Starting Jan 1, 2027, all local special taxes, including new taxes, increases and renewals, need two-thirds voter approval, no matter who put them on the ballot. Citizens also couldn't use initiatives to create property-value-based taxes beyond what the constitution already allows.
Proposition 43 · California · Nov 3, 2026
Local special-tax approval threshold
Official title: Limits Voters’ Ability to Raise Revenues for Local Government Services. Legislative Constitutional Amendment.
Raises the approval threshold for voter-initiated local special taxes from a majority to two-thirds beginning in 2027.
At a glance
Tax rule change (local)- Does it raise taxes?
- Makes local tax increases harder: local special taxes would need two-thirds voter approval, even when placed on the ballot by citizens (now a simple majority), starting Jan 1, 2027.
- Estimated cost or revenue
- Local governments may collect less in the future; amount unknown.
- Who pays
- Not applicable (sets approval threshold).
- Where the money goes
- Not yet verified
- How long
- Not yet verified
From the official voter guide and the state’s fiscal analysis. Estimates are the state’s, not ours.
Your choice
Saved privately on this device.What your vote does
Citizen-initiated local special taxes keep needing a simple majority; those placed by local governments still need two-thirds.
How the money works
TypeTax rule change (local)
Cost, who pays and where the money goes are in “At a glance” above.
What your guides say
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Why they disagree
Closes a court-created loophole and protects homeowners, renters and small businesses from big tax increases.
Official ballot argument for (summary)Makes it harder to fund schools, roads, housing and public safety, and lets one-third of voters block what nearly two-thirds support.
Official ballot argument against (summary)Who’s funding it
We haven’t loaded campaign-finance filings for Proposition 43 yet. You can look them up directly:
Sources
- California Secretary of State
Proposition 43: Official Voter Information Guide · Official title, summary, vote effects and fiscal impact
Checked Oct 31, 2026 - Easy Voter Guide (League of Women Voters of California Education Fund)
Easy Voter Guide, November 3, 2026 · State propositions
Checked Nov 1, 2026