Su voto es oro.
We vote for the present and our future.
Our 2026 Voter Guide
This November, the decisions on your ballot will shape our neighborhoods for years to come.
Latinas/os are the heart of LA County. We’re the largest group in 48 of its 88 cities, 62.5% of K-12 students, and more than 40% of the workforce. When our community thrives, all of LA thrives.
Our voter guide explains each statewide proposition: what it does, how it could affect our communities, and what a YES or NO vote means. For recommendations, visit Somos el Voto, the Alliance for a Better Community Action Fund.
The full voter guide is live on Instagram. Follow, save, and share it! Or scroll down for a quick look at each proposition.
Make a Plan to Vote
Don’t forget these important dates! Whether you vote by mail, early, or on Election Day, every vote counts.
Did you know? In LA County, you can vote at any vote center, not just the one closest to home. Vote near work, near school, or wherever works for you.
Our 2026 Voter Guide
State Propositions
Prop 1
Veteran and Housing Assistance Programs Bond Measure
Allows California to borrow $11.25 billion for affordable rental housing, homeownership, farmworker housing, student housing, housing infrastructure, and other housing programs.
“NO” Vote
Would leave the state without new bond funding for housing programs.
“YES” Vote
Would authorize the $11.25 billion bond, giving the state new resources to address housing needs.
Impact to Latinas/os
Housing affordability is a major challenge for Latina/o families. About 55% of Latina/o renter households spend more than 30% of their income on housing, compared with about 49% of California renters overall.
Previous state housing bond funding approved by voters in 2018 was fully committed within five years. Major affordable housing programs remain oversubscribed, while thousands of affordable homes are waiting for funding to move forward.
Prop 2
Budget Stabilization Account Cap Increase
Allows California to increase the “rainy day fund” from 10% to 20% of General Fund revenues. The fund is used to help maintain essential services when the economy slows or state revenues decline.
“NO” Vote
Would keep the current 10% cap on the state’s rainy day fund, leaving more revenue for current investments and programs.
“YES” Vote
Would allow California to build a larger rainy day fund, giving the state more financial protection during future economic downturns.
Impact to Latinas/os
A larger reserve could help California avoid sudden cuts to education, healthcare, housing, and social services during an economic downturn. These cuts can have a greater impact on lower-income families and communities of color.
The measure could also mean less money is available for immediate investments during years when the state has strong revenues.
Prop 3
Renew State Income Tax Increase for Education Funding Initiative
Makes California’s existing state income tax on the top 2% of highest-income earners permanent. The measure does not raise taxes, but removes the tax’s 2031 expiration date.
The revenue would continue to support the state’s General Fund by helping meet the TK-14 funding requirement and frees up revenue for other programs and services. Since the tax’s passage in 2012, these higher tax rates have generated around $120 billion for schools and other essential services.
“NO” Vote
Would allow the existing tax on the top 2% of highest income earners in CA to expire in 2031. California would lose this dedicated source of education revenue, reducing significantly the amount of funding available for public schools and community colleges.
“YES” Vote
Makes the existing state income tax on the top 2% of highest-income earners in CA permanent, protecting a critical source of funding that serves as a lifeline for many school districts and community colleges.
Impact to Latinas/os
Approximately 56% of California’s K-12 students are Latina/o, making stable public education funding especially important to Latina/o families.
Latina/os make up approximately 41% of California’s population and rely on programs supported by this revenue, including healthcare, food assistance, education, and other essential services.
Prop 4
Allow Public Financing of Election Campaigns Measure
Allows the state and local governments to create programs that help community candidates run for office without relying as heavily on large private donations. The measure does not require local governments to create the programs; it gives them the option to do so.
“NO” Vote
Would keep the current ban on public financing for state and local campaigns, limiting options for community candidates to access public campaign funding.
“YES” Vote
Would allow the state and local governments the option to fund candidates through public campaign programs, creating another path for community candidates to run for office.
Impact to Latinas/os
Latina/os remain underrepresented in elected office compared with their share of California’s population.
Public financing could give more candidates, including candidates from historically underrepresented communities, an opportunity to run for office and compete for voters.
Prop 5
Eliminate State Officer Recall Successor Elections Amendment
Would change the current recall process, where voters decide 1) whether to remove an official and 2) their replacement. Instead, voters would decide only whether to recall the official, with a replacement chosen later through the state’s process for filling vacant offices.
“NO” Vote
Would keep the current system.
“YES” Vote
Would remove the replacement candidate election from the recall ballot, allowing voters more time to consider who should fill the position.
Impact to Latinas/os
If a statewide official is recalled, separating the recall vote from the election of a replacement would give voters more time to learn about candidates and make an informed choice.
Prop 37
Second Mortgage Homebuyer Program and Revenue Bond Initiative
Creates a $25 billion state bond program to help eligible CA residents buy a home. Buyers would put down at least 3% and could receive a loan of up to 17% to help reach a 20% down payment on a newly constructed home. The loan would be paid back to the state as a second mortgage, allowing the funds to be reused to help future homebuyers.
“NO” Vote
Would not create a new state homebuyer assistance program or authorize the $25 billion bond.
“YES” Vote
Creates the new homebuyer assistance program, helping eligible Californians purchase a newly constructed home with less money upfront.
Impact to Latinas/os
Latina/o households make up 30.4% of California households but account for 25.7% of homeowners, reflecting a persistent homeownership gap.
Recent CalHFA data also shows strong demand for state down payment assistance, with Latina/o applicants making up 39.2% of applicants and 40.8% of awards through the Dream For All program.
Prop 38
Immunology and Immunotherapy Research Funding Initiative
Allows California to borrow $8.4 billion to fund research on the immune system to prevent and treat diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s. Half would go to one UC-affiliated research institute, with the rest awarded through competitive grants.
“NO” Vote
Keeps the state from borrowing $8.4 billion for this research.
“YES” Vote
Would allow the state to take on $8.4 billion in new debt to fund immunology and immunotherapy research at California universities and research institutions.
Impact to Latinas/os
Latina/o adults are about 1.5 times more likely than non-Latina/o White adults to develop Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.
The measure funds medical research rather than directly expanding healthcare coverage, access, or affordability. Its impact on Latina/o communities would depend on whether future research leads to treatments that are affordable and accessible.
Prop 39
Voter Identification and Citizenship Verification
Prohibits in-person voting without presenting government-issued identification. Rejects mail ballots without the last four digits of a government-issued ID written on the envelope and requires citizenship verification using new and expensive election administration and auditing requirements.
“NO” Vote
A voter’s identity would continue to be established with the voter’s signature.
“YES” Vote
Adds new identification requirements making it harder for eligible voters to cast their ballots.
Impact to Latinas/os
New identification and verification requirements would create additional challenges for eligible Latina/o voters, particularly those who may have difficulty obtaining government-issued identification.
Naturalized citizens and voters with differences in their records will also face additional steps to verify their eligibility.
Community organizations may need to devote more time and resources to voter education and assistance, potentially shifting capacity away from broader civic engagement efforts.
Prop 40
One-Time Wealth Tax for State-Funded Healthcare, Education, and Food Assistance Programs
Creates a one-time 5% tax on billionaires and certain trusts, with most of the money raised going towards health care.
“NO” Vote
Rejects the one-time 5% wealth tax and its proposed use of revenue.
“YES” Vote
Creates the one-time 5% wealth tax and directs the revenue mainly towards filling healthcare funding gaps.
Impact to Latinas/os
Prop. 40 could provide significant funding for programs widely used by Latina/o families, who make up about 52% of Medi-Cal enrollees.
However, because the tax is collected only once, it would not provide a permanent source of funding for programs facing ongoing costs and federal funding reductions.
Prop 41
Special Tax Audits and State Spending Limits
Requires audits of programs funded by new statewide special taxes and limits when this spending can be excluded from the state’s spending limit. For example, if voters approve a new statewide tax to fund health care, the programs funded by that tax would also be subject to state audits.
“NO” Vote
Keeps the current rules for state audits.
“YES” Vote
Requires new audits of programs funded by special taxes and changes how certain new tax revenue counts toward the state’s spending limit.
Impact to Latinas/os
Prop 41 would make it more difficult to create and sustain dedicated funding for future programs.
Additional limits or requirements on new statewide special taxes could delay funding, reduce available resources, or make it harder for the state to respond to growing needs in communities that have historically faced barriers to healthcare, educational opportunity, and economic stability.
Prop. 40 connection: If both pass, Prop. 41 could prevent Prop. 40 from taking effect if Prop 41 receives more YES votes.
Prop 42
Limits on Future Taxes on Personal Assets
Limits California’s ability to create “wealth” taxes in the future.
“NO” Vote
Keeps California’s ability to consider new wealth and asset-based taxes in the future.
“YES” Vote
Prevents California from creating new wealth and asset-based taxes in the future.
Impact to Latinas/os
Prop 42 would not change current taxes on retirement or investment accounts. Its main effect would be to limit the state’s ability to create new wealth taxes in the future.
This would affect future funding options for healthcare, education, and other public services used by Latina/o families.
Prop. 40 connection: If both pass, Prop. 42 could prevent Prop. 40 from taking effect if Prop 42 receives more YES votes.
Prop 43
Two-Thirds Tax Vote Threshold
Limits voters’ ability to pass voter-proposed local special taxes by increasing the percentage of votes needed to approve such ballot measures from a majority (over 50%) to two-thirds, beginning January 1, 2027.
“NO” Vote
Allows local special taxes to continue passing by simple majority vote, giving communities more flexibility to fund local services and programs.
“YES” Vote
Requires local special taxes to receive two-thirds voter approval to pass, making it harder for communities to fund local services and programs.
Impact to Latinas/os
Prop 43 could make it harder for communities to approve future local funding for schools, affordable housing, transportation, public health, parks, libraries, and other services.
Latina/o communities rely on many of these locally funded services, the impact would depend on the types of measures proposed and whether they receive the higher level of voter support required.
Prop 44
Spending Requirements for Federally Qualified Health Centers
Requires federally qualified community health centers to spend at least 90% of their annual revenue on a limited set of services, significantly reducing funding for other services that support patients and communities.
“NO” Vote
Keeps current rules and clinic flexibility.
“YES” Vote
Limits clinics’ ability to use resources for essential services such as language access, health care enrollment assistance, transportation, and telemedicine, among other services.
Impact to Latinas/os
Latina/o patients make up about 44% of patients served by California’s federally qualified health centers, making them the largest patient group served.
The measure limits a clinic’s ability to use resources for essential services, such as translation and language access, healthcare enrollment assistance, patient transportation, telemedicine, among others.
Prop 45
Expedited Environmental Review for Certain Projects
Amends California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to speed up environmental reviews for housing, transportation, water, and health projects by setting deadlines for reviews and legal challenges.
“NO” Vote
Keeps current environmental review processes, preserving residents’ opportunities to weigh in on projects in their communities.
“YES” Vote
Shortens environmental review and public comment, limits legal challenges, and reduces residents’ ability to weigh in on projects affecting their neighborhoods.
Impact to Latinas/os
About 76% of Latina/o neighborhoods in California are identified as disadvantaged communities affected by environmental burdens.
Shorter review and comment periods could limit residents’ ability to raise concerns about projects that affect their health and neighborhoods.
Our Local Vote Matters
Local elections are about the issues we experience every day, from housing and parks to transportation, public safety, schools, and neighborhood services.
Latina/os are at the heart of Los Angeles County’s electorate. Nearly half of L.A. County’s population is Latina/o, and Latino voters make up 38% of registered voters, more than 2 million people.
That means our voices can play an important role in shaping decisions about our communities. Local ballot measures can determine how our neighborhoods are funded, represented, and supported for years to come.
This guide breaks down key local measures on the November 2026 ballot in plain language, including what they would do and how they could affect Latina/o communities.
Los Angeles City
Charter Amendment EE
Strengthens ethics and oversight rules, increases campaign finance penalties, expands independent investigations, and changes some election and City Council requirements.
“NO” Vote
Keeps the current rules and oversight structure.
“YES” Vote
Approves the proposed ethics, election, and governance changes.
Impact to Latinas/os
Expands language access for City communications and outreach.
Strengthens independent oversight of law enforcement and emergency services.
Initiative Ordinance FD
Adds a 0.5% sales tax to fund the Los Angeles Fire Department, including firefighters, paramedics, equipment, fire stations, and brush clearance.
“NO” Vote
Does not approve the new sales tax.
“YES” Vote
Approves the 0.5% sales tax for LAFD.
Impact to Latinas/os
Sales taxes can place a greater burden on low-income households, including many Latina/o families.
More fire and emergency resources could improve safety in communities facing greater climate and industrial risks.
Charter Amendment LA
Moves the City to a two-year budget cycle, creates a long-term infrastructure plan, and gives the Public Works Director more authority over contracts and city property.
“NO” Vote
Keeps the current budget cycle and Public Works structure.
“YES” Vote
Approves these changes to City government.
Impact to Latinas/os
Could affect infrastructure investments in historically underinvested, often Latina/o-majority neighborhoods.
Impact will depend on future funding and implementation decisions.
Charter Amendment PL
Replaces Los Angeles’ seven regional Area Planning Commissions with one citywide Neighborhood Appeals Commission and gives the Planning Department more authority over land-use decisions.
“NO” Vote
Keeps the current regional appeals structure and existing Charter protections.
“YES” Vote
Creates one citywide appeals commission and changes how planning decisions are reviewed.
Impact to Latinas/os
Latina/os make up roughly 56% of renters in Los Angeles County. Changes to the planning and appeals process could affect development, housing, and displacement in neighborhoods across the city.
The measure would centralize decision-making and move some planning rules out of the City Charter, making them easier to change in the future.
Charter Amendment PRK
Gradually doubles the City’s minimum guaranteed budget for Recreation and Parks over 10 years. Up to one-third of the funding could be suspended during a fiscal emergency.
“NO” Vote
Keeps the current minimum funding level.
“YES” Vote
Gradually increases guaranteed funding for LA’s parks and recreation programs.
Impact to Latinas/os
LA’s park system ranks 93rd out of the 100 most populous U.S. cities in park access and quality.
Increased funding could support recreation centers, pools, park maintenance, and open spaces, particularly benefiting communities with fewer green spaces.
Parks provide important spaces for recreation, health, and community connection.
Charter Amendment PRT
Changes how the City manages LAX, Van Nuys Airport, LADWP, and the Port, including longer leases, representation on Airport Commissions, workforce impact disclosures, and funding for waterfront public access.
“NO” Vote
Keeps the current Charter rules governing these departments.
“YES” Vote
Approves the proposed changes to the City’s departments.
Impact to Latinas/os
Workforce impact disclosures could provide more information about how Port agreements affect local jobs.
Airport Commission seats would be restricted to people living in designated areas around LAX and Van Nuys Airport.
Waterfront funding could expand access to public spaces and green spaces.
Charter Amendment SC
Clarifies campaign finance rules for LAUSD Board of Education candidates by generally applying the same rules used for mayoral candidates and allowing the City to make future changes by ordinance.
“NO” Vote
Keeps the current Charter provisions governing LAUSD Board campaign finance.
“YES” Vote
Applies the updated campaign finance framework to Board of Education candidates.
Impact to Latinas/os
Latina/o students make up about 73% of LAUSD enrollment, making school board elections important for representation and education leadership.
More consistent campaign finance rules could improve transparency and make it easier for voters to understand how school board campaigns are funded.
Proposition TE
Exempts qualifying Palisades Fire survivors from the Measure ULA “mansion tax” when selling fire-damaged or destroyed homes, retroactive to January 7, 2025, through 2030.
“NO” Vote
Qualifying fire-related property sales would remain subject to the Measure ULA tax.
“YES” Vote
Fire survivors could receive the five-year tax exemption.
Impact to Latinas/os
Could reduce funding for affordable housing and homelessness prevention programs.
Reduced funding into Measure ULA could affect low-income Latina/o residents who rely on housing assistance funded by the Measure.
Los Angeles County
Measure A: Binding Arbitration
Creates an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process where disputing parties present their case to a neutral third-party arbitrator instead of going to a judge or jury in court. The change would apply to contract disputes between the County and certain public safety employee unions, including disputes over pay and working conditions.
“NO” Vote
Keeps the current process for resolving these labor disputes.
“YES” Vote
Creates a three-member arbitration panel to make final decisions when covered labor negotiations reach an impasse.
Impact to Latinas/os
Could indirectly affect County services and budgets through changes to public safety labor contracts.
Measure E: Ethics Commission Enshrinement
Makes the County Ethics Commission a permanent part of the County Charter and protects Care First funding for alternatives to incarceration and community-based services.
“NO” Vote
Does not make these changes to the County Charter.
“YES” Vote
Permanently establishes the Ethics Commission and protects the County’s ability to fund Care First investments.
Impact to Latinas/os
Latina/os make up nearly half of L.A. County’s population and are among the communities served by County-funded programs.
Protecting Care First funding would help preserve investments in affordable housing, behavioral health, youth development, and other community services.
An independent Ethics Commission would provide greater oversight of County government and spending.
City of Whittier
Whittier Measure EV: Move City Council Elections to November
Moves Whittier City Council elections from April to November, aligning local elections with the statewide general election.
“NO” Vote
Keeps the current April election schedule.
“YES” Vote
Moves City Council elections to November, alongside statewide and federal elections.
Impact to Latinas/os
Could increase participation among Latina/o voters by holding local elections alongside major state and federal races.
Could reduce city election costs by eliminating separate April elections.
Higher turnout could help local government better reflect the broader community.
Whittier Measure EL: 12-Year Term Limits
Amends the City Charter to limit a person’s combined service as mayor and City Council member to 12 years.
“NO” Vote
Keeps the current system without term limits for the mayor or City Council members.
“YES” Vote
Establishes a 12-year limit on combined service as mayor and City Council member, subject to the measure’s provisions.
Impact to Latinas/os
Could create opportunities for new candidates and community members to seek elected office.
Could increase leadership turnover while limiting how long experienced elected officials can serve.
¡Llegaste! You made it to the end!
Muchas gracias for taking the time to learn about what’s on your ballot. That’s what it looks like to show up for your community.
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