Public development preview: Proposition data is provisional and will be updated as we get closer to the November 2026 election.
MAD PROPS

California is set to have 20 ballot props this year.

Welcome to Mad Props, a ballot guide that won't make you go insane.

PROP 1 ALLOWS FOR PUBLIC CAMPAIGN FUNDING

Repeals 1988 ban on public campaign financing; allows state and local governments to offer public funding programs.

Elections

PROP 2 FORCES OPENAI TO RE-CONVERT BACK INTO A NON-PROFIT

Establishes protections for charitable organization assets and donor intent.

Nonprofits

PROP 3 MAKES IT HARDER TO RAISE TAXES VIA BALLOT PROPOSITION

Raises vote threshold for local special taxes from 50% to two-thirds and overturns non-compliant property taxes.

Taxes

PROP 4 IMPOSES A BILLIONAIRE TAX

One-time 5% tax on assets over $1B; 90% to healthcare, 10% to food/education programs.

Taxes

PROP 5 LIMITS COMPENSATION FOR HEALTHCARE EXECUTIVES

Caps hospital/medical executive compensation at $450,000 annually with penalties for violations.

Healthcare

PROP 6 CREATES SAFEGUARDS FOR CHATBOTS

Establishes safety regulations for AI companion and chatbot applications.

Technology

PROP 7 BANS SMARTPHONES IN SCHOOLS

Requires AI risk assessments for products used by children; bans student smartphones at school.

Technology

PROP 8 ROLLS BACK SOME CEQA REQUIREMENTS

Expedites CEQA review for housing, transportation, water, and clean energy projects with lawsuit limits.

Environment

PROP 9 RESTRICTS POLITICAL SPENDING BY HEALTHCARE UNIONS

Limits healthcare union political spending on ballot measures without member consent; imposes penalties.

Labor

PROP 10 AUTHORIZES $8.4 BILLION FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY RESEARCH

Authorizes $8.4B in bonds for immunology/immunotherapy research; half for cancer, heart, Alzheimer's.

Healthcare

PROP 11 CREATES A VOTER ID LAW IN CALIFORNIA

Requires government ID at polls, ID number for mail voting, and annual citizenship verification reporting.

Elections

PROP 12 ASKS IF CALIFORNIA SHOULD SECEDE FROM THE U.S. IN 2028

Places Calexit question on 2028 ballot; if 50%+ turnout and 55%+ yes, expresses will to become independent.

Government

PROP 13 HOLDS RIDESHARE COMPANIES LIABLE FOR SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

Holds rideshare companies liable for sexual misconduct; requires fingerprinting and incident reporting.

Transportation

PROP 14 ELIMINATES SNAP ELECTIONS AFTER RE-CALLS

Eliminates successor elections in recalls; Lt. Governor becomes Governor if Governor recalled; office otherwise stays vacant.

Elections

PROP 15 REQUIRES CHANGES TO VOTING THRESHOLDS TO PASS BY THE SAME MARGIN

Requires initiatives raising voter thresholds to pass by that same threshold; allows advisory questions on local ballots.

Elections

PROP 16 HOLDS RIDESHARE COMPANIES LIABLE FOR PASSENGER INJURIES

Classifies rideshare as common carriers; holds companies liable for driver negligence.

Transportation

PROP 17 DENOUNCES TRUMP IF HE RUNS FOR A THIRD TERM

Mandates CA sue and refuse to recognize a president who violates 22nd Amendment term limits.

Government

PROP 18 RE-INSTATES TAX EXEMPTION FOR INHERITED HOMES

Reinstates pre-Prop 19 property tax exemptions for family transfers including inherited homes.

Taxes

PROP 19 LIMITS CLAIMS VICTIMS CAN MAKE AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT

Caps attorney contingency fees so victims retain 75%+ of recovery; limits medical expense claims.

Legal

PROP 20 CREATES LOAN PROGRAM FOR MIDDLE CLASS HOME BUYERS

Authorizes $25B in bonds for fixed-rate mortgages covering up to 17% of new home purchase prices.

Housing