The ballot includes proposals on wealth taxes, affordable housing, state budget reserves, election rules, homeownership, medical research and environmental regulations.
Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton are competing to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is barred by term limits from seeking another term.
Hilton is a former Fox News host who served as an adviser to former British Prime Minister David Cameron. Hilton has been formally endorsed in the race by President Trump.
Becerra and Hilton have differed in their approaches to lowering the state's gas prices, California's environmental policies, homelessness, healthcare and collaborating with the federal government on immigration.
Lieutenant governor
The lieutenant governor is first in the line of succession to the governor and serves in several state government roles, including as president of the state Senate, casting tie-breaking votes when necessary. The officeholder also serves on boards overseeing higher education.
Bonta, a Democrat, is seeking a second full term. Gates, a former Huntington Beach city attorney, has campaigned on public safety, including full enforcement of Proposition 36.
Gates served as Huntington Beach's elected city attorney for a decade and in 2025 worked in the Trump administration for the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. His campaign calls for stronger prosecution of repeat offenders, increased support for law enforcement and greater local control over housing decisions.
Secretary of State
The secretary of state is California's chief elections officer, responsible for overseeing statewide elections, maintaining election-related records and administering campaign finance and lobbying disclosure requirements. The office also handles business filings and other official state records.
Democrats Jane Kim, a former San Francisco supervisor, and state Sen. Ben Allen are competing to become California's next insurance commissioner. The office is responsible for regulating the state's insurance industry, enforcing insurance laws and addressing consumer complaints.
The candidates have offered different approaches to addressing the insurance market, including questions about affordability, consumer protections and the availability of coverage.
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Richard Barrera and Sonja Shaw are competing to become California's next superintendent of public instruction, succeeding Tony Thurmond, who reached his term limit.
Barrera is board president of the San Diego Unified School District, the nation's second-largest district, and has been endorsed by Thurmond. Shaw is a Chino Valley school board president who has been endorsed by Hilton and the Republican Party.
Barrerra has touted his district's gains in graduation rates and various academic levels and said he looks forward to improving similar advancements across the state, if elected.
California voters will elect members of the State Board of Equalization, which oversees certain tax programs and provides property tax oversight and assistance to county assessors. It is the only board of its kind in the nation.
Proposition 1: Authorizes $11.25 billion in bonds for housing affordability programs
Proposition 1 would authorize the state to borrow $11.25 billion for housing programs, including affordable rental housing, supportive housing, homeownership and down-payment assistance, veterans' home loans, and housing for farmworkers, tribal communities and students.
A yes vote would allow the state to issue the bonds. A no vote would prevent the borrowing.
Proposition 2 would change the rules around California's state budget reserves and payments toward certain debts, increasing the amount held in the state's rainy day fund.
A yes vote would change how the state saves money and pays down debt, resulting in higher reserves and requiring additional debt payments for a longer period. A no vote would leave the existing rules in place.
Proposition 3: Makes a high-income tax increase permanent to fund schools and healthcare
Proposition 3 would make permanent an existing increase in state income tax rates for high-income earners. The tax applies to individuals earning more than a threshold initially set at $371,000 and adjusted annually for inflation.
A yes vote would make the tax increase permanent. A no vote would allow it to expire in 2031 under current law.
Proposition 4 would repeal California's ban on state and local governments providing public funding for political campaigns.
A yes vote would allow state and local governments to create qualifying public financing programs. A no vote would leave the existing ban in place.
Proposition 5: Changes the process for filling vacancies after statewide recall elections
Proposition 5 would change how California fills vacancies when voters recall a statewide elected official.
A yes vote would remove the replacement candidate question from recall elections. A no vote would preserve the current process.
Proposition 37 would authorize up to $25 billion in revenue bonds to fund a state homebuying assistance program for eligible middle-income Californians purchasing newly built homes.
A yes vote would establish the program and authorize the bonds. A no vote would prevent the state from being required to create it.
No formal opposition argument was submitted against the measure, though at least one critic, the League of Women Voters, has said Proposition 37 would fail to confront racial barriers to wealth-building and lower overall costs for families.
Proposition 38: Authorizes bonds for immunology medical research
The measure comes in wake of billions of dollars worth of federal funding cuts for medical research at medical facilities and universities.
A yes vote would authorize the bonds and the associated research funding. A no vote would prevent the state from issuing bonds for the proposed program.
The measure would prohibit citizens from voting in elections unless they present government-issued identification that matches their voter registration. The measure also includes requirements for election officials related to verifying citizenship.
Supporters say the measure would strengthen election security and increase public confidence in voting. Opponents argue that the requirements could create barriers for eligible voters who lack the required documents and that existing safeguards already protect election integrity.
Proposition 40: Imposes a one-time wealth tax on billionaires
The measure has become a major point of debate over how California should raise money for public services and how much of the tax burden should fall on the state's wealthiest residents.
Supporters, including the California Democratic Party and SEIU Healthcare Workers West, say the tax would help offset federal healthcare funding cuts enacted in 2025 under H.R. 1, known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." They argue that billionaires who have benefited from California's economy should contribute more to help protect hospitals, clinics and Medi-Cal services.
A yes vote would enact the proposed tax. A no vote would reject it.
A yes vote would establish the proposed restrictions and auditing requirements. A no vote would leave the existing rules in place.
If both Proposition 40 and Proposition 41 pass, Proposition 40 could be invalidated if Proposition 41 wins more votes.
Proposition 42: Prohibits new state personal property taxes and certain retroactive taxes
A yes vote would establish the proposed tax restrictions. A no vote would leave existing law unchanged.
Like Proposition 41, Proposition 42 was placed on the ballot by opponents of Proposition 40 and would invalidate the wealth tax measure if both pass and Prop. 42 receives more votes.
Currently, some special taxes proposed by citizen initiatives can be approved with a simple majority.
Supporters say the measure would protect taxpayers by requiring a higher level of voter support for local tax increases. Opponents argue that it would make it harder for communities to fund services such as transportation, housing, public safety and other local priorities.
Proposition 44: Requires community health clinics to spend 90% of revenue on program services
The measure targets federally funded community health centers and seeks to establish a minimum share of revenue that must go toward services rather than other expenses.
Supporters say the measure would ensure more money goes directly toward patient care and community health services. Opponents raise concerns about imposing a rigid spending threshold on clinics that face different operating costs and financial needs.
Proposition 45: Modifies environmental review for certain projects
The measure is intended to change how qualifying projects, which are deemed "essential," move through the environmental review process, a system that can affect the cost and timeline of housing and infrastructure development. Essential projects include but are not limited to housing, healthcare facilities, clean energy, police and fire stations, and education facilities.
Supporters say changes could reduce delays and costs for qualifying projects. Opponents argue that changes to environmental review could weaken protections for communities and the environment.
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