California Fair Elections Act Will Go to Voters on the 2026 Ballot

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Supporters of Senate Bill 42, the California Fair Elections Act, celebrate Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature on the legislation, which will appear on the November 2026 ballot. 

Authored by Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D–Santa Ana) and jointly authored by Senator Ben Allen (D–El Segundo), Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D–Riverside), and Assemblymember Alex Lee (D–San Jose), the measure restores the ability of local and state authority to establish public financing programs while  setting basic requirements that public financing systems and candidates must follow to protect taxpayers and maximize the benefit to voters.

"SB 42 gives power back to the people. By placing the question of public campaign financing on the 2026 ballot, we are giving Californians, not politicians or special interests, the choice to decide how elections should be financed in our state,” said Senator Umberg. “This is about leveling the playing field, empowering everyday voters and opening the door for more diverse voices in public office."

SB 42 does not mandate public financing but gives voters the choice to decide whether to repeal California’s 1988 statewide prohibition. If approved in 2026, the measure could help level the playing field, reduce the influence of wealthy donors, and encourage a more diverse pool of candidates to run for office.

Statements from Joint Authors and Supporters: 

“Our democracy should not be for sale. Big Money is drowning out the voices of everyday voters,” said Assemblymember Lee. “Public financing is the reform we need to bring power back to the people and level the playing field for grassroots candidates to run for office. It will help rebuild voters’ faith in democracy and show that Big Money can’t buy our elections.”

“Voters across the political spectrum know that the crushing expense of campaigning can prevent great candidates from making it through the electoral process,” said Senator Allen. “The California Fair Elections Act creates a path by enabling public financing systems that reduce reliance on special interests and amplify the voices of grassroots communities.”

“I am proud to be part of the broad coalition supporting Senate Bill 42,” said Senator Cervantes. “Next year, voters will have the chance to vote on the California Fair Elections Act, which will give local governments the option to adopt public financing systems that will amplify the voices of Californian voters and open the door for a greater diversity of candidates.”

​​“Governor Newsom’s signature on SB 42 to place the California Fair Elections Act on the ballot will give voters the chance to empower every jurisdiction in California to strengthen democracy and reduce the power of Big Money in politics by adopting public financing of campaigns,” said Trent Lange, President of the California Clean Money Campaign, sponsor of SB 42. “We — and every Californian who cares about fair elections — owe a debt of gratitude to Governor Newsom, SB 42 author Senator Tom Umberg, joint authors Senator Ben Allen, Senator Sabrina Cervantes, and Assemblymember Alex Lee, and all the other leaders in the California Legislature who helped make this victory possible.”

 “This is a historic day for California voters,” said Sean McMorris, Transparency, Ethics, and Accountability Program Manager, California Common Cause, co-sponsor of SB 42. “They can now take back the power and decide how elections are funded, giving everyday people more influence in political outcomes.”

 “For years, the League of Women Voters of California has fought to put voters — not big donors — at the center of our democracy,” said Dora Rose, Deputy Director, League of Women Voters of California, co-sponsor of SB 42. “With Senator Umberg’s leadership and Governor Newsom’s signature on SB 42, Californians will have the chance in 2026 to move toward elections where candidates listen to voters instead of chasing money. This milestone opens the door for women, people of color, and working-class Californians to run and win — and strengthens the foundation of our democracy.”

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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.