ACLU of Southern California Proposition Endorsements for 2026 Election

LOS ANGELES — The ACLU of Southern California released its 2026 Voter Guide, endorsing Yes on Propositions 1, 3, 4, and 40 and No on Propositions 39, 41, 42, 43, and 45 for the election on November 3, 2026. The ACLU SoCal also endorses Yes on Measure E on the ballot in Los Angeles County.

“This November, California voters will make fundamental decisions about the future of our state and the strength of our democracy,” said Chandra S. Bhatnagar, executive director of the ACLU of Southern California. “With the fifth largest economy in the world, public investments in education, affordable housing, healthcare and other fundamental human rights are essential. How we raise that money — and ensuring that those with the greatest resources pay their fair share— has tangible consequences for advancing economic justice and civil rights in our communities."

Here’s a summary of the ACLU SoCal’s recommendations in numeral order, plus the measure:

• YES on Prop 1 that would authorize an $11.25 billion bond to build and preserve affordable homes and expand homeownership opportunities.
• YES on Prop 3 that would make an existing tax on California’s highest-income earners permanent, preserving $15 billion each year that currently funds public education and healthcare.
• YES on Prop 4 that would repeal California’s ban on public financing of campaigns, allowing the state to create systems that reduce the influence of wealthy donors and expand opportunities for candidates from all backgrounds.
• YES on Prop 40 that would create a one-time 5 percent wealth tax on California billionaires to protect essential services for low-income communities.
• NO on Prop 39 that would require voters to present a government-issued identification card for in-person voting and add a personal ID number on vote-by-mail envelopes. The measure is unclear on which kinds of ID would be accepted, creating an unnecessary barrier to the democratic process that will deny eligible voters access to the polls.
• NO on Prop 41 that would create new constitutional requirements for statewide special taxes that could delay ballot measures and make it harder to fund voter-approved priorities like healthcare, education and other essential public services.
• NO on Prop 42 that would permanently ban new state taxes on financial assets and other personal property, limiting options available to future voters and lawmakers to respond to crises, protect essential services and invest in our communities.
• NO on Prop 43 that would require two-thirds voter-approval for local revenue measures that voters themselves put on the ballot.
• NO on Prop 45 that narrows the window for affected communities to review projects and raise concerns across housing, transportation, water, health, and energy projects.
• YES on Measure E that would provide greater independence and structure for the County of Los Angeles Ethics Commission, Office of Ethics Compliance, and Ethics Compliance Officer promised by 2024’s Measure G

Ballots are mailed to all active registered voters no later than Monday, October 5. Ballots can be returned by mail or to official ballot drop boxes starting October 5.

Read the ACLU SoCal 2026 Voter Guide: https://www.aclusocal.org/aclu-socal-2026-voter-guide/