Proposition 4: Public campaign financingLets state and local governments give public money to candidates' campaigns
Read the full text of the measure: Official Voter Information Guide (PDF)
In plain words
"Public financing" means government money given to candidates who qualify, often by matching small donations. Since 1988, state law has banned it for the state and most local governments; only some charter cities (cities with their own basic rulebook) such as Los Angeles and San Francisco have it. This lifts the ban. It does not create any program by itself. Any program would have to bar money meant for schools, transportation or public safety, require candidates to show broad support, and set spending limits. (sos.ca.gov (Official Voter Information Guide) )
Before and after
| Question | Today | If it passes |
|---|---|---|
| Can the state or a county give public money to campaigns? | No (banned since 1988) | Yes, if it chooses to set up a program |
| Which cities have programs | Only some charter cities (such as LA, San Francisco, Long Beach, Oakland, Berkeley) | Any city or county could choose to |
| Rules for any program | Not applicable | No school, transportation or public safety money; no paying legal fees, fines or personal loans; candidates must show broad support and accept spending limits |
| Fine for foreign campaign contributions | Current maximum | Tripled |
Numbers from the official ballot title (ballot title ); also see (sos.ca.gov (Official Voter Information Guide) )
Biggest change
- Repeals the ban on public funding of campaigns and sets ground rules for any program a government creates. source: sos.ca.gov (Official Voter Information Guide)
Who it affects most: Candidates for state and local office and the governments that might choose to fund programs; taxpayers if a program is created.
Cost to the state: A few hundred thousand dollars a year for the Fair Political Practices Commission. Costs of any future programs depend on decisions by the state or local governments and could be significant (Legislative Analyst).
Our plain-words summary. Every line points to its source.
What your vote means
The state, counties and cities may create programs that give public money to qualifying candidates, within set limits.
The ban stays: the state and most local governments still cannot give public money to campaigns.
Our one-line summary. The official "What your vote means" statements are in the Secretary of State's Official Voter Information Guide, linked below.
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
The Legislature put this on the ballot. It changes a state law, which lawmakers can later change. It passes with a simple majority.
- The Legislature placed it on the ballot. It passed the Senate 29 to 8 and the Assembly 59 to 20. The ban dates from 1988; it changes a law voters passed, so it needs voter approval. source: sos.ca.gov (Official Voter Information Guide)
- Only five California cities, including Berkeley and San Francisco, now have public financing for local offices. source: CalMatters
Why supporters want it
- Official argument in favor: campaign spending favors special interests and small-dollar matching would help qualified candidates compete. Quick reference: "California is the ONLY state that bans public funding of campaigns." Signed by Lorrel Plimier (League of Women Voters of California), Catherine Kennedy (California Nurses Association) and state Sen. Tom Umberg. source: voterguide.sos.ca.gov (Secretary of State)
Why opponents object
- Official argument against: "Prop. 4 allows politicians to use YOUR taxpayer money to fund their negative campaigns." Opponents say it sets no limits on number of candidates or funding. Signed by Dan Schnur and Colleen McAndrews (former Fair Political Practices Commission chair and commissioner) and Julian Canete (California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce). source: voterguide.sos.ca.gov (Secretary of State)
Who backs each side
- For: League of Women Voters of CA, California Nurses Association, California Common Cause, Consumer Watchdog, California Clean Money Campaign, California Democratic Party. Against: California Taxpayers Association, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, Family Business Association of California, United Latinos Action, Reform California. source: voterguide.sos.ca.gov (Secretary of State)
- Money: the Secretary of State listed no committees for or against as of Aug. 2, 2026. source: sos.ca.gov (Secretary of State)
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
The official ballot title, word for word from the Secretary of State's Official Voter Information Guide .
REPEALS PROHIBITION AGAINST PUBLIC FUNDING OF ELECTION CAMPAIGNS. LEGISLATIVE STATUTE.
YES
NO
Official title copied word for word from the Official Voter Information Guide (page 30). The title and summary are prepared by the Attorney General.
Official summary by the Attorney General (tap to open)
Current law prohibits state and local governments from using public funds for election campaigns except in charter cities and counties. This measure repeals that prohibition and allows state and local governments to establish public campaign financing programs for candidates who agree to specified spending limits and meet eligibility criteria. Prohibits public funding programs from using funds earmarked for education, transportation, or public safety. Prohibits candidates from using public funds for legal defense costs, fines, or repayment of personal loans to campaigns. Triples maximum fine for campaign contributions by foreign entities.(sos.ca.gov (Official Voter Information Guide) )
Latest news
Recent reporting from a range of outlets, newest first. We link to it; we don't endorse it.
No articles collected yet for this measure.
Full text of the measure
The full text of the proposed law is printed in the Official Voter Information Guide. Read it in the Official Voter Information Guide (PDF) , or on the Legislature's page for Senate Bill 42 (Umberg), Chapter 245, Statutes of 2025 , which also shows the votes in each chamber.
Read more
- Secretary of State: Official Voter Information Guide, Nov. 3, 2026 (PDF)
- Official Voter Information Guide: Proposition 4
- Official arguments and rebuttals
- Legislative Analyst's analysis
We link to analysis from several sources; we don't endorse it.