidates running for State Senate and State Assembly.
Los Angeles County Elections
Los Angeles County voters will make several countywide decisions this November, including choosing a sheriff, electing four Superior Court judges and voting on two amendments to the Los Angeles County Charter.
LA County Sheriff
The Los Angeles County Sheriff oversees the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, which provides law enforcement services in unincorporated areas and cities that contract with the department. The department also operates the county jail system and provides security for county courts. There are two candidates running, Robert Luna, our current LA County Sheriff and Alex Villanueva, our former LA County Sheriff.
Luna was elected sheriff in 2022 after previously serving as chief of the Long Beach Police Department. Villanueva served as Los Angeles County Sheriff from 2018 to 2022. Before becoming sheriff, he spent more than 30 years with the Sheriff’s Department. Luna defeated Villanueva in the 2022 election. The two advanced from the June 2026 primary and will face each other again in November.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judges
Los Angeles County voters will decide four Superior Court races. Superior Court judges oversee criminal and civil trials and cases involving family law, landlord-tenant disputes, probate, small claims and other matters involving state and local law. Find more information about the candidates, their professional backgrounds and qualifications here.
Los Angeles County Ballot Measures
Measure A: Public Safety Employee Disputes
Measure A would amend the Los Angeles County Charter to establish an impartial binding arbitration process for certain labor disputes involving public safety employees. The measure covers certain employees of the Sheriff’s Department, Fire Department and Department of Medical Examiner, as well as district attorney investigators, lifeguards, supervisors and certain civilian employees. The amendment would also prohibit strikes by covered employees and reaffirm existing legal requirements governing labor negotiations.
A YES vote supports establishing the binding arbitration process and related changes to the County Charter.
A NO vote opposes the charter amendment and would leave the current process in place.
Measure E: Ethics Commission
Measure E concerns the structure and operation of Los Angeles County’s Ethics Commission and Office of Ethics Compliance. The amendment would establish provisions governing appointments, qualifications, terms, responsibilities and duties of the Ethics Commission, Office of Ethics Compliance and Ethics Compliance Officer. It also includes language continuing the county’s commitment to community investment and alternatives to incarceration.
A YES vote supports adding these provisions to the Los Angeles County Charter.
A NO vote opposes adding these provisions to the County Charter.
City of Los Angeles Elections
Los Angeles Mayor
Karen Bass, our current mayor and Nithya Raman, our current City Councilmember, received the most votes in the June primary and advanced to the November runoff. Among the major issues in the 2026 mayoral race are homelessness, housing affordability, public safety, city services and Los Angeles’ preparations for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Karen Bass- Incumbent Mayor
Bass was elected mayor in 2022 after previously serving in the U.S. House of Representatives and California State Assembly.
Nithya Raman- Los Angeles City Councilmember, District 4
Raman was first elected to the Los Angeles City Council in 2020 and currently represents District 4, which includes communities stretching from the Hollywood area into the San Fernando Valley.
Los Angeles City Attorney
The City Attorney serves as the chief legal officer for the City of Los Angeles. The office represents the city in legal matters, advises city departments and elected officials, drafts legislation and prosecutes misdemeanor offenses committed within the city.
Marissa Roy- Deputy Attorney General
Roy works in the California Attorney General’s Office and has focused her campaign on issues including consumer protection, workers’ and renters’ rights and the city’s legal response to the federal government.
John McKinney- Deputy District Attorney
McKinney is a Los Angeles County prosecutor and has emphasized public safety and neighborhood protection during his campaign.
City of Los Angeles Ballot Measures
City of Los Angeles voters will decide several local measures and charter amendments.
Charter Amendment PRK: Recreation and Parks Funding
Charter Amendment PRK would increase the minimum amount of General Fund revenue allocated to the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. The increase would be phased in over 10 years until the minimum allocation is approximately double its current level. The amendment would not create a new tax or source of revenue. Instead, a larger portion of existing General Fund revenue would be dedicated to parks and recreation.
Supporters argue that additional funding would help maintain parks, pools, recreation centers, restrooms and other facilities and strengthen the parks workforce. Those who oppose the measure say it does not generate new revenue, and that increased park funding would leave less General Fund money available for other city services.
Charter Amendment LA: Infrastructure, Budget and Public Works
Charter Amendment LA would change how Los Angeles manages public infrastructure projects, budgeting and certain city operations. The measure would require the city to adopt a two-year budget cycle instead of its current annual process and establish a capital infrastructure plan. It would also expand the authority of the Director of Public Works, change certain contracting procedures and allow the city greater flexibility to use city-owned property and participate in business enterprises. Supporters argue that these changes could streamline city operations and improve infrastructure delivery. Critics have raised questions about oversight and the implications of expanding administrative authority.
Measure FD: Los Angeles Fire Department Sales Tax
Measure FD would increase the sales tax in the City of Los Angeles by 0.5 percentage points, from 10.25% to 10.75%. The additional revenue, estimated at approximately $345 million annually, would be dedicated to Los Angeles Fire Department purposes. Funding could be used to hire and retain firefighters and paramedics and purchase and maintain equipment such as fire engines, ambulances and emergency communications systems. A citizen oversight committee would monitor expenditures.
Proposition TE: Palisades Fire Transfer Tax Exemption
Los Angeles’ Measure ULA established a special transfer tax on certain high-value real estate transactions, with revenue supporting affordable housing and tenant assistance programs. Proposition TE would create a temporary exemption from that tax for qualifying residential properties damaged or destroyed by the Palisades Fire. The exemption would remain available for qualifying sales through January 6, 2030.
Because those transactions would no longer generate the transfer tax, the measure is expected to reduce revenue that otherwise would go toward housing and tenant programs.
Charter Amendment EE: Ethics, Elections and Governance
Charter Amendment EE would make several changes to Los Angeles’ ethics and government rules. Among other provisions, the measure would:
Prohibit the executive director and commissioners of the Ethics Commission from running for city elected office or the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education for five years after leaving their positions.
Increase maximum monetary penalties for certain campaign finance violations.
Strengthen investigative authority for the Police Department Inspector General and Fire Department Independent Assessor.
Change requirements governing City Council meetings.
Make additional changes to election and governance rules.
Charter Amendment PRT: Airports, Harbor, Water and Power
Charter Amendment PRT would make several changes affecting Los Angeles’ proprietary departments. Among its provisions, the measure would establish residency requirements for members of the Board of Airport Commissioners, including representation from communities near Los Angeles International Airport and Van Nuys Airport. It would also require the Harbor Department to provide funding for certain waterfront public-access projects and make additional changes involving leases, agreements and workforce disclosures.
Charter Amendment PL: City Planning
Charter Amendment PL would make significant changes to Los Angeles’ planning and land-use review system. One major change would replace the city’s seven Area Planning Commissions with a Neighborhood Appeals Commission. The amendment would also establish new procedures for City Council review of planning decisions and make other changes to the Planning Department’s authority and procedures.
Charter Amendment SC: Board of Education Campaign Finance
Charter Amendment SC would clarify campaign finance rules governing Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education elections and allow additional changes to those rules to be made by ordinance.
Your Ballot May Include More Local Races
Los Angeles County includes 88 cities, numerous school districts and many special districts. Depending on where you live, your ballot may also include other races. The best way to know exactly what you will be voting on is to review your official sample ballot through the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk which was mailed to you or access a virtual version here.
Before You Vote
Take some time to review your ballot before Election Day. California voters can research candidates and statewide propositions through the California Secretary of State’s Official Voter Information Guide, while Los Angeles County voters can use the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s election resources to find their sample ballot and Vote Center information.
You can also check your voter registration status, track your vote-by-mail ballot and review nonpartisan voter guides from trusted election and news organizations.
Remember: your ballot is specific to where you live, so you may not see every race or measure discussed in this guide.
Additional Resources
California Secretary of State: Official Voter Information Guide
Information about statewide candidates, propositions and voting.
California Secretary of State: Voter Registration Status
Check your registration and voter information.
Los Angeles County Registrar: Recorder/County Clerk
Find your sample ballot, Vote Center locations and Los Angeles County election information.
LAist Voter Game Plan
Nonpartisan explainers covering California, Los Angeles County and City of Los Angeles races and ballot measures.
CalMatters 2026 Voter Guide
Information about statewide candidates, propositions, congressional races and California legislative races.
Ballotpedia
Additional information about candidates, ballot measures and elections across California.
Props In a Minute | California 2026 election
Short videos explaining California’s 2026 statewide ballot propositions to help voters understand the measures.
LA City Ballot Measures- Office of City Clerk
Official information about City of Los Angeles ballot measures.