SB 42 would put a measure on the November 2026 ballot to allow voters to decide the matter

SACRAMENTO, CA — At a time when voters are more concerned than ever about the dominance of Big Money in politics, Senators Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana) and Ben Allen (D- El Segundo) and Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-San Jose) have jointly introduced Senate Bill 42, to restore control to local governments and the State by allowing them to enact new options for election campaign funding.

Five California charter cities currently empower voters by providing public financing matching funds or democracy vouchers to help voters support qualified candidates, but state law currently bars counties, districts, general law cities, and the State from offering public funds for campaigns. SB 42 would put a measure on the November 2026 ballot to remove the ban.

In 2016, the Legislature passed SB 1107 (Allen), signed by Governor Jerry Brown, which would have removed the ban, but the courts ruled that the question must be put before the voters. SB 42 would do so by putting a measure on the November 2024 ballot.

“In historic votes, overwhelming bipartisan majorities in both Houses of the Legislature voted nine years ago to give local governments and the State the option to enact public financing laws,” said SB 42 author Senator Umberg, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “It’s long past time for California voters to have their say in the matter and SB 42 will do exactly that on next year’s ballot.”

“Public financing of campaigns is the best way to empower voters, increase diversity of candidates running for office, and give voters confidence that Big Money can’t just buy their elections,” said Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-San Jose), joint author of SB 42. 

Elected officials and those running for office spend a significant amount of time soliciting donations. Public financing of campaigns can reduce the influence of money in elections and lead to more diverse candidates running for office that better reflect the communities they seek to represent. 

“Voters across the political spectrum know that the crushing expense of campaigning can prevent great candidates from making it through the electoral process. This bill creates a path by enabling public financing systems that reduce reliance on special interests and amplify the voices of grassroots communities,” said Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica), the author of SB 1107 of 2016 and now a joint author of SB 42.

79% of likely California voters said that Big Money campaign contributors have too much influence over elected officials in California, and 68% said that ordinary voters have too little influence, according to a 2019 poll by the California Clean Money Campaign. That may be why voters in charter cities have passed public financing measures by large majorities when given the opportunity. 75% voted for Los Angeles’ Measure H in 2011, 65% voted for Berkeley’s Measure X1 in 2016, and 74% voted for Oakland’s Measure W in 2022.

A broad coalition of state, local, and national organizations supported SB 1107 in 2016, and over 57,000 Californians signed petitions urging the legislature to pass it and Governor Brown to sign it.

“Though it was disappointing that SB 24 and AB 270 didn't get to the Governor's desk last year, a lot of progress was made building the coalition for Fair Elections," said Trent Lange, President of the California Clean Money Campaign, sponsor of SB 42.  “That’s why we’re so grateful that Senator Umberg is leading with Assemblymember Lee and Senator Allen on SB 42 to give voters the opportunity to remove the ban on public financing and thereby give counties, districts, general law cities, and the State the ability to explore publicly funded election systems that work for them."

“Public financing of campaigns empowers candidates from all walks of life to compete for public office without having to rely on wealthy donors,” said David Shor, Money in Politics Director of California Common Cause, a cosponsor of SB 42.  “We know that there will be a large coalition of grassroots organizations representing all spectrums of Californians who understand the ways big money in politics has harmed communities across the state, and will join in helping it pass.”

“The escalating role of money in politics poses a significant threat to the health of our democracy. By prioritizing special interests and diminishing the voices of ordinary voters, it undermines the core principle of representative governance,” said Dora Rose, Deputy Director of the League of Women Voters of California, a cosponsor of SB 42.  “Public financing is a proven tool that levels the playing field, enabling diverse candidates to run viable campaigns while restoring the public’s trust in the fairness of our elections. SB 42 gives Californians the opportunity to reclaim their elections and ensure they reflect the values and priorities of the people, not just the wealthiest donors.”

By allowing California voters to remove the ban on public financing, 42 will give local governments and the State the same flexibility to explore better campaign funding options currently available to only charter cities. SB 42 will be heard in the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee in March or April.

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Senator Thomas J. Umberg represents the 34th Senate District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Buena Park, Fullerton, Garden Grove, La Habra, Long Beach, Orange, 

Placentia, Santa Ana, and East and South Whittier. Umberg is a retired U.S. Army Colonel, former federal prosecutor, and small businessman. 

He and his wife, Brigadier General Robin Umberg, USA (ret.), live in Orange County.