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Follow The Money

California ballot measures, 2026

One committee supplied 51% of the $773M raised to fight over California's propositions.

Building a Better California gave $393M to campaigns on 6 measures (Props. 1, 37, 40, 41, 42 and 45). Its largest donors are Sergey Brin ($102M), Eric Schmidt ($40M), L. John Doerr, III ($40M), Patrick Collison ($33M) and Vinod Khosla ($13M).

$773M

Raised by proposition committees

28 committees, Jan 1, 2025 to Nov 7, 2026

Calculated

$393M

From Building a Better California

51% of the total, to 6 measures

Calculated

4 of 7

Bigger-money side ahead

measures where both sides raised $1M or more

$203M

Most expensive: Prop. 40

One-time tax on billionaires

Where the money is losingProp. 41 (limit new special taxes): the yes side raised $58M to $34M and is behind, 46%. Prop. 43 (harder rules for local taxes): the yes side raised $17M to $12M and is behind, 43.6%. Prop. 45 (loosen environmental review (ceqa)): the yes side raised $38M to $34M and is behind, 44.6%.

Every measure, by money raised

One scale for every bar. Results are the Secretary of State's count as of November 6, 2026, 5:37 p.m.; they are not final until certified by Dec 11, 2026.
Raised to pass itRaised to defeat it

Prop. 40: One-time tax on billionaires

✗ No ahead, 53.9%

Imposes One-Time Tax On Certain Taxpayers. Initiative Constitutional Amendment And Statute.

Yes
$33MNo
$170M

The no side raised 5.2 times as much. Biggest single donor: Building a Better California, $159M (93% of that side).

Who paid on each side

Yes: $33M

  1. Service Employees International Union, United Healthcare Workers West Nonprofit 501(c)(5)$22M
  2. SEIU United Health Care Workers West Political Issues Committee$7.7M

    Its biggest donors: Service Employees International Union, United Healthcare Workers West Nonprofit 501(c)(5) $531K

  3. SEIU United Healthcare Workers West PAC$2.0M
  4. Saikat Chakrabarti · New Consensus$201K
  5. Ross Boucher$200K
  6. California Labor Federation AFL-CIO$200K

    Its biggest donors: CNA California Nurses Assn (intermediary for unitemized member dues) $177K, AFSCME 3930 UDW United Dom Wkr (intermediary for unitemized member dues) $152K, CSEA School Employees Assoc CA (intermediary for unitemized member dues) $141K

203 donors. Committees: Yes on 40 - Billionaire Tax Now - No on 41 & 42, Sponsored by Service Employees International Union - United Healthcare Workers West ($33M, also works on Prop. 41, 42).

A committee here fought more than one measure, so its money is counted in full on each of them (Prop. 40 included).

No: $170M

  1. Building a Better California$159M

    Its biggest donors: Sergey Brin $102M, Eric Schmidt $40M, L. John Doerr, III $40M

  2. Chris Larsen · Ripple Labs$5.0M
  3. Ripple Labs$5.0M
  4. California Business Roundtable Issues PAC$975K

    Its biggest donors: Peter Thiel $3.0M, Eric Schmidt $2.6M, Kim Degeorge $1.9M

  5. Right Path California Issues PAC$584K

    Its biggest donors: California Business Roundtable Issues PAC $3.6M, Californians for Affordable Insurance, Supporting Ben Allen for Insurance Commissioner 2026 $900K

  6. California Medical Association$100K

13 donors. Committees: No on Prop 40 - Doctors, Teachers, Small Businesses, Working Families and Public Safety Against the Reckless Wealth Tax Experiment ($159M); Golden State Promise - No on Prop 40 ($10M); Californians Against Tax Increases, Sponsored by the California Business Roundtable - No on 40 ($1.1M).

Prop. 42: Ban state taxes on personal property

✓ Yes ahead, 52.6%

Prohibits New State Personal Property Taxes And Certain Retroactive State Taxes. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.

Yes
$159MNo
$34M

The yes side raised 4.7 times as much. Biggest single donor: Building a Better California, $159M (100% of that side).

Who paid on each side

Yes: $159M

  1. Building a Better California$159M

    Its biggest donors: Sergey Brin $102M, Eric Schmidt $40M, L. John Doerr, III $40M

  2. Peace Officers Research Association of California Political Issues Committee (porac Pic)$150K
  3. Reform California With Carl De Maio - Ballot Measure Committee$23K
  4. Reform Local Government PAC$5K

    Its biggest donors: La Playa LLC $49K, CAs To Protect Retirement & Life Savings $45K, Dale Broome $40K

4 donors. Committees: Yes on 42 - Protect Retirement & Life Savings, a Coalition of Retirees, Blue-Collar Workers, Seniors, Veterans, Small Businesses & Taxpayers ($159M).

No: $34M

  1. Service Employees International Union, United Healthcare Workers West Nonprofit 501(c)(5)$22M
  2. SEIU United Health Care Workers West Political Issues Committee$7.7M

    Its biggest donors: Service Employees International Union, United Healthcare Workers West Nonprofit 501(c)(5) $531K

  3. SEIU United Healthcare Workers West PAC$2.0M
  4. Million More Voters, Sponsored by the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO$500K

    Its biggest donors: CNA California Nurses Assn (intermediary for unitemized member dues) $265K, AFSCME 3930 UDW United Dom Wkr (intermediary for unitemized member dues) $229K, CSEA School Employees Assoc CA (intermediary for unitemized member dues) $211K

  5. United Domestic Workers of America Issues PAC$250K
  6. Saikat Chakrabarti · New Consensus$201K

209 donors. Committees: Yes on 40 - Billionaire Tax Now - No on 41 & 42, Sponsored by Service Employees International Union - United Healthcare Workers West ($33M, also works on Prop. 40, 41); Working Families say No to Propositions 41 and 42 sponsored by labor unions ($1.0M, also works on Prop. 41).

A committee here fought more than one measure, so its money is counted in full on each of them (Prop. 42 included).

Prop. 41: Limit new special taxes

✗ No ahead, 54%

Prohibits New State Taxes That Exclude Revenues From State Spending Limit. Requires Audits For New State Special Taxes. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.

Yes
$58MNo
$34M

The yes side raised 1.7 times as much. Biggest single donor: Building a Better California, $58M (100% of that side).

Who paid on each side

Yes: $58M

  1. Building a Better California$58M

    Its biggest donors: Sergey Brin $102M, Eric Schmidt $40M, L. John Doerr, III $40M

  2. Reform California With Carl De Maio - Ballot Measure Committee$22K
  3. Reform Local Government PAC$5K

    Its biggest donors: La Playa LLC $49K, CAs To Protect Retirement & Life Savings $45K, Dale Broome $40K

  4. Mary Strong$100

4 donors. Committees: Yes on 41 - Californians for Transparency and Accountability, a Coalition of Small Businesses, Taxpayers, Good Government Advocates, Accountants and Auditing Experts ($58M).

No: $34M

  1. Service Employees International Union, United Healthcare Workers West Nonprofit 501(c)(5)$22M
  2. SEIU United Health Care Workers West Political Issues Committee$7.7M

    Its biggest donors: Service Employees International Union, United Healthcare Workers West Nonprofit 501(c)(5) $531K

  3. SEIU United Healthcare Workers West PAC$2.0M
  4. Million More Voters, Sponsored by the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO$500K

    Its biggest donors: CNA California Nurses Assn (intermediary for unitemized member dues) $265K, AFSCME 3930 UDW United Dom Wkr (intermediary for unitemized member dues) $229K, CSEA School Employees Assoc CA (intermediary for unitemized member dues) $211K

  5. United Domestic Workers of America Issues PAC$250K
  6. Saikat Chakrabarti · New Consensus$201K

209 donors. Committees: Yes on 40 - Billionaire Tax Now - No on 41 & 42, Sponsored by Service Employees International Union - United Healthcare Workers West ($33M, also works on Prop. 40, 42); Working Families say No to Propositions 41 and 42 sponsored by labor unions ($1.0M, also works on Prop. 42).

A committee here fought more than one measure, so its money is counted in full on each of them (Prop. 41 included).

Prop. 3: Extend the income tax on high earners

✓ Yes ahead, 59.9%

Provides Permanent Funding For Schools And Health Care By Extending Existing Tax On High Incomes. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.

Yes
$81MNo
–

Only the yes side raised $1M or more. Biggest single donor: California Teachers Association / Issues PAC, $61M (75% of that side).

Who paid on each side

Yes: $81M

  1. California Teachers Association / Issues PAC$61M

    Its biggest donors: California Teachers Association $40M

  2. National Education Association (MPO)$7.5M

    Its biggest donors: National Education Association $7.5M

  3. California Federation of Teachers COPE Prop/Ballot Committee$1.9M

    Its biggest donors: United Educators of San Francisco (Unitemized Member Contributions) $202K, Los Angeles College Faculty Guild (Unitemized Member Contributions) $189K, United Educators of San Francisco (Unitemized Member Dues) $179K

  4. PACE of California School Employees Association Issues$1.6M
  5. SEIU California State Council for Working People$1.5M
  6. No on 39 - Block Election Rigging Sponsored by Nurses, Teachers, and Nonprofit Labor and Community Health Clinic Organizations$1.1M

39 donors. Committees: Yes on Prop 3, sponsored by education and labor organizations ($79M); Communities for an Affordable California Yes on 3, No on 39, and 43 Sponsored by Million Voters Project Action Fund ($1.9M, also works on Prop. 39, 43).

A committee here fought more than one measure, so its money is counted in full on each of them (Prop. 3 included).

No

No committee on this side raised $1M.

Prop. 45: Loosen environmental review (CEQA)

✗ No ahead, 55.4%

Modifies Environmental Review For Certain Projects. Initiative Statute.

Yes
$38MNo
$34M

The two sides raised about the same. Biggest single donor: Building a Better California, $10M (26% of that side).

Who paid on each side

Yes: $38M

  1. Building a Better California$10M

    Its biggest donors: Sergey Brin $102M, Eric Schmidt $40M, L. John Doerr, III $40M

  2. CA Business PAC$3.9M

    Its biggest donors: Southern California Edison Company $2.0M, Sutter Health $1.0M, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC (Cara Martinson) $550K

  3. California Building Industry Association$3.2M
  4. PG&E Corporation and Affiliated Entities$2.4M
  5. California Association of Realtors$1.5M
  6. Lennar Corporation$1.1M

168 donors. Committees: Yes on 45 - Building a More Affordable California, a Coalition of Water, Affordable Housing, Clean Energy, Small Business, Healthcare & Community Leaders ($25M); California Building Industry Association Issues Committee Supporting Proposition 45 ($11M); Building Resilient Infrastructure for a Decarbonized Green Economy Issues PAC (BRIDGE Issues) Yes on Prop 45, Funded by PG&E Corporation ($2.4M).

No: $34M

  1. Wendy Schmidt$10M
  2. Clean and Healthy California, Sponsored By Environmental Organizations$7.1M
  3. California State Council of Laborers Issues PAC$1.7M

    Its biggest donors: Laborers Pacific Southwest Regional Organizing Coalition Issues PAC $2.3M

  4. Southern California District Council of Laborers Issues PAC$1.3M
  5. Members' Voice of the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California$1.3M

    Its biggest donors: State Building & Construction Trades Council of California $876K, Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3 Issues Advocacy/Ballot Initiative PAC $250K, Operating Engineers Local #3 (Intermediary for Unitemized Union Member Contributions) $165K

  6. Disctrict Council of Iron Workers of the State of California Vicinity$1.0M

130 donors. Committees: No on Prop 45, sponsored by labor, health and environmental organizations ($20M); No on Prop 45 - Protect California Communities ($11M); Campaign for People Over Polluters, No on Prop. 45, sponsored by environmental, environmental justice, and health organizations ($2.8M).

Prop. 39: Voter ID and citizenship checks

✗ No ahead, 60%

Prohibits Citizens From Voting Unless They Present Government-Issued Identification. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.

Yes
$33MNo
$35M

The two sides raised about the same. Biggest single donor: California Democratic Party, $7.4M (21% of that side).

Who paid on each side

Yes: $33M

  1. Richard Uihlein · Uline$17M
  2. Joseph Gebbia · Samara$8.0M
  3. Reform California with Carl De Maio - Ballot Measure Committee$3.2M
  4. Nicole Shanahan · Bia-Echo Foundation$370K
  5. Stark Industrial LLC$300K
  6. Perfect One Capital$300K

475 donors. Committees: Californians for Voter ID, Yes on 39 ($33M).

No: $35M

  1. California Democratic Party$7.4M

    Its biggest donors: Kalshi, Inc. $2.2M, California Teachers Association - Issues PAC $2.1M, Election Rigging Response Act, Newsom's Ballot Measure Committee $2.0M

  2. The Tribal Council of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria$2.0M
  3. California Nurses Association Initiative PAC$2.0M

    Its biggest donors: California Nurses Association $2.7M

  4. M. Quinn Delaney$1.5M
  5. Patty Quillin$1.5M
  6. SEIU California State Council for Working People$1.1M

110 donors. Committees: No on 39 - Block Election Rigging sponsored by nurses, teachers, and nonprofit labor and community health clinic organizations ($21M); United Against Prop. 39 -- Stop the Rig sponsored by nonprofit labor and civil rights organizations ($7.3M); No on Prop 39 - Californians for Voting Rights, sponsored by California Donor Table & ACLU of Northern California ($4.9M); Communities for an Affordable California Yes on 3, No on 39, and 43 Sponsored by Million Voters Project Action Fund ($1.3M, also works on Prop. 3, 43).

A committee here fought more than one measure, so its money is counted in full on each of them (Prop. 39 included).

Prop. 44: 90% spending rule for health clinics

✗ No ahead, 82%

Requires Community Health Clinics Spend 90% Of Revenue On Program Services. Initiative Statute.

Yes
$17MNo
$39M

The no side raised 2.3 times as much. Biggest single donor: Altamed Health Services Corporation, $6.1M (16% of that side).

Who paid on each side

Yes: $17M

  1. SEIU United Health Care Workers West Political Issues Committee$17M

    Its biggest donors: Service Employees International Union, United Healthcare Workers West Nonprofit 501(c)(5) $531K

1 donors. Committees: Yes on Prop 44, Sponsored by Service Employees International Union United Healthcare Workers West ($17M).

No: $39M

  1. Altamed Health Services Corporation$6.1M
  2. California Primary Care Association$1.7M
  3. Family Health Centers of San Diego$1.5M
  4. North East Medical Services$1.5M
  5. Wellspace Health$1.5M
  6. San Ysidro Health$1.0M

151 donors. Committees: No On Prop 44 - Stop the Attack on Patients and Community Health Clinics, sponsored by California Primary Care Association Advocates ($39M).

Prop. 43: Harder rules for local taxes

✗ No ahead, 56.4%

Limits Voters' Ability To Raise Revenues For Local Government Services. Legislative Constitutional Amendment.

Yes
$17MNo
$12M

The two sides raised about the same. Biggest single donor: California Business Roundtable Issues PAC, $12M (70% of that side).

Who paid on each side

Yes: $17M

  1. California Business Roundtable Issues PAC$12M

    Its biggest donors: Peter Thiel $3.0M, Eric Schmidt $2.6M, Kim Degeorge $1.9M

  2. Protect Prop. 13, a project of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association$1.0M

    Its biggest donors: Californians to Restore Local Taxpayers' Right to Vote on Taxes, Sponsored by Homeowners, Businesses, and Taxpayers $13M, California Business Roundtable Issues PAC $772K

  3. Douglas Emmett Properties, LP and affiliated entities$1.0M
  4. Kilroy Realty, LP$1.0M
  5. Right Path California Issues PAC, sponsored by taxpayer and business advocates$584K

    Its biggest donors: California Business Roundtable Issues PAC $3.6M, Californians for Affordable Insurance, Supporting Ben Allen for Insurance Commissioner 2026 $900K

  6. 1800 Capital, Inc. (Formerly - Ace Beverage Group, Inc.)$500K

75 donors. Committees: Yes on Prop 43 - The Local Taxpayer Protection Act, sponsored by homeowners, businesses, and taxpayers ($17M).

No: $12M

  1. SEIU California State Council For Working People$1.5M
  2. No on 39 - Block Election Rigging Sponsored by Nurses, Teachers, and Nonprofit Labor and Community Health Clinic Organizations$1.1M
  3. Service Employees International Union - SEIU Local 2015 Issues PAC$1.0M

    Its biggest donors: Service Employees International Union Political Education and Action Fund (SEIU PEA) (MPO) $4.0M, SEIU Local 2015 $152K

  4. California Professional Firefighters Ballot Issues Committee$846K
  5. Yes on Prop 3 to Protect Public Education, Health Care and Budget Stability, Sponsored by Education and Labor Organizations$610K
  6. Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Issues PAC$500K

    Its biggest donors: Service Employees International Union Local 1021 $3.2M

41 donors. Committees: No on Prop 43: Stop the Local Taxpayer Deception Act, sponsored by labor organizations ($9.2M); Communities for an Affordable California Yes on 3, No on 39, and 43 Sponsored by Million Voters Project Action Fund ($2.5M, also works on Prop. 3, 39).

A committee here fought more than one measure, so its money is counted in full on each of them (Prop. 43 included).

Prop. 37: Home loans for middle-income buyers

✓ Yes ahead, 61.8%

Creates Loan Program For Middle-Income Buyers Of Qualified New Homes. Initiative Statute.

Yes
$22MNo
–

Only the yes side raised $1M or more. Biggest single donor: California Association of Realtors Issues Mobilization PAC (IMPAC), $11M (49% of that side).

Who paid on each side

Yes: $22M

  1. California Association of Realtors Issues Mobilization PAC (IMPAC)$11M
  2. Building a Better California$6.0M

    Its biggest donors: Sergey Brin $102M, Eric Schmidt $40M, L. John Doerr, III $40M

  3. National Association of Realtors$3.3M
  4. United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America$750K
  5. Northern California Carpenters Regional Council Issues PAC (NCCRC)$550K

    Its biggest donors: North Coast States Regional Council of Carpenters $15M

  6. Western States Regional Council of Carpenters Issues Committee$450K

    Its biggest donors: Western States Regional Council of Carpenters $2.5M

14 donors. Committees: Yes on 37, California Homeownership ($15M); Homeownership for Families, Sponsored by California Association of Realtors - Yes on 37 ($7.0M).

No

No committee on this side raised $1M.

Prop. 1: Affordable housing and veterans bond

✓ Yes ahead, 60.5%

Authorizes Bonds For Housing Affordability Programs. Legislative Statute.

Yes
$16MNo
–

Only the yes side raised $1M or more. Biggest single donor: Airbnb, Inc., $1.0M (6% of that side).

Who paid on each side

Yes: $16M

  1. Airbnb, Inc.$1.0M
  2. Building a Better California$1.0M

    Its biggest donors: Sergey Brin $102M, Eric Schmidt $40M, L. John Doerr, III $40M

  3. North Coast States Regional Council of Carpenters Issues PAC$1.0M

    Its biggest donors: North Coast States Regional Council of Carpenters $15M

  4. Western States Regional Council of Carpenters Issues Committee$1.0M

    Its biggest donors: Western States Regional Council of Carpenters $2.5M

  5. NPH Action Fund Political Issues Committee$881K

    Its biggest donors: San Francisco Housing Accelerator Fund $400K, Mercy Housing California $320K, Bay Area Neighbors for Affordable Housing 2024, sponsored by NPH Action Fund $238K

  6. Mobilizing Economic Transformation Across (Meta) California$602K

    Its biggest donors: Meta Platforms, Inc. $17M

140 donors. Committees: Yes On Prop 1 Californians for Homes, Jobs and Affordability 2026, Sponsored by Affordable Housing Organizations ($15M); Californians for Affordable Homes, Yes on Proposition 1, sponsored by NPH Action Fund ($1.2M).

No

No committee on this side raised $1M.

Prop. 38: Bonds for immunology research

✓ Yes ahead, 54.7%

Authorizes Bonds For Immunology Medical Research. Initiative Statute.

Yes
$11MNo
–

Only the yes side raised $1M or more. Biggest single donor: Gary K. Michelson and Affiliated Entity Michelson Center for Public Policy, $6.0M (53% of that side).

Who paid on each side

Yes: $11M

  1. Gary K. Michelson and Affiliated Entity Michelson Center for Public Policy$6.0M
  2. Meyer Luskin · Scope Industries$5.0M
  3. Michelson Center For Public Policy, Inc. - Yes On 38 (Nonprofit 501 (c)(4))$200K

    Its biggest donors: Gary K. Michelson (formerly Gary K. Michelson and Affiliated Entity Michelson Center for Public Policy) $10M, Michelson Center for Public Policy, Inc. $3.0M

  4. California Democratic Party$26K

    Its biggest donors: Kalshi, Inc. $2.2M, California Teachers Association - Issues PAC $2.1M, Election Rigging Response Act, Newsom's Ballot Measure Committee $2.0M

  5. UAW Region 6 Western States PAC$10K

    Its biggest donors: Uaw Local 4811 $337K, Uaw Local 1115 $95K, Uaw Local 4121 $70K

  6. United Domestic Workers of America Issues PAC$2K

7 donors. Committees: YES on 38: Californians for Life-Saving Immunology Research and Cures, sponsored by the Michelson Center for Public Policy ($11M).

No

No committee on this side raised $1M.

No committee raised $1M on Prop. 2 (bigger rainy-day fund, yes ahead), Prop. 4 (allow public financing of campaigns, no ahead), Prop. 5 (change how statewide recalls work, yes ahead).

How to read this

What the numbers count, and what they leave out.
  • Money is what committees formed to pass or defeat each measure reported raising since Jan 1, 2025: itemized and small contributions on their Form 460 reports through Oct. 17, plus the 24-hour reports of $1,000-plus gifts filed after that, through Nov 7, 2026.
  • The committee list is the state ethics agency's (FPPC): committees that raised $1M or more. Smaller committees are left out.
  • When one committee on a side funds another on the same side, the money is counted once, where it first came in.
  • Some committees fought two or three measures at once (the SEIU healthcare workers' committee backed Prop. 40 and opposed 41 and 42). Their money is counted in full on each measure but only once in the statewide total.
  • A donor's own donors are shown for committees that gave. Names link to a federal donor page only when the name matches exactly. Every gift here is legal and public.
  • This covers California only, which drew about two-thirds of the roughly $1.2 billion raised for ballot measures across the country this year. Other states come next.

Sources: Cal-Access bulk export (California Secretary of State) · FPPC top contributors, November 2026 · California Secretary of State election results. Built Nov 7, 2026.