My November 2026 Ballot
Every measure on a Santa Rosa ballot, scored against your voting matrix, with who put it on the ballot and who is paying for each side.
My voting matrix
What I stand for
- Tax wealth, not work.
- Progressive brackets for high earners, starting around $300,000.
- Keep other taxes limited, mainly to fund firefighters, police and other public workers.
- Pay down debt. Avoid new state borrowing.
- Pro-labor. Generally vote with labor.
- Who is funding it really matters.
Priority order
- Taxing wealth. Always first, no caveats.
- Avoiding debt.
- Supporting labor.
Every conflict gets raised. When two principles point different ways, flag it and decide it yourself. The order is a guide, not an autopilot.
Check any measure in 6 steps
- Follow the money. Look at the FPPC Top 10 list or the "Ad paid for by" box on a mailer. A billionaire, a single megadonor or a business group means be skeptical. Labor money is a good sign.
- Check labor. Your union (SEIU Local 1000) first, then the California Labor Federation, then individual unions. If unions split, let the funding break the tie.
- Check the tax. Taxes wealth or income over about $300K: Yes. Blocks those taxes: No. A tax everyone pays: only if it funds firefighters, police or other public workers.
- Check the debt. Bonds or new borrowing: lean No. Saves money or pays down debt: lean Yes.
- Read the text last. It catches a good cause with bad funders, or a nice title hiding something you'd oppose.
- Flag any conflict. If the steps point different ways, mark it and make the call yourself.
This ballot, scored
| Measure | money | labor | tax | debt | My vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meas. L | – | Y | Y | – | Yes |
| Meas. H | – | – | N | – | Your call |
| Meas. ABConflict | – | Y | ± | N | Your call |
| Prop 1Conflict | ± | Y | – | N | No |
| Prop 2 | – | Y | – | Y | Leaning Yes |
| Prop 3 | Y | Y | Y | – | Yes |
| Prop 4 | – | Y | – | – | Yes |
| Prop 5 | – | – | – | – | Yes |
| Prop 37Conflict | N | Y | – | N | Leaning No |
| Prop 38Conflict | N | Y | – | N | No |
| Prop 39 | N | N | – | – | No |
| Prop 40Conflict | Y | ± | Y | – | Yes |
| Prop 41 | N | N | N | – | No |
| Prop 42Conflict | N | ± | N | – | No |
| Prop 43 | N | N | N | – | No |
| Prop 44Conflict | Y | ± | – | – | Yes |
| Prop 45 | ± | N | – | – | Leaning No |
Y or N = which way that test points. ± = split. – = doesn't apply. Conflict = your principles disagreed and you made the call.
At a glance
Outlined measures decide the fate of the billionaire tax. Tap any measure to open its details.
Billionaire tax watch
- Three measures decide it. Prop 40 creates the tax. Props 41 and 42 would each cancel it. If 40 passes along with 41 or 42, the measure with more Yes votes wins where they conflict. Voting No on 41 and 42 matters as much as Yes on 40.
- Read the "Ad Paid for by" box. California requires campaign mailers and ads to name the committee and its top funders. If you see one of these names, the piece is working against the billionaire tax:Yes on 42 – Protect Retirement & Life SavingsYes on 41 – Californians for Transparency and AccountabilityGolden State PromiseNo on Prop 40 – Doctors, Teachers, Small Businesses…Building a Better California
- Follow the money. Building a Better California is the main funder of all three: $88.5M against Prop 40, $58.4M for Prop 41 and $97.8M for Prop 42. News reports say Google co-founder Sergey Brin has given it over $100M, with John Doerr and Ripple's Chris Larsen also giving millions. It also gave to Yes on Props 1, 37 and 45.
- Watch the framing. The other side's official arguments talk about protecting retirement savings, "double taxation," audits and accountability, and the state spending limit. None of those words mention billionaires, so check the funder box.
Measure by measure
Tap a measure to see what it does, who supports it and who is paying for it.
MeasureLSanta Rosa Community Safety and Financial Stability MeasureYes
Renews the city's half-cent sales tax at 1 cent, with no end date. About $46M a year for fire, 911, police and street repair.
You switched this to Yes for firefighters. It is a sales tax everyone pays, which is why your no-new-taxes goal first pointed to No.
- On ballot by
- Santa Rosa City Council (6–0 vote)
- Supporters
- Placed on the ballot by the City Council. The city itself takes no position.
- Opponents
- See the arguments on the city's Measure L page.
- Labor
- Funds fire, 911 and police services the city says it has already cut.
- Money
- City measure. Donor filings are kept by the Santa Rosa City Clerk, not the state.
MeasureHSonoma County Parks Improvement, Water Quality, and Fire Safety MeasureYour call
Renews the county's 1/8-cent parks sales tax when it expires in 2029, with no end date. Same rate. Over $15M a year: two-thirds to county regional parks, one-third to city parks. Needs a two-thirds vote.
Not decided yet. Your tax test leans No: a sales tax everyone pays, mostly for parks rather than firefighters or police, though part goes to wildfire risk reduction.
- On ballot by
- Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
- Supporters
- Placed on the ballot by the Board of Supervisors. No advocacy groups found.
- Opponents
- None found.
- Labor
- No union positions found. The North Bay Labor Council's endorsements would settle it.
- Money
- County measure. Donor filings are kept by the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters, not the state. No donors found.
MeasureABSanta Rosa Junior College Facilities BondYour call
$830M in bonds for classrooms, labs, safety systems and job-training facilities (nursing, fire, EMS, trades). About $22–25 per $100,000 of assessed value a year until 2059, about $1.76B total repayment. The college says it keeps the current combined rate. Needs 55%.
Not decided yet. Conflict: debt (#2) says No, labor (#3) says Yes. It's local debt repaid by a property tax line, not from the state budget.
- On ballot by
- SRJC Board of Trustees
- Supporters
- Argument signed by a firefighter, a nurse, the SRJC fire academy instructor and Asm. Chris Rogers.
- Opponents
- One county resident (Andrew J. Smith).
- Labor
- Trains firefighters, nurses and building trades; labor-side signers on the Yes argument.
- Money
- District measure. Donor filings are kept by the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters. Campaign: Friends of SRJC.
Prop1Authorizes Bonds for Housing Affordability ProgramsNo
$11.25 billion in state bonds for affordable rentals, veterans' mortgages, supportive housing and down payment help. Costs $500–600M a year for about 25 years.
It would build housing, which you want, but it's state debt repaid from the same budget as state pay and staffing. Your no-new-debt line points to No.
- On ballot by
- Legislature
- Supporters
- US Vets; CA Federation of Teachers; Habitat for Humanity CA; Self-Help for the Elderly
- Opponents
- None submitted
- Labor
- Teachers' union supports; the carpenters' regional council gave $1M.
- Money for Yes
- Airbnb $1M · Western States Regional Council of Carpenters $1M · Building a Better California $1M · NPH Action Fund $0.76M
- Money for No
- None reported over $1M
Prop2Increases State's Rainy Day FundLeaning Yes
Raises the cap on the state's budget reserve so more is saved for downturns, and extends extra payments on state debts.
The opposite of borrowing: it saves for downturns and pays down debt, which fits your no-new-debt line. Firefighters back it.
- On ballot by
- Legislature
- Supporters
- CA Professional Firefighters; LA Chamber of Commerce; Gov. Gavin Newsom
- Opponents
- None submitted (Asm. David Tangipa wrote the argument against)
- Labor
- Firefighters support.
- Money for Yes
- None reported over $1M
- Money for No
- None reported over $1M
Prop3Extends Existing Tax on High Incomes for Schools and Health CareYes
Makes the 2012 tax rates on income over about $371,000 permanent instead of expiring in 2031.
Keeps higher earners paying more without a new tax on anyone else. The threshold is lower than the $1M you mentioned.
- On ballot by
- Petition (Yes campaign led by teachers' unions)
- Supporters
- CA Teachers Association; CA School Nurses Organization; CA State PTA; Planned Parenthood Affiliates of CA
- Opponents
- CA Taxpayers Association; Family Business Association of CA; CA Hispanic Chambers of Commerce
- Labor
- Teachers, school nurses and school employees support and fund it.
- Money for Yes
- CA Teachers Association $33.3M · National Education Association $7.5M · CA School Employees Association $2.6M
- Money for No
- None reported over $1M
Prop4Repeals Prohibition Against Public Funding of Election CampaignsYes
Lets state and local governments create public financing programs for candidates.
The closest measure to getting big-donor money out of politics. Opponents object to using taxpayer money on campaigns.
- On ballot by
- Legislature
- Supporters
- League of Women Voters of CA; CA Nurses Association; Consumer Watchdog; Social Security Works
- Opponents
- CA Taxpayers Association; Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association; Family Business Association of CA
- Labor
- Nurses' union supports.
- Money for Yes
- None reported over $1M
- Money for No
- None reported over $1M
Prop5Changes Recall Election Process for Statewide OfficersYes
Removes the replacement question from recall ballots. Vacancies would be filled by special election or appointment.
Your decision: a clean yes/no on removal, so a replacement can't win with a small share of the vote. No money on either side.
- On ballot by
- Legislature
- Supporters
- None listed officially; the Yes argument cites the League of Women Voters and Common Cause
- Opponents
- None submitted
- Labor
- No labor groups listed.
- Money for Yes
- None reported over $1M
- Money for No
- None reported over $1M
Prop37Creates Loan Program for Middle-Income Buyers of New HomesLeaning No
Up to $25 billion in bonds for low-rate loans covering up to 17% of a new home's price. Repaid by borrowers, not the state.
Softer than the other bonds because borrowers repay it, but it's still state-issued debt. Realtors fund it and Building a Better California gave $6M. Nurses and carpenters back it.
- On ballot by
- Petition (funded mainly by the CA Association of Realtors)
- Supporters
- United Nurses Associations of CA; CA Conference of Carpenters; State Treasurer Fiona Ma
- Opponents
- None submitted
- Labor
- Nurses' and carpenters' unions support; the carpenters gave $0.8M.
- Money for Yes
- CA Association of Realtors (via its committee) $14.9M · Building a Better California $6M · Carpenters union $0.8M
- Money for No
- None reported over $1M
Prop38Authorizes Bonds for Immunology Medical ResearchNo
$8.4 billion in bonds for immunology research, half to one UC-affiliated institute. Costs $500–600M a year for about 20 years.
State debt repaid from the general budget, which your no-new-debt line rules out. Also funded mostly by one donor, with half the money going to one institute.
- On ballot by
- Petition (funded mainly by Gary Michelson)
- Supporters
- Michael J. Fox Foundation; Alzheimer's Los Angeles; Kidney Cancer Association; American Nurses Association/CA
- Opponents
- Robert M. Kaplan, Ph.D. (Stanford)
- Labor
- A nurses' association supports.
- Money for Yes
- Gary Michelson $25M, plus $21.2M through his policy center · Meyer Luskin $5M
- Money for No
- None reported over $1M
Prop39Requires Government-Issued ID to VoteNo
Requires ID at the polls and the last four digits of an ID number on mail ballots, or the ballot is rejected. A constitutional amendment. Costs tens of millions to low hundreds of millions a year.
Your decision. Mostly one megadonor on Yes, SEIU on No, and a new ongoing cost to the state budget.
- On ballot by
- Petition (funded mainly by Richard Uihlein)
- Supporters
- The Transparency Foundation; Latino American Political Association; Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association; CA Women's Leadership Association
- Opponents
- ACLU California Action; Common Cause; League of Women Voters of CA
- Labor
- SEIU California gave $1M to the No side.
- Money for Yes
- Richard Uihlein $17M · Reform California (Carl DeMaio) $3.1M · Nicole Shanahan $0.37M
- Money for No
- CA Democratic Party $5.5M across two committees · Graton Rancheria $2M · Patty Quillin $1.5M · M. Quinn Delaney $1.5M · SEIU California $1M
Prop40The billionaire taxImposes One-Time Tax on Certain Taxpayers (Billionaire Tax)Yes · top priority
A one-time 5% tax on taxpayers with more than $1 billion in assets, mostly for health care.
Your top priority. Directly taxes the wealthiest, and only them.
- On ballot by
- Petition (sponsored by SEIU United Healthcare Workers West)
- Supporters
- Sen. Bernie Sanders; SEIU United Healthcare Workers West
- Opponents
- CA Primary Care Association; CA School Boards Association; CA Taxpayers Association. The No argument also names CA Teachers Association, CA Professional Firefighters and the State Building Trades.
- Labor
- Split. SEIU-UHW sponsors and funds it; teachers, firefighters and building trades oppose.
- Money for Yes
- SEIU United Healthcare Workers West $31.8M across its accounts
- Money for No
- Building a Better California $88.5M · Ripple Labs $5M · Chris Larsen $5M · CA Business Roundtable $0.45M
Prop41Blocks Prop 40Limits New State Taxes Outside the Spending Limit; Requires AuditsNo · blocks Prop 40
Cancels new taxes since Jan 1, 2026 that sit outside the state spending limit, and requires audits of new special taxes.
Prop 40's money sits outside the spending limit, so this would cancel the billionaire tax. Pitched as audits and accountability.
- On ballot by
- Petition (funded by Building a Better California)
- Supporters
- CA Society of CPAs; CalAsian Chamber of Commerce; CA Taxpayers Association
- Opponents
- Sen. Bernie Sanders; SEIU United Healthcare Workers West
- Labor
- SEIU-UHW opposes.
- Money for Yes
- Building a Better California $58.4M (nearly all of it)
- Money for No
- SEIU United Healthcare Workers West, through the Yes on 40 / No on 41 & 42 committee
Prop42Blocks Prop 40Prohibits New State Personal Property Taxes and Some Retroactive TaxesNo · blocks Prop 40
Bans new state taxes on owning personal property, including financial assets, and some retroactive taxes.
Would cancel the billionaire tax. Firefighters and building trades back it, but since Prop 40 is your top priority, No wins here. Pitched as protecting retirement savings.
- On ballot by
- Petition (funded by Building a Better California)
- Supporters
- CA Professional Firefighters; State Building & Construction Trades Council; AMVETS Dept. of CA
- Opponents
- Sen. Bernie Sanders; SEIU United Healthcare Workers West
- Labor
- Split. Firefighters and building trades support; SEIU-UHW opposes.
- Money for Yes
- Building a Better California $97.8M (nearly all of it)
- Money for No
- SEIU United Healthcare Workers West, through the Yes on 40 / No on 41 & 42 committee
Prop43Limits Voters' Ability to Raise Revenue for Local ServicesNo
Raises the vote needed for voter-proposed local special taxes from a majority to two-thirds, starting 2027. Does not cut any existing tax or affect Prop 40.
Your decision: labor over no-new-taxes, same as Measure L. Firefighters, teachers and SEIU oppose it, and business groups fund the Yes side.
- On ballot by
- Legislature
- Supporters
- CA Taxpayers Association; Family Business Association of CA; CA Hispanic Chambers of Commerce
- Opponents
- CA Professional Firefighters; CA Federation of Teachers; Nurse Alliance of SEIU CA
- Labor
- Firefighters, teachers and SEIU oppose; SEIU funds the No side.
- Money for Yes
- CA Business Roundtable $9.9M · Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association $1.0M · Kilroy Realty $1M
- Money for No
- SEIU California $1.5M · SEIU Local 1021 $0.5M · SEIU Local 721 $0.5M
Prop44Requires Community Health Clinics to Spend 90% of Revenue on ServicesYes
Penalizes nonprofit community clinics that spend less than 90% of revenue on program services.
Your decision: siding with labor and holding clinic spending accountable. Doctors, pediatricians and clinic operators warn it could close clinics.
- On ballot by
- Petition (funded by SEIU United Healthcare Workers West)
- Supporters
- None listed officially; the Yes campaign contact is SEIU-UHW
- Opponents
- American Academy of Pediatrics CA; CA School Nurses Organization; CA Academy of Family Physicians; CA Medical Association
- Labor
- Split. SEIU-UHW funds the Yes side; school nurses oppose.
- Money for Yes
- SEIU United Healthcare Workers West $16.9M
- Money for No
- AltaMed Health Services $5.5M · CA Primary Care Association $2.1M · Family Health Centers of San Diego $1.5M
Prop45Modifies Environmental Review (CEQA) for Certain ProjectsLeaning No
Sets deadlines for environmental review and lawsuits on most housing, transportation, water and health projects, and narrows what courts can consider.
Your decision: you want more housing built, but not through this bill. Construction unions oppose it, and Building a Better California and PG&E fund it. Billionaire money is on both sides here.
- On ballot by
- Petition (funded by builders and Building a Better California)
- Supporters
- CA Children's Hospital Association; CA Water Association; CA Council for Affordable Housing
- Opponents
- Coalition for Clean Air; CA Environmental Voters; Physicians for Social Responsibility LA; National Wildlife Federation
- Labor
- Building trades, laborers, operating engineers and iron workers fund the No side.
- Money for Yes
- Building a Better California $10M · CA Building Industry Association $7.9M · PG&E $2.4M
- Money for No
- Clean and Healthy California $7.1M · Wendy Schmidt $5M · State Building Trades $2.0M · Laborers $1.5M · Operating Engineers Local 12 $1M · Iron Workers $1M
Nonpartisan offices
Marked on your ballot. Your money, labor, tax and debt tests don't apply to judges.