California Ballot Measure Campaigns Raise $265 Million

Campaigns for 14 measures on California's November ballot raised approximately $265 million and spent $213 million between January 1 and June 30, 2026. According to the Secretary of State of California, these funds primarily supported infrastructure and signature gathering ahead of the upcoming advertising phase.

Building a Better California, a group of tech executives and billionaires led by primary donor Sergey Brin, has spent $118 million to oppose Proposition 40. This proposed one-time 5% levy on billionaires is backed by the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West. In response, Building a Better California is supporting Proposition 41 and Proposition 42, which aim to ban new taxes on personal property and invalidate special taxes.

Other high-spending efforts include Proposition 37, a $25 billion state bond measure for home mortgages funded largely by the California Association of Realtors. Additionally, Proposition 39, which would mandate voter identification, received $6.5 million from Republican donors Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein.