2026 Election ACLU Cal Action Voter Guide
This November, Californians will decide fundamental questions about democracy, affordability, and your fundamental rights. The stakes are real and critical.
You deserve to know exactly what’s on the line for California.
Find out how to vote on ballot measures that impact your community.
Ballot Measures
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No Proposition 39 - Prohibits citizens from voting unless they present government-issued ID
Voting is a fundamental right, and every eligible Californian should be able to cast a ballot without unnecessary barriers.
Prop 39 would require voters to present a government-issued identification card for in-person voting and add a personal ID number on vote-by-mail envelopes. The measure is unclear on which kinds of ID would be accepted, creating an unnecessary barrier to the democratic process that will deny eligible voters access to the polls. These barriers would make it harder for eligible Californians to vote and put voter privacy at risk.
The burdens created by Prop 39 would especially affect voters who already face obstacles to participating in our democracy including voters of color, young voters, and voters with disabilities.
ACLU California Action says NO on Prop 39. Californians should protect every eligible person’s freedom to vote – not make it harder to exercise that right.
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Yes Proposition 1 - Authorizes bonds for housing affordability programs
Housing is a human right.
Prop 1 would authorize an $11.25 billion bond to build and preserve affordable homes and expand homeownership opportunities. This represents the largest public investment in affordable housing in California history and will benefit all of us – with an equity lens towards veterans, seniors, low-and middle-income Californians, people with disabilities, working families, farmworkers, foster youth, and people experiencing houselessness.
Safe, stable housing gives people the foundation to work, raise families and fully participate in their communities.
ACLU California Action says YES on Prop 1. California should invest in affordable housing that helps every person live with dignity and security.
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Yes Proposition 3 - Provides permanent funding for schools and healthcare by extending existing tax on high incomes
Every Californian deserves access to quality schools and health care.
Prop 3 would make an existing tax on California’s highest-income earners permanent, preserving $15 billion each year that currently funds public education and health care.
Strong public institutions expand opportunity and ensure that rights and freedoms are meaningful for everyone.
ACLU California Action says Yes on Prop 3. California should continue investing in students, schools, and services that strengthen our communities.
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Yes Proposition 4 - Repeals Prohibition against public funding of election campaigns
Democracy works best when everyone has a fair opportunity to run for office.
Prop 4 would repeal California’s ban on public financing of campaigns, allowing the state to create systems that reduce the influence of wealthy donors and expand opportunities for candidates from all backgrounds.
Elections should be decided by voters – not by who can raise the most money.
ACLU California Action says Yes on Prop 4. Public financing can help make California’s democracy more representative and accessible.
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No Proposition 41 - Prohibits new state taxes that exclude revenues from state spending limit. Requires audits for new state special taxes.
Voter-approved investments should go where voters intended.
Prop 41 would create new constitutional requirements for statewide special taxes that could delay ballot measures and make it harder to fund voter-approved priorities like health care, education and other essential public services.
California already has safeguards to ensure accountability for public funds. We don’t need new barriers that make it harder to invest in our communities.
ACLU California Action says NO on Prop 41. Voters should have the power to fund the services Californians rely on.
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No Proposition 42 - Prohibits new state personal property taxes and certain retroactive state taxes
Californians should have the power to decide how to fund the services our communities need.
Prop 42 would permanently ban new state taxes on financial assets and other personal property, limiting options available to future voters and lawmakers to respond to crises, protect essential services and invest in our communities.
If passed, Prop 42 will exacerbate wealth inequality while starving state budgets of funding for health care, public education, infrastructure and emergency services – leaving middle-class taxpayers to pick up the tab through higher sales and income taxes.
ACLU California Action says NO on Prop 42. California should preserve voters’ ability to make democratic choices about how we raise revenue and meet our communities’ needs.
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No Proposition 43 - Limits voters' ability to raise revenue for local government services
Communities should have the power to invest in the services they need.
Prop 43 would require two-thirds voter-approval for local revenue measures that voters themselves put on the ballot. That means just one-third of voters could block what the rest of us want, making it harder to fund schools, affordable housing, health care and other community priorities.
By raising voter thresholds for citizen-led proposals, Prop 43 threatens essential neighborhood investments—including affordable housing, public transit, emergency services, and community parks. Prop 43 effectively ties the hands of residents trying to fund critical local needs. A minority of voters should not be able to block investments supported by the majority.
ACLU California Action says NO on 43. California communities deserve the freedom to make local decisions that improve people’s lives.
Disclaimer for Ballot Measure Voter Guide:
Ad paid for by ACLU California Action Issues Committee. Ad Committee’s Top Funders:
ACLU of Northern California
ACLU Foundation of San Diego & Imperial Counties
ACLU California Action is non-partisan and does not endorse candidates for public office. Our candidate survey is designed to educate ACLU’s members and members of the voting public about public policy positions that impact our mission.