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Current pamphlets and voter guides are insufficient in helping voters make informed decisions. They are often way too overwhelming, unclear, biased, and prioritize text over other ways of getting information across. The goal of this resource is to help everyone (including non-native English speakers) get a better understanding of why a proposition is on the ballot, what the backstory (if any) behind it is, and who supports it. I created this website for myself to make it easier to understand what's going on, but wanted to share it with others in case it could be helpful.
– An independent SF/CA voter with a career in data
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Your November 3, 2026 ballot
Every measure on a San Francisco ballot, with what a YES or NO vote does, why it’s on the ballot now, who is paying for each side, and who supports it.
The City updates its Charter, cuts or reorganizes some commissions, lets the Board approve legal settlements by resolution, and must amend some voter-approved laws.
NO
The Charter stays as it is. Current commissions and processes stay, and most voter-approved laws still need voter approval to change.
To pass: more than half of votes Some measures need 55% or two-thirds of votes to pass. This one needs only a simple majority.
If funding allows, the City may create a government-owned lender. After three years of operation, it may seek approval to become a deposit-taking public bank.
NO
The Charter stays as it is. No local law would let the City create a municipal finance corporation or a public bank.
To pass: more than half of votes Some measures need 55% or two-thirds of votes to pass. This one needs only a simple majority.
Housing Trust Fund payments rise to $125 million, then up to 3% yearly until 2058, with pauses or cuts allowed. Downpayment loans reach higher incomes.
NO
No changes. The City contributed $50.8 million to the Fund last year, per the ballot digest. The Fund is set to expire in 2043.
To pass: more than half of votes Some measures need 55% or two-thirds of votes to pass. This one needs only a simple majority.
Ordinance and policy petitions need 8% of registered voters, not 2%, more for special elections; withdrawals allowed. Mayor or four supervisors can't place measures alone.
NO
Ordinance and policy petitions still need 2% of registered voters. The Mayor or four supervisors can still place measures. Submitted petitions still cannot be withdrawn.
To pass: more than half of votes Some measures need 55% or two-thirds of votes to pass. This one needs only a simple majority.
The City Administrator gets ten-year terms, more authority. With some exceptions, Board approval starts at $25 million in costs or $4.5 million in revenue.
NO
The City Administrator keeps five-year terms and shared authority. With some exceptions, Board approval starts at $10 million in costs or $1 million in revenue.
To pass: more than half of votes Some measures need 55% or two-thirds of votes to pass. This one needs only a simple majority.
Unless the Board objects, the Mayor could merge most departments, not eliminating Charter duties. Allows deputy mayors, firing most department heads, removing commissioners without cause.
NO
The Mayor cannot move Charter departments’ duties or fire most department heads. Most Charter departments can’t have deputy mayors. Commissioners usually need cause for removal.
To pass: more than half of votes Some measures need 55% or two-thirds of votes to pass. This one needs only a simple majority.
After approvals, including Coastal Act permits, private vehicles could use the Upper Great Highway Monday 4 a.m.–Friday 6 p.m., except holidays, closing Sunset Dunes Park.
NO
Sunset Dunes Park stays as it is: the former Upper Great Highway stays closed to private vehicles at all times.
To pass: more than half of votes Some measures need 55% or two-thirds of votes to pass. This one needs only a simple majority.
From March 2027, lenders taking commercial, industrial, large residential and similar buildings by foreclosure, or to avoid it, would pay transfer tax on full value.
NO
Lenders taking any property by foreclosure, or to avoid it, would keep the current tax break. Only the price above the debt is taxed.
To pass: more than half of votes Some measures need 55% or two-thirds of votes to pass. This one needs only a simple majority.
Bay Area region
1 measure · Voters in several Bay Area counties see this.
The state could borrow $11.25 billion through bonds (repaid with interest): $10 billion for housing programs, mostly rentals, and $1.25 billion for veterans' home loans.
NO
The state could not borrow this $11.25 billion, and would not pay $500 million to $600 million yearly to repay its $10 billion housing part.
To pass: more than half of votes Some measures need 55% or two-thirds of votes to pass. This one needs only a simple majority.
Rainy day fund deposits continue until 20% of General Fund taxes (not 10%) and skip the spending limit until withdrawn. Extra debt payments through 2040.
NO
Rainy day fund deposits continue until 10% of General Fund taxes and count toward the spending limit. Extra debt payments become optional after 2030.
To pass: more than half of votes Some measures need 55% or two-thirds of votes to pass. This one needs only a simple majority.
Top rates of 10.3% to 12.3% on income over about $371,000 single ($742,000 joint; 2025 levels, inflation-adjusted) stay, instead of dropping to 9.3% after 2030.
NO
After 2030, the rate on income over about $371,000 single ($742,000 joint; 2025 levels, inflation-adjusted) drops to 9.3%, from 10.3% to 12.3% today.
To pass: more than half of votes Some measures need 55% or two-thirds of votes to pass. This one needs only a simple majority.
State and local governments could create public funding programs for candidates' campaigns, within rules the measure sets. Maximum fines for foreign campaign contributions triple.
NO
The ban on public money for most state and local campaigns stays. Charter cities like San Francisco keep their programs. Foreign-contribution fines don't change.
To pass: more than half of votes Some measures need 55% or two-thirds of votes to pass. This one needs only a simple majority.
Recalls decide only removal; appointment, later election or the Lieutenant Governor fills the seat. The official may run in a special election, not be appointed.
NO
Recall ballots keep two questions: whether to remove the official, and who replaces the official if removed. If removed, the second question's winner takes office.
To pass: more than half of votes Some measures need 55% or two-thirds of votes to pass. This one needs only a simple majority.
The state could sell an $8.4 billion bond for immune system research. About half goes to one research institute and half to research grants.
NO
No $8.4 billion bond or $500 million to $600 million yearly repayment (LAO estimate). No institute, grant council or (generally) 20 percent California patient discount.
To pass: more than half of votes Some measures need 55% or two-thirds of votes to pass. This one needs only a simple majority.
California billionaires (residents on January 1, 2026) would pay a one-time 5% state tax on net worth, measured December 31, 2026, mostly for health care.
NO
No one-time tax on net worth. People worth over $1 billion keep paying state income tax as now.
To pass: more than half of votes Some measures need 55% or two-thirds of votes to pass. This one needs only a simple majority.
State taxes enacted after January 1, 2026 that exempt revenues from the spending limit would be nullified. Audits would cover proposed and new special-tax programs.
NO
Some new state tax spending could still be left out of the spending limit. No new audits of special-tax programs would be required.
To pass: more than half of votes Some measures need 55% or two-thirds of votes to pass. This one needs only a simple majority.
New, increased, or extended local special taxes (taxes for a specific purpose) that voters propose would need a two-thirds vote, starting January 1, 2027.
NO
No change. Local special taxes that voters propose could still pass with a majority (over 50%) vote, as recent court decisions have allowed.
To pass: more than half of votes Some measures need 55% or two-thirds of votes to pass. This one needs only a simple majority.
Nonprofit federally qualified health centers must spend at least 90% of revenue on "program services" the Attorney General defines, or pay penalties. Temporary waivers possible.
NO
No new spending minimum or penalty. Clinics now report spending an average of about 80% of revenue on health care, though it varies.
To pass: more than half of votes Some measures need 55% or two-thirds of votes to pass. This one needs only a simple majority.
For "essential" projects (including most housing, transportation, water, health), sets review and lawsuit deadlines; limits required alternatives and court evidence and orders. Optional for applicants.
NO
Current CEQA rules stay. Detailed environmental reports (when needed) must consider multiple alternatives. Courts can stop a whole project if CEQA was not followed correctly.
To pass: more than half of votes Some measures need 55% or two-thirds of votes to pass. This one needs only a simple majority.