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Debating the pros and cons of Prop 4: Public financing of election campaigns
Proposition 4 would repeal California's existing ban on the state and most local governments using tax dollars to fund political candidates' campaigns. This would allow those governments to create public campaign-financing programs. It also would triple the maximum fine for campaign contributions by foreign entities. Let's break down the issues together.
Proposition 4 would repeal California's existing ban on the state and most local governments using tax dollars to fund political candidates' campaigns. This would allow those governments to create public campaign-financing programs. It also would triple the maximum fine for campaign contributions by foreign entities.
What to keep in mind about these numbers
- For LAist's charts showing vote counts, we get numbers directly from the L.A. County and Orange County registrars of voters for local races. Totals are updated on our site as soon as possible after the registrars provide new tallies. For statewide races, counts come from the California Secretary of State's Office.
- Has your ballot been tallied yet? You can track the status of your ballot here.
- Keep in mind that, in tight races particularly, the winner may not be determined for days or weeks after election day. That's because early voting and mail-in ballots have fundamentally reshaped how votes are counted and when election results are known. The upshot: Ballots can be postmarked up to and including Election Day. They're counted as long as the ballot arrives within seven days of the election and that window contributes to the lag time before results are announced.
- In L.A. County, for example, daily updates on the counting are expected to take place at least once a day — usually around 5 p.m. — through Nov. 13. (There will be multiple updates on Nov. 5 and 6.) Then, the once-a-day counts will resume again on Nov. 17, 19, 25 and 27. The office is scheduled to certify election results by Friday, Nov. 27. In Orange County, there will be multiple updates after the polls close, and then daily updates weekdays at 5 p.m. until results are scheduled to be certified on or before Dec. 3.
- The California Secretary of State is scheduled to certify the election results on Dec. 11.
- Our priority during the vote count will be sharing outcomes and election calls only when they have been thoroughly checked and vetted by journalists. To that end, we will rely on official results and report when candidates concede. Otherwise, we rely on NPR and the Associated Press for race calls. We will not report the calls or projections of other news outlets. You can find more about NPR's and the AP's process for counting votes and calling races here and here.
Wondering how we got here? Here's the backstory to this race:
Why this matters
Prop. 4 could reshape the funding of elections that decide who will lead governments up and down the state.
Here's the official title on the ballot: Repeals prohibition against public funding of election campaigns
Here's the text you’ll see on your ballot:Repeals prohibition on state and local governments offering public funding of candidate election campaigns. Public funding programs may not use funds earmarked for education, transportation, or public safety. Fiscal Impact: Ongoing costs to the state of a few hundred thousand dollars each year for the Fair Political Practices Commission to answer questions from state and local governments about public campaign finance programs.
What your vote means
- A "yes" vote means: You want the state and local governments to have the ability to create public funding systems to match donations to candidate election campaigns.
- A "no" vote means: You want to keep the prohibition on allowing state and local governments to offer public funding of candidate election campaigns.
What’s at stake?
Supporters say passing Prop. 4 would reduce the influence of big-money interests in politics, by empowering candidates backed by smaller donors. Opponents say it would open the door to taxpayers subsidizing candidates without sufficient limits and that it would be expensive.
If approved, the measure does not allow money meant for education, transportation or public safety to be used for campaigns. Additionally, “candidates can only receive public funds if they show broad-based support in their district and agree to spending limits and other program rules,” according to the state’s voter information guide.
Public financing of campaigns is currently allowed for charter counties and cities. Five charter cities have such programs in place: Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, San Francisco and Berkeley.
Why now?
This measure was put on the ballot by the state Legislature on a party-line vote last year, with Democrats in favor and Republicans opposing.
Its authors say public financing is highly popular, with voters “overwhelmingly” approving such measures in charter cities where it’s currently allowed.
The Legislature previously passed a similar measure in 2016, signed into law by then-Gov. Jerry Brown, though a court found it could be enacted only by a vote of all Californians.
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Election day is just around the corner, get your notepads and pencils ready — it’s time for a one-hour cram session. -
Sharpen your pencils and get out your notebooks — it’s time for a cram session! -
LAist reporter Cato Hernández has been covering judicial elections since 2022 and they will help you navigate these particularly challenging pages on your ballot.
What supporters say
- Advocates argue public campaign financing curbs the influence of big-donor money in politics, encourages candidates without deep pockets to run and empowers small donors. Backers also frame it as a matter of local control by letting voters and communities decide for themselves rather than being blocked by a decades-old statewide rule.
- Notable supporters: California Democratic Party, League of Women Voters of California, California Nurses Association, California Clean Money Campaign and California Common Cause.
What opponents say
- Critics say the measure would force taxpayers to subsidize the campaigns of politicians who get to set the rules for the money, and would allow thousands of candidates to get taxpayer money. They also argue this wouldn't actually get special-interest money out of campaigns, since it lets candidates collect taxpayer funds and private donations at the same time, with no cap on the number of candidates or total public dollars involved.
- Notable opponents: California Taxpayers Association, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce and former California Fair Political Practices Commission Chair Dan Schnur.
Potential financial impact
The Legislative Analyst's Office estimates state costs of a few hundred thousand dollars a year to hire lawyers to answer questions from governments considering public financing programs. The cost of any actual public campaign finance program would depend on which governments choose to create one and how they design it. Proposition 4 itself doesn't spend money on campaigns. The full financial analysis is available here.
As a point of comparison, L.A.’s existing public financing program for city candidates is projected to cost $15 million for the current two-year election cycle that ends later this year.
What it takes to win
A majority is needed to pass.
Watch the ballot cram session analysis
Campaign financing
Go deeper on the issues
What questions do you have about this election?
You ask, and we'll answer: Whether it's about who's funding the campaigns or how to track your ballot, we're here to help you understand the 2026 election.