Proposition 43: Two-thirds vote for local special taxesCitizen-proposed local special taxes would need two-thirds of the vote
Read the full text of the measure: Official Voter Information Guide (PDF)
In plain words
A "local special tax" is a city, county or district tax for one purpose, like fire protection or libraries. When a local government proposes one, it already needs two-thirds of the vote. Court rulings have let special taxes proposed by voters through petitions pass with a simple majority. This would require two-thirds for those too, starting Jan. 1, 2027. (lao.ca.gov (Legislative Analyst's Office) )
Before and after
| Question | Today | If it passes |
|---|---|---|
| Local special tax proposed by the city, county or district | Two-thirds vote | Two-thirds vote (same) |
| Local special tax proposed by voters through a petition | Simple majority (more than half) | Two-thirds vote, starting Jan. 1, 2027 |
Numbers from the official ballot title (ballot title ); also see (lao.ca.gov (Legislative Analyst's Office) )
Example
Illustration only: a voter-proposed parcel tax for fire services gets 60% yes. Today it passes; under Prop. 43 it would fail. (lao.ca.gov (Legislative Analyst's Office) )
Biggest change
- Any new, increased or extended voter-proposed local special tax would need two-thirds approval starting Jan. 1, 2027. source: lao.ca.gov (Legislative Analyst's Office)
Who it affects most: Local residents and groups that petition for local taxes, and local services such as fire, libraries, parks and transit that such taxes fund.
Cost to the state: Possibility that local government tax revenues will not go up as much in the future; actual impact unknown (Legislative Analyst).
Our plain-words summary. Every line points to its source.
What your vote means
Starting in 2027, local special taxes proposed by voters would need two-thirds of the vote to pass.
Local special taxes proposed by voters can still pass with a simple majority.
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 the state constitution, so only another statewide vote can change it back. It passes with a simple majority.
- It reflects a deal between state lawmakers and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association to keep a broader tax-limit initiative off the ballot. source: CalMatters
Touches the state's tax-limit rules: California's spending limit and local tax votes, in plain words, explained.
Why supporters want it
- Official argument in favor: court rulings created "loopholes" in Prop. 13, and Prop. 43 restores the two-thirds vote; "We can't afford to pay ANY MORE in new or higher taxes." Signed by Robert Gutierrez (California Taxpayers Association), Robert Rivinius (Family Business Association of California) and Julian Canete (California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce). source: voterguide.sos.ca.gov (Secretary of State)
Why opponents object
- Official argument against: "Even if 66% of voters say yes, Prop. 43 would prevent us from funding desperately needed local services." Signed by Darrell Roberts (California Professional Firefighters), Chris Harkins (Nurse Alliance of SEIU California) and Adam Weinberger (California School Employees Association). source: voterguide.sos.ca.gov (Secretary of State)
Who backs each side
- For: Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, California Taxpayers Association, Family Business Association of California, California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, Reform California. Against: California Professional Firefighters, California Federation of Teachers, Nurse Alliance of SEIU CA, SEIU Local 1000, California Democratic Party. source: voterguide.sos.ca.gov (Secretary of State)
- Money (Secretary of State, through Oct. 6, 2026): committees in support reported $10,005,010; committees in opposition reported $7,958,020. 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 .
LIMITS VOTERS’ ABILITY TO RAISE REVENUES FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES. LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
YES
NO
Official title copied word for word from the Official Voter Information Guide (page 66). The title and summary are prepared by the Attorney General.
Official summary by the Attorney General (tap to open)
Currently, local governments must obtain two-thirds voter approval to impose, extend, or increase special taxes (taxes dedicated to a specific purpose) that they place on the ballot. However, this two-thirds vote requirement does not currently apply to special taxes put on ballot by voter signature gathering. This measure would limit voters’ ability to pass voter-proposed local special taxes by raising the percentage of votes needed to approve such ballot measures from a majority (over 50%) to two-thirds. Applies to voter-proposed ballot measures approved after January 1, 2027.(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.
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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 Assembly Constitutional Amendment 22 (Wicks), Resolution Chapter 132, Statutes of 2026 , 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 43
- Official arguments and rebuttals
- Legislative Analyst's analysis
We link to analysis from several sources; we don't endorse it.