2026 SFF Elections Guide
Everyone in the Bay Area deserves the opportunity to thrive: to earn a good living, live in an affordable home, and have a meaningful voice in the decisions that shape their future.
Elections are one of the most powerful ways we move closer to that vision. The measures on this year’s state and local ballots present us with important choices about the kind of California we want to build together. We can choose a future where families can find affordable homes, where tenants are protected from displacement, and where dignity and fairness are upheld for all people. Every vote is an opportunity to help shape a more just, inclusive, and prosperous future. The choices we make at the ballot box today will help determine what our communities and our state look like for generations to come.
Our recommendations on four statewide propositions, one regional measure, and eleven local ballot measures will help ensure everyone in the Bay Area can thrive.
State Propositions
Yes on CA Prop 1
Prop 1 would authorize $11.25 billion in bond funding to build and preserve affordable homes and expand homeownership opportunities across California.
SFF believes affordable housing is essential to building a Bay Area where all can thrive. California needs more than 2.5 million new homes, including at least 1 million homes that are affordable to lower-income households. Currently, more than 46,000 affordable homes across California are waiting for the last bit of state funding needed to break ground. Prop 1 would help bridge the financial gap to keep affordable housing construction moving.
More information at yesonprop1ca.com
Yes on CA Prop 3
Prop 3 would make California’s progressive income tax rates from 2012 permanent, raising $5-15 billion a year for essential state services.
SFF believes our state budget should reflect our values. This measure would continue an existing tax on millionaires. This progressive tax funds core services, including education, health care, and economic security programs. Cuts to these programs would cause the greatest harm to low-income communities and communities of color. Letting it expire would make California’s tax system more regressive, decreasing the tax bills of millionaires and billionaires.
More information at www.yesprop3ca.com
No on CA Prop 39
Prop 39 would prohibit citizens from voting unless they show a government-issued ID when voting, or write in the last four digits of their ID on their ballot envelope when submitting a ballot by mail.
SFF supports free and fair elections. Strict photo ID laws can discourage voting, suppress turnout, and increase the rejection of lawful ballots, especially among Latino, Black, low-income, and young voters—communities central to SFF’s housing, economic justice, and immigrant rights work. California’s elections are already secure: voters attest to citizenship under penalty of perjury, officials verify identity at registration and in person, and every mail ballot signature is matched. This measure would erect new and unnecessary barriers for all voters and would waste hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars a year at a time when California is navigating considerable revenue drops and budget deficits.
More information at noonprop39.com
No on CA Prop 43
Prop 43 would limit voters’ ability to pass voter-proposed local special taxes by raising the voter requirement from a simple majority to a two-thirds vote.
SFF believes local communities should be able to fund local services. If passed, this measure would limit voters’ ability to fund affordable housing and other essential local services. The measure makes it easier for opponents of these local services because they only need one-third of the vote to block it, costing local governments billions of dollars in funds that are used for healthcare, childcare, and other vital services.
More information at noprop43ca.com
Regional Measures
Yes on the Regional Transit Measure
The Regional Transit Measure would authorize a 14-year sales tax to raise $1B annually to prevent catastrophic service cuts to BART, Muni, Caltrain, and AC Transit while investing in transit throughout the five-county region.
SFF believes reliable, effective public transit is essential to a thriving Bay Area. Public transit is a critical resource for the entire Bay Area, and forecasted transit service cuts would disproportionately impact low-income residents, communities of color, seniors, people with disabilities, students, and workers who rely on transit for jobs, schools, health care, housing, and essential services. If this measure doesn’t pass, it would lead to increased traffic and longer commutes across the region. Two-thirds of new affordable housing is planned near frequent transit; the Bay Area’s climate and housing goals rely on functioning transit systems.
More information at regionaltransitmeasure.com
Local Measures
berkeley
Yes on Measure Z, Berkeley Parcel Tax to Fund a Public Bank
Measure Z would impose a $.06-$.09 per square foot parcel tax for six years to capitalize East Bay Public Bank.
SFF believes affordable capital is a fundamental equity issue. A public bank would redirect public dollars to serve community needs directly, increasing the supply of affordable housing and supporting the small businesses and neighborhood economies that anchor working-class communities across the city.
The City of Berkeley would be the first to raise capital for a larger East Bay Public Bank and set an important precedent.
More information at keepberkmoneylocal.org/
half moon bay
Yes on Measure Q, for 555 Kelly
Measure Q would confirm the approval of a new 40-unit affordable housing project to support senior farmworkers in Half Moon Bay.
SFF believes everyone deserves a safe, stable, and affordable home. This measure would allow the construction of affordable housing for senior farmworkers, including many immigrants, who were impacted by the shooting several years ago and who continue to live in substandard conditions. The project would also develop 2,653 square feet of community space that would be open for public use.
More information at 555kelly.com
oakland
Yes on Measure EE, City of Oakland Charter Amendment
Measure EE would reform the City of Oakland’s charter to increase the authority of the Mayor, and to create a clearer balance of powers and increase accountability.
SFF believes in effective, accountable local government. Voters have repeatedly expressed frustration with Oakland’s current governmental structure, including overlapping roles, fragmented decision-making, lack of clear accountability, and inefficient daily operations. The measure provides an opportunity to increase trust in local government by making it more accountable and efficient.
oakland
Yes on Measure FF, Real Property Tax Measure
Measure FF would amend the city of Oakland’s transfer tax to apply to multi-unit buildings acquired through foreclosure, generating $4 million to $13 million annually.
SFF believes that a strong and sustainable fiscal system depends on everybody contributing their fair share to the public services and infrastructure. This measure would close a legal loophole, generating revenue for essential public services and community investments at a time when Oakland faces major budget deficits. The funding could help protect programs and services that low-income residents, communities of color, seniors, and working families rely on most.
redwood city
Yes on Measure E, Redwood City Fair and Affordable Housing Ordinance
Measure E would cap allowable increases on rent to 5% (or 60% of the inflation rate based on the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less) annually and would increase eviction protections.
SFF believes that stable, affordable housing is foundational to a Bay Area where everyone can thrive. Research from Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco has found that rent stabilization and just-cause eviction protections help low-income residents remain in their homes and communities. Measure E will use proven strategies to promote housing stability, preserve community ties, and advance SFF’s commitment to ensuring everyone has a stable, affordable home across the Bay Area.
More information at www.affordableredwoodcity.com
san francisco
Yes on Proposition B, Create a Municipal Banking Corporation and Public Bank Amendment
Prop B would amend the San Francisco Charter to create a municipal finance corporation, essentially the early governance structure of a public bank.
SFF believes affordable capital is a fundamental equity issue. A public bank would redirect public dollars to serve community needs directly, increasing the supply of affordable housing and supporting the small businesses and neighborhood economies that anchor working-class communities across the city.
This measure is a first step to setting up the infrastructure needed to launch a public bank. It does not involve any new taxes or other appropriation of resources.
More information at www.ourcityourbank.com
San Francisco
Yes on Proposition C, SF Housing Trust Fund Amendment
Prop C would increase the annual cap of San Francisco’s existing Housing Trust Fund to $125 million per year— drawing from existing general fund revenues rather than imposing a new tax.
SFF believes affordable housing is essential to a Bay Area where all can thrive. San Francisco must build 46,000 affordable homes over eight years, yet public funding remains chronically underfunded and vulnerable to budget cuts. Doubling the Housing Trust Fund would directly support affordable housing production and preservation, helping low-income residents and families of color stay housed in the city.
More information at homesforsf.com
san francisco
No on Proposition D, Changes to the Ballot Measure Process
Prop D would make it harder to place a measure on the ballot by raising the signature threshold for citizen-led measures from 2% to 8% of registered voters, removing the Mayor’s ability to unilaterally place a measure on the ballot, and requiring a majority of the Board of Supervisors to advance a measure.
SFF believes that every resident should have a meaningful voice in decisions that impact them. Increasing the signature requirement for ballot measures would make it more difficult for grassroots organizations and low-income communities to bring their ideas directly to the voters when traditional decision-making channels fail to reflect their needs. Preserving accessible pathways to citizen-led initiatives helps ensure democracy remains open, inclusive, and responsive to all.
More information at sfnoond.com
san francisco
Yes on Proposition H, Stronger Muni for All
Prop H would fund Muni operations to avoid service cuts through a fair, tiered parcel tax, generating an estimated $150-160 million a year to help address Muni’s significant funding deficit in the wake of COVID.
SFF believes reliable, effective public transit is essential to a thriving Bay Area. Muni is a lifeline for the region. If this measure and the Regional Transit Measure fail, service cuts and longer wait times would make it harder and more expensive for people to get where they need to go, while threatening our economic recovery and putting more cars on the road. The consequences would fall hardest on the workers and families who can least afford longer commutes and higher transportation costs.
More information at www.strongermuniforall.com
san francisco
Yes on Proposition J, Removal of Foreclosure Exemption for Real Property Transfer
Prop J would amend San Francisco’s transfer tax to apply to multi-unit buildings acquired through foreclosure, generating $100-150 million a year.
SFF believes that a strong and sustainable fiscal system depends on everyone contributing their fair share to the public services and infrastructure. This measure would close a current legal loophole, generating significant revenue for essential public services and community investments at a time when San Francisco faces major budget deficits. The funding could help protect programs and services that low-income residents, communities of color, seniors, and working families rely on most.
More information at yesonforeclosuretax.com
san pablo
Yes on Measure S, San Pablo Rent Control Measure
Measure S would cap allowable increases on rent to 3% (or 60% of the Consumer Price Index annually, whichever is lower) and would increase eviction protections.
SFF believes that stable, affordable housing is foundational to a Bay Area where everyone can thrive. Research from Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco has found that rent stabilization and just-cause eviction protections help low-income residents remain in their homes and communities. Measure S will use proven strategies to promote housing stability, preserve community ties, and advance SFF’s commitment to ensuring everyone has a stable, affordable home across the Bay Area.
More information at yesons-stablesanpablo.com
Are you ready to vote?
California voters can vote by mail, drop off or mail their ballot, or vote in person. Given recent uncertainty around voting, we recommend voting as early as possible. Make sure you’re registered to vote and figure out your voting plan here.
CalMatters and the California Budget and Policy Center have helpful, non-partisan voter guides on state issues.
This guide is intended to educate voters about selected ballot measures and to communicate SFF’s positions on public policy issues that are relevant to our charitable mission. In evaluating these measures, SFF considers their potential impact on the communities we serve and the public policy goals we hope to advance through our programmatic, grantmaking, and advocacy work. SFF does not support or oppose candidates for public office, political parties, or candidate-controlled committees. Any recommendation to vote for or against a ballot measure is made solely on the basis of the measure’s anticipated policy impact and should not be construed as an endorsement or opposition to any candidate, officeholder, or political organization.
Paid for by the San Francisco Foundation, 1 Embarcadero Ctr, San Francisco, CA 94111, FPPC ID 1307803.
Funding details are available on the Oakland Public Ethics Commission’s website.
Financial disclosures are available at sfethics.org.