Know Before You Vote: Propositions 4-5
Your Guide to California’s November 3 Ballot Propositions
In a series of articles over the next three months, Engage Tuolumne will publish information about the 14 Propositions appearing on the November 3 ballot.
Proposition 4: Repeals Prohibition Against Public Funding of Election Campaigns. Legislative Statute
What it does
- Repeals the current law that prohibits state and local governments from using public funds for election campaigns except in charter cities and counties.
- Allows state and local governments to establish public campaign financing programs for candidates who agree to specified spending limits and who meet eligibility criteria.
- Prohibits these public funding programs from using funds earmarked for education, transportation, or public safety.
- Prohibits candidates from using public funds for legal defense costs, fines, or repayment of personal loans to campaigns.
- Triples the maximum fine for campaign contributions by foreign entities.
What it does not do
- Does not automatically create a statewide public financing system.
- Does not require candidates to participate.
- Does not eliminate private campaign contributions.
Arguments in favor
- Encourages candidates without wealthy donors.
- May reduce special-interest influence.
- Diversifies the field of candidates, giving voters more choice.
- Allows candidates to focus more on voter appeal instead of donor appeal.
A YES vote means repealing the 1988 ban on public campaign financing and allowing state and local governments to create programs that provide candidates with public funds under spending limits and eligibility rules.
Arguments against
- Uses public funds for campaign financing.
- Its effectiveness is debatable.
A NO vote means preserving the ban on using public funds for election campaigns, keeping the prohibition in place with the existing exemption for charter cities.
Who supports it?
- California Democratic Party
- California Working Families Party
- ACLU of California
- California Clean Money Action Fund
- California Common Cause
- End Citizens United
- League of Women Voters of California
- Represent.Us
- Consumer Watchdog
Who opposes it?
- California Taxpayers Association
- Reform California
Sources
- “Qualified Statewide Ballot Measures,” California Secretary of State.
- “California Proposition 4, Allow Public Financing of Election Campaigns Measure (2026),” Ballotpedia.
Proposition 5: Changes Recall Election Process for Statewide Officers. Legislative Constitutional Amendment.
What it does
- Changes California’s recall process for statewide elected officials by holding a separate election for the seat of a recalled official rather than choosing a potential replacement on the same ballot as the recall, which is now the case.
- An exception: If the Governor is recalled, the Lieutenant Governor becomes Governor for the remainder of the term or until a successor is elected.
- For all other recalled officials, the office will remain vacant until filled by a subsequent special election or appointment as specified in existing law.
- A recalled official may run in a special election to fill the office.
What it does not do
- Does not eliminate recalls.
- Does not make recalling officials easier or harder.
- Does not affect local recall rules.
Arguments in favor
- Creates a clearer election process.
- Ensures voters elect successors separately.
A YES vote means eliminating the simultaneous election of a successor when a state official is recalled, allowing a recalled officer to run again for the same office at a special election, and authorizing the Lieutenant Governor to fill a gubernatorial vacancy until the term expires, with exceptions.
Please put Arguments Against and A No Vote in a box.
Arguments against
- Could require an additional statewide election.
- May increase election costs.
A NO vote maintains the requirement that a simultaneous election to fill a statewide office vacancy be held at the time of the recall election. The current recall system stays in place.
Who supports it?
- Democratic Party of California
- California Common Cause
- League of Women Voters of California
Who opposes it?
- Election Integrity Project California, Inc.
- Reform California
Sources
- “Qualified Statewide Ballot Measures,” California Secretary of State.
- “California Proposition 5, Eliminate State Officer Recall Successor Elections Amendment (2026).” Ballotpedia