California election 2026: Key races and ballot propositions to watch
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
California voters have some big decisions to make Tuesday, from choosing their next governor to weighing in on a billionaire tax, voter ID requirements and the future of affordable housing.
Why it matters: The election will help shape California's political landscape for years to come, with decisions affecting everything from the cost of living to who represents the state in Washington.
Here's a look at what you're voting on:
🏛️ Governor: Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton are competing to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is leaving office after two terms.
- Becerra, a former California attorney general, served as U.S. health secretary under President Biden.
- Hilton, a former Fox News host, previously advised British Prime Minister David Cameron.
- Both have made affordability a central campaign issue, though they differ on how to address California's high cost of living.
🇺🇸 Congressional races: While all 52 of California's U.S. House seats are up for election, our eyes are on San Francisco, where Supervisor Connie Chan and state Sen. Scott Wiener are vying to succeed former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, putting the city's progressive and moderate political coalitions to the test.
❓Statewide ballot measures: Californians will decide on 14 propositions. Among the most closely watched:
💰 Prop. 40 would impose a one-time 5% tax on billionaires, with most of the revenue going toward health care.
🪪 Prop. 39 would require voters to provide government-issued identification or additional identifying information when casting ballots.
🏠 Prop. 1 would authorize $11.25 billion in bonds to support affordable housing, including housing for veterans.
💵 Prop. 3 would make an existing income tax increase on high earners permanent, preserving funding for schools and health care.
🏗️ Prop. 45 would speed up environmental reviews for certain housing and infrastructure projects.
Friction point: Props. 41 and 42 could complicate the proposed billionaire tax by restricting certain new state taxes.
- Find a breakdown of all 14 state measures in CalMatters' voter guide here.
📍 San Francisco: Local voters will weigh in on 10 local ballot propositions and supervisor races that could reshape City Hall.
- Among the biggest questions are whether to raise taxes to help fund Muni, reopen Sunset Dunes to cars on weekdays and change how city government operates.
- Five Board of Supervisors seats are also on the ballot, with implications for the balance of power between the city's political factions.
- Find more information on local races in our voter guide here.
What's next: Voters have until 8pm today to return their ballots.