California Allow Public Financing of Election Campaigns Measure (2026)

California Allow Public Financing of Election Campaigns Measure
Election date November 3, 2026
Topic Campaign finance and Election administration and governance
Status On the ballot
Type Legislatively referred state statute	Origin State legislature

The California Allow Public Financing of Election Campaigns Measure is on the ballot in California as a legislatively referred state statute on November 3, 2026.

A "yes" vote supports repealing the ban on public financing of campaigns, enacted in 1988, and allowing the state and local governments to create programs that provide candidates with public funds under spending limits and eligibility rules.

A "no" vote opposes repealing the ban on using public funds for election campaigns, keeping the prohibition in place with the existing exemption for charter cities.

Overview

How would the measure change state law in relation to public funding of campaigns?

See also: Measure design

The measure would repeal the ban on public funding of campaigns, enacted by the approval of Proposition 73 in 1988, thereby allowing the state or local governments to establish programs for the public funding of election campaigns. Currently, state law allows charter cities to provide public financing for campaigns but prohibits the state, counties, districts, and general law cities from adopting such programs.

The measure would require the state and local governments to develop expenditure limits and criteria for candidates to qualify for public funds for election campaigns. It would prohibit the public funds from being used for legal defense fees, fines, or to repay a personal loan to their campaign.

Why do voters need to decide this change?

See also: Legislative alteration in California

In California, the legislature may only amend or repeal a voter-approved initiative if the initiative itself permits such changes; otherwise, any changes must be approved by voters. Proposition 73 does not allow the state legislature to amend the law outright. In 2016, the state legislature attempted to repeal the ban on public funding with the enactment of Senate Bill 1107, but it was overturned by a court that ruled the voters would need to approve such changes to the law via ballot measure because SB 1107 was inconsistent with the voter-enacted Political Reform Act of 1974.

The measure would add a provision to the state law authorizing the state legislature to amend the provisions of the law related to the public funding of campaigns without voter approval, but require voter approval on all other provisions of the law.

Do any states or cities allow for public funding of campaigns?

See also: Public financing of campaigns

As of September 2025, 14 states and Washington, D.C., provided for some method of public campaign financing for state offices. The states include:

• Arizona
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Hawaii
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts

• Michigan
• Minnesota
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• Rhode Island
• Vermont

In California, five charter cities—Berkeley, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, and San Francisco—have adopted such programs. The last city to adopt a program was Berkely in 2016 with the approval of Measure X1. The other programs were adopted in the 1990s and 2000.

Who supports and opposes the measure?

See also: Support and Opposition

The measure was endorsed by California Democratic Party, California Working Families Party, League of Women Voters of California, ACLU of California, California Common Cause, and Represent.Us. Sen. Ben Allen (D-24) said,"The California Fair Elections Act is all about trying to improve our Democracy and elections. Public financing programs serve as a tool to lessen the power of big money, expand opportunities for more people to run for office, and allow candidates to focus more on voter appeal instead of donor appeal."

The California Taxpayers Association opposes the measure. David Kline, Vice President of Communications and Research for California Taxpayers Association said, "People when they pay taxes want to pay for schools, fire departments, libraries, roads, that sort of thing. The last thing they want to pay for is a negative political ad that is going to hit them on the radio or T.V. during election season."

Measure design

See also: Text of measure

The measure would amend provisions of the Political Reform Act, which were adopted by the approval of Proposition 73 in 1988. Proposition 73 was an initiated state statute. In California, legislative alteration of an initiated state statute requires voter approval.

The measure would repeal the prohibition on public officers and candidates from expending or accepting public funds for campaign purposes, thereby allowing the state or local governments to establish programs for the public funding of election campaigns. SB 42 would require the state and local governments to develop expenditure limits and criteria for candidates to qualify for public funds for election campaigns. It would prohibit the public funds from being used for legal defense fees, fines, or to repay a personal loan to their campaign.

The expenditure limits would be established by statute, ordinance, or charter of the governing entity providing public election funds. The law would require the strict criteria set by the state or local governments for candidates to be eligible for public funds to require candidates to demonstrate broad-based support in their district (e.g., a minimum small-dollar contribution requirement or vouchers from a specified number of voting-age residents). The law would prohibit the strict criteria from requiring candidates to collect a specific number of signatures or raise a specified total dollar amount greater than $10 per contributor. The public funding program would be prohibited from discriminating against a candidate based on party affiliation or whether the candidate is an incumbent or challenger.

The measure would authorize the state legislature to amend the provisions of the law related to the public funding of campaigns without voter approval, but require voter approval on all other provisions of the law.

The measure would have also made changes to the ban on foreign entities making campaign contributions if Assembly Bill 953, which enacted identical changes, did not take effect. The measure added foreign national to the list of entities prohibited from making campaign contributions in the state. Foreign national was defined as "a person who is not a citizen of the United States and who is not a lawfully admitted permanent resident" and exempt persons granted deferred action under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program from this definition. AB 953 was unanimously approved and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Oct. 1, 2025.

Text of measure

The full text of the ballot measure is below:

Support

Ballotpedia has not located a campaign in support of the ballot measure. You can share campaign information or arguments, along with source links for this information, with us at editor@ballotpedia.org.

Supporters

Officials

• State Sen. Ben Allen (D)
• State Sen. Sabrina Cervantes (D)
• State Sen. Tom Umberg (D)

Political Parties

• California Democratic Party
• California Working Families Party

Organizations

• ACLU of California
• California Common Cause
• Consumer Watchdog
• End Citizens United
• League of Women Voters of California
• Represent.Us

Arguments

• Sean McMorris, Transparency, Ethics, and Accountability Program Manager for Common Cause: "It’s essentially leveling the playing field. It’s also an attempt to diversify the candidate field, which gives voters more choice."
• Sen. Ben Allen (D-24): "The California Fair Elections Act is all about trying to improve our Democracy and elections. Public financing programs serve as a tool to lessen the power of big money, expand opportunities for more people to run for office, and allow candidates to focus more on voter appeal instead of donor appeal."

Opposition

Ballotpedia has not located a campaign in opposition to the ballot measure. You can share campaign information or arguments, along with source links for this information, with us at editor@ballotpedia.org.

Opponents

Organizations

• California Taxpayers Association

Arguments

• David Kline, Vice President of Communications and Research for California Taxpayers Association: "People when they pay taxes want to pay for schools, fire departments, libraries, roads, that sort of thing. The last thing they want to pay for is a negative political ad that is going to hit them on the radio or T.V. during election season."

Campaign finance

See also: Ballot measure campaign finance, 2026

The campaign finance information on this page reflects the most recent scheduled reports that Ballotpedia has processed, which covered through October 5, 2025. The deadline for the next scheduled reports is January 31, 2026.

Ballotpedia has not identified any committees registered to support or oppose the ballot measures.

	Cash Contributions	In-Kind Contributions	Total Contributions	Cash Expenditures	Total Expenditures
Support	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Oppose	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Total	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

Background

California Proposition 73, Funds for Election Campaigns Initiative (June 1988)

See also: California Proposition 73, Funds for Election Campaigns Initiative (June 1988)

In June 1988, California voters approved Proposition 73 by a margin of 58% to 42%. The initiated state statute amended the Political Reform Act of 1974 placed limits on campaign contributions, prohibited the use of public funds for election campaigns, and prohibited elected officials from using public funds to send mass mailings. In 1990, U.S. District Judge Lawrence K. Karlton ruled the campaign contribution limits were unconstitutional because they violated the First Amendment right to freedom of expression.

California Proposition 9, Fair Political Practices Commission and Election and Campaign Policies Initiative (June 1974)

See also: California Proposition 9, Fair Political Practices Commission and Election and Campaign Policies Initiative (June 1974)

In June 1974, California voters approved Proposition 9, which is known as the Political Reform Act of 1974, by a margin of 70% to 30%. The initiated state statute:

• created the five-member Fair Political Practices Commission;
• limited campaign expenditures for candidates and ballot measure committees;
• required lobbyists to register with the California Secretary of State;
• prohibited contributions from lobbyists to candidates; and
• provided that the Legislative Analyst writes the analysis of ballot measures in the voter pamphlet, among other changes.

Public financing of campaigns

See also: Public financing of campaigns

As of September 2025, 14 states and Washington, D.C., provided for some method of public campaign financing for state offices. Public financing of campaigns is when the government provides funds to candidates running for political office. Three models of public financing are popular: 1) matching funds, where the "government 'matches' certain small-dollar donations earned by a candidate with public funds at a set rate;" 2) vouchers, where the "government distributes 'vouchers' representing a small amount of public funds to each eligible resident, who may donate the funds to a participating candidate of their choice;" and 3) grants, where "participating candidates receive lump-sum grants of public funds."

Public financing of local election campaigns in California

In California, charter cities are not prohibited from funding campaigns for city offices. As of September 2025, five charter cities—Berkeley, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, and San Francisco—have adopted such programs. The last city to adopt a program was Berkely in 2016 with the approval of Measure X1. The other programs were adopted in the 1990s and 2000.

Senate Bill 1107 (2016)

In 2016, the state legislature attempted to authorize public funding of elections with the passage of Senate Bill 1107, which allowed state or local governments to create dedicated funds that public officers or candidates could use for campaigning. SB 1107 was overturned, and the court ruled that voters would need to approve such changes to the law via ballot measure because SB 1107 was inconsistent with the voter-enacted Political Reform Act of 1974.

Legislative alteration in California

See also: Legislative alterations of ballot initiatives

In California, the legislature may only amend or repeal a voter-approved initiative if the initiative itself permits such changes; otherwise, any changes must be approved by voters. From 2010 to 2025, the California State Legislature has amended two initiated state statutes—Proposition 35 and Proposition 64. Proposition 35 increased the maximum sentence for human trafficking and was approved in 2012. It was amended by the state legislature in 2016. Proposition 64 legalized marijuana in 2016 and was amended in 2017. Both alterations were passed as measures to further the purpose of the initiatives and were, therefore, not referred to the voters.

Path to the ballot

See also: Legislatively referred state statute in California

A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the California State Legislature to place a legislatively referred state statute on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 41 votes in the California State Assembly and 21 votes in the California State Senate, assuming no vacancies. State statutes do require the governor's signature.

Senate Bill 42 (2025)

The following is the timeline of the bill in the state legislature:

• January 6, 2025: Senate Bill 42 was read for the first time.
• June 2, 2025: The state Senate passed SB 42 by a vote of 28-10.
• September 12, 2025: The state Assembly passed an amended version by a vote of 59-20.
• September 13, 2025: The state Senate concurred with the amendments by a vote of 29-8.
• October 2, 2025: Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed the bill, sending it to the ballot.

Partisan Direction Index = -100.0% (Democratic)

Democratic Support

100.0%

Republican Support

0.0%

California State Senate

Voted on September 13, 2025

Votes Required to Pass: 21
	Yes	No	NV
Total	29	8	3
Total %	72.5%	20.0%	7.5%
Democratic (D)	29	0	1
Republican (R)	0	8	2

California State Assembly

Voted on September 12, 2025

Votes Required to Pass: 41
	Yes	No	NV
Total	59	20	1
Total %	73.8%	25.0%	1.2%
Democratic (D)	59	0	1
Republican (R)	0	20	0

How to cast a vote

See also: Voting in California

See below to learn more about current voter registration rules, identification requirements, and poll times in California.

How to vote in California

Poll times

All polls in California are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.

Registration

Check your voter registration status here.

To vote in California, an individual must be a U.S. citizen and California resident. A voter must be at least 18 years of age on Election Day. Pre-registration is available at 16 years of age. Pre-registered voters are automatically registered to vote when they turn 18.

Automatic registration

California automatically registers eligible individuals to vote when they complete a driver's license, identification (ID) card, or change of address transaction through the Department of Motor Vehicles. Learn more by visiting this website.

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

California has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Same-day registration

California allows same-day voter registration.

Californians must be registered to vote at least 15 days before Election Day. If the registration deadline has passed for an upcoming election, voters may visit a location designated by their county elections official during the 14 days prior to, and including Election Day to conditionally register to vote and vote a provisional ballot, which are counted once county election officials have completed the voter registration verification process. The state refers to this process as Same Day Voter Registration.

Residency requirements

To register to vote in California, you must be a resident of the state. State law does not specify a length of time for which you must have been a resident to be eligible.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

California's constitution requires that voters be U.S. citizens. When registering to vote, proof of citizenship is not required. Individuals who become U.S. citizens less than 15 days before an election must bring proof of citizenship to their county elections office to register to vote in that election. An individual applying to register to vote must attest that they are a U.S. citizen under penalty of perjury.

As of November 2024, two jurisdictions in California had authorized noncitizen residents to vote for local board of education positions through local ballot measures. Only one of those jurisdictions, San Francisco, had implemented that law. Noncitizens voting for board of education positions must register to vote using a separate application from the state voter registration application.

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment. Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. One state, Ohio, requires proof of citizenship only when registering to vote at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles facility. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

Verifying your registration

The secretary of state's My Voter Status website allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

Voter ID requirements

California does not require voters to present identification before casting a ballot in most cases.

On September 29, 2024, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed SB 1174 into law prohibiting any jurisdiction in the state from adopting a local law that requires voters to present ID before voting.

The federal Help America Vote Act requires that individuals in all 50 states who register to vote by mail and who have not voted previously in a federal election in their state must provide either their driver's license or a paycheck, bank statement, current utility bill, or government document showing their name and address. Individuals voting by mail must include a copy of one of those documents with their absentee/mail-in ballot.

These requirements do not apply if an individual submitted a copy of their identification, their driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number when registering to vote.

The following list of accepted ID to comply with HAVA requirements was current as of October 2025. Click here for the California Secretary of State page to ensure you have the most current information.

“

Current and valid photo identification provided by a third party in the ordinary course of business that includes the name and photograph of the individual presenting it. Examples of photo identification include, but are not limited to, the following documents: driver's license or identification card of any state; passport; employee identification card; identification card provided by a commercial establishment; credit or debit card; military identification card; student identification card; health club identification card; insurance plan identification card; or public housing identification card. Any of the following documents, provided that the document includes the name and address of the individual presenting it, and is dated since the date of the last general election…: utility bill; bank statement; government check; government paycheck; document issued by a governmental agency; sample ballot or other official elections document issued by a governmental, agency dated for the election in which the individual is providing it as proof, of residency or identity; voter notification card issued by a governmental agency; public housing identification card issued by a governmental agency; lease or rental statement or agreement issued by a governmental agency; student identification card issued by a governmental agency; tuition statement or bill issued by a governmental agency; insurance plan card or drug discount card issued by a governmental agency; discharge certificates, pardons, or other official documents issued to the individual by a governmental agency in connection with the resolution of a criminal case, indictment, sentence, or other matter; public transportation authority senior citizen and disabled discount cards issued by a governmental agency; identification documents issued by governmental disability agencies; identification documents issued by government homeless shelters and other government temporary or transitional facilities; drug prescription issued by a government doctor or other governmental health care provider; property tax statement issued by a governmental agency; vehicle registration issued by a governmental agency; or vehicle certificate of ownership issued by a governmental agency.

”

See also

2026 measures

• 2026 ballot measures
• Campaign finance on the ballot
• Election policy on the ballot

California

• California ballot measures
• California ballot measure laws

News and analysis

• Ballot measure lawsuits
• Ballot measure readability
• Ballot measure polls

External links

• Senate Bill 42 Full Text

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