We evaluated nearly 20 local and state ballot measures, see our recommendations below. Join us on October 8th to find out the pros and cons of each ballot measure, who’s supporting/opposing them, how they relate to our work, and how we can support or oppose them. REGISTER
We need massive voter turnout to overcome Trump’s threats to corrupt the election and tamper with the US Post Office. Use our resources to talk to your family and friends about voting early and securely. Sign up to get involved in canvassing and phone banking, check out our voting webpage for more information.
Remember to vote all the way down the ballot– this is the best way to have your voice heard! Some key races in San Diego include the race for CA governor, Congressional District 48, San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector, and several Superior Court judge races. SD350 does not endorse candidates, but you can learn more about the candidates on YOUR ballot by searching up your voter information packet here.
IMPORTANT VOTING DATES:
- Week of Oct 5: Mail-in ballots are sent to registered voters. Check your registration here.
- Track the status of your ballot. If you haven’t received by Oct 20, call the Registrar of Voters (858-565-5800) to request another.
- Oct 6: Ballot drop boxes open
- Oct 24: some vote centers open 8 AM-5 PM
- Oct 31: ALL vote centers open 8 AM-5 PM!
- Nov 3: Last day to vote! All polling sites open from 7am to 8pm. Find your location here.
OUR TOP PRIORITIES
Proposition 45: NO
California State Proposition: Vote NO to stop Big Business from gutting the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), weakening a core legal safeguard for environmental protection and community-involved decision making. Imposes impossible timelines for environmental and court reviews, allowing problematic or complex projects to move forward without review or mitigation requirements if timelines aren’t met. Opposed by environmental and labor organizations. CalMatters Summary
Proposition 43: NO
California State Proposition: Vote NO. Would require a nearly insurmountable barrier of a 2/3 supermajority vote to pass new local or state taxes. This would make it significantly harder for communities to fund public transit, climate-resilience projects, and other essential public services, allowing just 1/3 of voters to block investments. Opposed by good governance, environmental, and labor groups. CalMatters Summary
Proposition 39: NO
California State Proposition: Vote NO to protect democracy and ensure that all eligible voters are able to vote, including on important climate issues. This unnecessary, costly measure would require all voters to provide a government-issued I.D., potentially disenfranchising lower-income, disabled, and younger voters, as well as requiring election officials to verify the citizenship of all registered voters. Opposed by good governance organizations. CalMatters Summary
OTHER STATE PROPOSITIONS
Proposition 1: YES..California State Proposition: Vote YES to authorize the state to issue $11.25 billion in bonds to fund affordable housing, homeownership assistance, and veterans’ home loans, as well as. to rehabilitate homes impacted by environmental hazards.CalMatters Summary
Proposition 2: YES – California State Proposition: Vote YES to increase flexibility in state budget reserves to better navigate low-revenue budget years. Our priorities, like transit and environmental protections, are first to go unfunded in bad years. CalMatters Summary
Proposition 3: YES – California State Proposition: Vote YES to extend the current income tax rate on the state’s highest earners to keep funding California’s public schools (including K-12 and Community Colleges), Medi-Cal and essential services for the state’s most vulnerable populations. CalMatters Summary
Proposition 4: YES – California State Proposition: Vote YES to allow the use of public financing of candidates in state and local elections (e.g., matching funds). This will reduce the influence of corporations and billionaires in political campaigns and is already used in some cities across California. CalMatters Summary
Proposition 5: YES – California State Proposition: Vote YES to change state recall elections so voters consider whether to recall an elected official in one election, with a separate, later election to fill the seat. The position’s natural successor would fill in temporarily (replaces the current method where both the recall decision and choosing the new official are held in one election). CalMatters Summary
Proposition 40 “Billionaire’s Tax”: YES .California State Proposition: Vote YES to collect a one-time tax of 5% on the accumulated wealth of the ~200 California billionaires as of 1/1/2026. 90% of revenues would compensate for federal cuts to health care, the rest funding education and food assistance. We recognize the shortcomings – a one-time tax that overly benefits the union that proposed it, which is why some labor and progressive groups oppose it. However, it’s important that billionaires pay their fair share and we hope it inspires other states. CalMatters Summary
Proposition 41: NO – California State Proposition: Vote NO. Would require unnecessary, additional audits of certain state taxes. This measure would limit future efforts to tax ultra-wealthy Californians and would specifically block Prop 40, the “Billionaire Tax”, if it receives more votes. CalMatters Summary
Proposition 42: NO – California State Proposition: Vote NO. Would prohibit state taxes on personal property, including mutual funds, financial assets, and retirement accounts. While this would prohibit taxes on these assets for all, it is primarily aimed at limiting efforts to tax the ultra-wealthy, and would specifically block Prop 40, the “Billionaire Tax”, if it receives more votes. CalMatters Summary
LOCAL COUNTY, CITY, SCHOOL BOARD MEASURES
Measure A: YES – San Diego County Measure: Vote YES to reform the County of San Diego to be more transparent and accountable. It would create an independent ethics commission, Independent Budget Analyst, and Program Auditor, and increase term limits for County Supervisors from 8 to 12 years.
Measure B: YES – San Diego County Measure: Vote YES for a countywide half-cent sales tax to fund: 60% for needed healthcare and childcare, 22.5% for projects to resolve the Tijuana River Crisis, 17.5% for public safety and wildfire prevention. While we support the measure, we would have liked to see more funding and specificity for the TJ river crisis solutions.
Measure M: YES – San Diego Unified School District Measure: Vote YES to issue a $3.5 billion bond for the San Diego Unified School District to fund improvements to SDUSD schools, including the construction of EV charging stations, energy efficient HVAC systems, and installation of LED lights as described in the SDUSD electrification resolution supported by Youth4Climate.
Measure N: YES – Vista Unified School District Measure: Vote YES to issue a $500 million bond for Vista Unified School District to fund critical school improvements like hazardous material removal. Funding would also modernize career technical instruction facilities to build a green, well-paid workforce.
Measure R: YES – City of Oceanside Measure: Vote YES to amend the Oceanside City Charter ensure that skilled local Oceanside workers earn good wages. By conforming with state law, Oceanside will be eligible to continue receiving state grant money for infrastructure. We support Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) and our union allies fighting for workers.
Measure S: NO – City of Oceanside Measure: Vote NO. A 10-year half-cent (0.5%) sales tax, raising Oceanside’s total sales tax rate from 8.25% to 8.75% just 2 years after another sales tax increase. Oceanside has consistently refused to fund climate action solutions, instead funding expensive and temporary fixes, like building a new police headquarters and sand replenishment.