{
  "state": "CA",
  "scraped": "2026-04-26",
  "source": "https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-measures/qualified-ballot-measures",
  "election_date": "November 3, 2026",
  "measure_count": 3,
  "measures": [
    {
      "id": "ACA-13",
      "bill_type": "ACA",
      "bill_type_full": "Assembly Constitutional Amendment",
      "bill_number": "13",
      "author": "Ward",
      "title": "Voting thresholds",
      "short_title": "Protect and Retain the Majority Vote Act",
      "source_type": "legislative_referral",
      "pdf_url": "https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/ballot-measures/pdf/aca-13.pdf",
      "leginfo_url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240ACA13",
      "summary": {
        "available": true,
        "source": "Legislative Counsel's Digest (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)",
        "text": "Raises the threshold for any statewide initiative that itself proposes to require a higher (supermajority) vote for state or local measures. Today, all statewide initiatives pass with a simple majority (50%+1). Under ACA 13, if an initiative would impose, for example, a two-thirds requirement on tax measures, that initiative must itself receive at least two-thirds approval to take effect. The measure also constitutionally authorizes local governments to place non-binding advisory questions on the ballot. Sponsors call it the 'Protect and Retain the Majority Vote Act.' Originally scheduled for the November 2024 ballot, moved to November 2026 by AB 440 (2024)."
      },
      "pro": {
        "available": false,
        "note": "Official Argument in Favor not yet published. Expected in CA Voter Information Guide by September 24, 2026 (~40 days before Nov 3, 2026 election).",
        "expected_by": "2026-09-24",
        "arguments": []
      },
      "con": {
        "available": false,
        "note": "Official Argument Against not yet published. Expected in CA Voter Information Guide by September 24, 2026 (~40 days before Nov 3, 2026 election).",
        "expected_by": "2026-09-24",
        "arguments": []
      },
      "chapter": "176",
      "chapter_year": "2023",
      "election_date": "November 3, 2026",
      "status": "qualified"
    },
    {
      "id": "SCA-1",
      "bill_type": "SCA",
      "bill_type_full": "Senate Constitutional Amendment",
      "bill_number": "1",
      "author": "Newman",
      "title": "Elections: recall of state officers",
      "source_type": "legislative_referral",
      "pdf_url": "https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/ballot-measures/pdf/sca-1-24.pdf",
      "leginfo_url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SCA1",
      "summary": {
        "available": true,
        "source": "Legislative Counsel's Digest (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)",
        "text": "Restructures how California fills the office of a recalled state officer. Currently, voters answer two questions in a recall election: whether to remove the officer, and who should replace them. SCA 1 eliminates the second question. If the Governor is recalled, the Lieutenant Governor takes over for the remainder of the unexpired term (or, if recalled within the first two years, a special election is consolidated with the next statewide election). For other state officers, the office becomes vacant and is filled per existing constitutional rules. Recall duties are transferred from the Governor to the Secretary of State (and from the Secretary of State to the Controller in their respective recalls). The measure also removes the prohibition on the recalled officer running again in any subsequent special election to fill the vacancy. Widely understood as a response to the structure of the 2021 Newsom recall."
      },
      "pro": {
        "available": false,
        "note": "Official Argument in Favor not yet published. Expected in CA Voter Information Guide by September 24, 2026 (~40 days before Nov 3, 2026 election).",
        "expected_by": "2026-09-24",
        "arguments": []
      },
      "con": {
        "available": false,
        "note": "Official Argument Against not yet published. Expected in CA Voter Information Guide by September 24, 2026 (~40 days before Nov 3, 2026 election).",
        "expected_by": "2026-09-24",
        "arguments": []
      },
      "chapter": "204",
      "chapter_year": "2024",
      "election_date": "November 3, 2026",
      "status": "qualified"
    },
    {
      "id": "SB-42",
      "bill_type": "SB",
      "bill_type_full": "Senate Bill",
      "bill_number": "42",
      "author": "Umberg",
      "title": "Political Reform Act of 1974: public campaign financing: California Fair Elections Act of 2026",
      "short_title": "California Fair Elections Act of 2026",
      "source_type": "legislative_referral",
      "pdf_url": "http://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/ballot-measures/pdf/sb-42.pdf",
      "leginfo_url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB42",
      "summary": {
        "available": true,
        "source": "Legislative Counsel's Digest (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)",
        "text": "Overturns California's near-total ban on public funding of political campaigns. Current law prohibits public officers from spending \u2014 and candidates from accepting \u2014 any public funds for the purpose of seeking elective office. SB 42 reverses that prohibition (with an exception preserving the ban on funds earmarked for education, transportation, or public safety), allowing state and local governments to establish voluntary public campaign financing programs. Participating candidates must accept spending limits and meet 'strict criteria' to qualify, including demonstrating broad-based support through small-dollar contributions capped at $10. Public funds may not be used to pay legal defense fees, fines, or to repay personal loans. The measure also strengthens enforcement against foreign election interference, increasing the maximum penalty for prohibited foreign contributions to up to 3x the amount contributed. Because the Political Reform Act of 1974 was itself an initiative, this amendment requires voter approval to take effect."
      },
      "pro": {
        "available": false,
        "note": "Official Argument in Favor not yet published. Expected in CA Voter Information Guide by September 24, 2026 (~40 days before Nov 3, 2026 election).",
        "expected_by": "2026-09-24",
        "arguments": []
      },
      "con": {
        "available": false,
        "note": "Official Argument Against not yet published. Expected in CA Voter Information Guide by September 24, 2026 (~40 days before Nov 3, 2026 election).",
        "expected_by": "2026-09-24",
        "arguments": []
      },
      "chapter": "245",
      "chapter_year": "2025",
      "election_date": "November 3, 2026",
      "status": "qualified"
    }
  ]
}