Ballot Breakdown 2026 Midterm Election

With Election Day approaching, California voters will have several statewide propositions to consider on the 2026 midterm election ballot. Fresno County voters will also decide on two local measures.

Here is a breakdown of what voters will see on the ballot and what each proposition and measure would do.

Statewide Propositions

First, California voters will decide on propositions covering issues ranging from housing and taxes to elections, healthcare, and environmental policy.

Proposition 1: Lets the state borrow $11 billion for affordable housing for veterans. No one is publicly against this measure.

Proposition 2: Changes the rules on how the state saves and spends money, basically ensuring there’s always a 20% savings in the so-called “rainy day” reserves.

Proposition 3: Continues the higher tax rate on higher-wage earners in the state and uses that money for education and other state programs.

Proposition 4: Addresses how candidates are allowed to fund their campaigns. This lifts a current ban on financing, allowing public funds to be used, within certain limits.

Proposition 5: Changes the way recall elections are managed. Right now, if you want to recall an elected official, you have to say so and choose the replacement. It would split that into two separate questions and ballots.

Proposition 37: Authorizes bonds to raise $25 billion to help certain Californians get a home loan.

Proposition 38: Allows the state to borrow over $8 billion to be used for research on cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and even Parkinson’s disease.

Proposition 39: Requires every California voter to have and show specific identification to vote, more than is already required to register to vote.

Proposition 40: Imposes a 5% tax on Californians who are worth over $1 billion. The money raised would be used to fund medical care for veterans, seniors and families.

Proposition 41: Requires an audit before any new taxes can be put on the ballot to ensure the tax would be used and useful in the manner in which it’s designed.

Proposition 42: Prohibits new taxes on personal property, including retirement and savings accounts. This is tricky the way it’s worded because a “no” vote would cancel Proposition 40, the so-called billionaire tax.

Proposition 43: Increases the vote threshold needed for measures to pass. Instead of a simple 50% plus one vote, special tax measures would need a two-thirds vote to pass.

Proposition 44: Puts guardrails on how health clinics spend money. This measure would require clinics to spend 90% of their money on patients.

Proposition 45: Amends the California Environmental Quality Act, also known as CEQA. It cuts back some environmental protections to help building and other projects get greenlit quicker.

Fresno County Measures

Beyond the statewide propositions, Fresno County voters are voting on two local measures involving with taxes and county services.

Measure A: The Fresno County hotel tax. It would add a 12% tax on hotel stays with the money going toward public safety and infrastructure.

Measure S: A new half-cent sales tax to raise money for county roads and other safety improvements.

With several propositions and local measures on the ballot, voters have a number of decisions to make this election.

Before casting a ballot, voters can review the full language of each measure and additional election information through the California Secretary of State and Fresno County Elections websites.