An individual in a wheelchair in muted tones placing their ballot in a ballot box. An individual in a wheelchair in muted tones placing their ballot in a ballot box.

2026 Bay Area Voter Guide Position Rationale & Summaries

2026 VOTER GUIDE

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NOVEMBER BALLOT

Not all counties have ballot measures aligned with UWBA’s priorities this election.

Find the measures on your ballot

Choose a county to keep California statewide and Bay Area regional measures visible alongside UWBA’s local positions.

Showing all UWBA ballot positions.

LOCAL BALLOT

ALAMEDA COUNTY MEASURES

2 measures

BerkeleyHousing

UWBA supports

Measure X

Rent Ordinance Amendment Measure

Measure X would strengthen Berkeley’s rent stabilization and tenant protection laws by expanding rent control to additional units, limiting annual rent increases, updating rental registration requirements, and allowing tenant associations in smaller properties.

Why we support this measure
Why UWBA supports this measure

Everyone deserves the stability of knowing they can remain in their home. As housing costs continue to rise, stronger tenant protections help more families stay rooted in their communities instead of being priced out. While statewide solutions are still needed, local measures like Measure X are an important step toward creating stable housing, stronger neighborhoods, and the conditions for people to thrive.

BerkeleyFinancial Stability

UWBA supports

Measure Z

Public Bank Measure

Measure Z would establish a special parcel tax to capitalize a public bank that would finance investments in affordable housing, green energy/infrastructure, and small businesses. It includes City Council oversight and regular audits to help ensure funds are invested responsibly.

Why we support this measure
Why UWBA supports this measure

Sustainable communities need reliable ways to invest in their future. A public bank can reduce borrowing costs, allowing more public dollars to be directed toward local priorities like affordable housing, local businesses, and community infrastructure. We support practical, accountable investments that give thriving communities the tools to invest in their future.

LOCAL BALLOT

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MEASURES

2 measures

San PabloHousing

UWBA supports

Measure S

San Pablo Rent Control Ordinance

Measure S would establish rent increase limits for certain residential rental units and strengthen tenant protections in San Pablo. The measure would create new standards for rent increases while expanding local renter protections.

Why we support this measure
Why UWBA supports this measure

Everyone deserves the security of knowing they can remain in their home. Similar to Measure X in Berkeley, Measure S will help protect renters from sudden rent increases, reduce the risk of displacement, and support greater housing stability. While broader statewide solutions are still needed, local tenant protections are an important step toward helping people stay rooted in their communities and creating the conditions for families to thrive.

Walnut CreekHousing

UWBA supports

Measure U

Walnut Creek Senior Housing Measure

Measure U would update Walnut Creek’s planning and zoning rules to allow the development of more senior housing on a designated site near BART. It would also allow compatible commercial uses to help support the development.

Why we support this measure
Why UWBA supports this measure

Everyone deserves to age in a community where they can remain connected, independent, and supported. By creating more than 200 units of senior housing near transit and essential services, Measure U helps expand housing options while making it easier for older adults to access healthcare, groceries, and the resources they rely on every day. We support thoughtful housing investments that create more connected, inclusive communities where people can live with dignity.

LOCAL BALLOT

MARIN COUNTY MEASURE

1 measure

Marin CountyFinancial Stability

UWBA supports

Measure P

County of Marin Childcare Initiative

Measure P would establish a parcel tax to fund affordable childcare and early childhood education programs in Marin County for 15 years. The measure is expected to generate approximately $12.5 million annually to expand access to childcare and support early learning.

Why we support this measure
Why UWBA supports this measure

Every family deserves access to affordable, high-quality childcare. According to UWCA’s Real Cost Measure data, in Marin County, families can spend more than $35,000 a year on childcare, creating one of the biggest barriers to financial stability, while many childcare providers struggle to remain in the communities they serve. By expanding access to affordable care and supporting the early childhood workforce, Measure P helps create the conditions for children, families, and communities to thrive.

LOCAL BALLOT

SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY MEASURES

5 measures

San FranciscoFinancial Stability

UWBA supports

Measure B

Establishing a Municipal Finance Corporation and a Public Bank

Measure B would establish a Municipal Finance Corporation and Public Bank to develop lending programs that support affordable housing, small businesses, and climate resilience projects in San Francisco. The measure creates the governance structure needed to direct future investments into community priorities.

Why we support this measure
Why UWBA supports this measure

Strong communities need reliable tools to invest in their future. A public bank can help reduce borrowing costs and expand the City’s ability to invest in priorities like affordable housing, local businesses, and community infrastructure. We support innovative, accountable financing solutions that create the conditions for stronger communities and lasting opportunity.

San FranciscoHousing

UWBA supports

Measure C

Contributions to the Housing Fund

Measure C would increase San Francisco’s investment in the Housing Trust Fund, which finances affordable housing development, rehabilitation, and homeownership assistance programs. This measure would also extend the fund through 2058 and expand eligibility so more residents can benefit from its investments.

Why we support this measure
Why UWBA supports this measure

Everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home. By expanding the Housing Trust Fund, Measure C would help preserve existing affordable homes, build new ones, and create more pathways to homeownership for San Franciscans. We support long-term investments that help more people remain in their communities, build stability, and create the conditions for opportunity.

San FranciscoTransit

UWBA supports

Measure H

Parcel Tax to Fund Public Muni Operations

Measure H would establish a parcel tax to maintain Muni service and operations generating approximately $184 million annually. It includes independent financial oversight requirements that would expire in 2042, unless renewed by voters.

Why we support this measure
Why UWBA supports this measure

We maintain that opportunity begins with being able to reach it. Reliable public transportation helps people get to work, school, healthcare, grocery stores, and the community resources they rely on every day. By helping preserve Muni service while including strong accountability and a sunset date, Measure H supports a more connected city and helps create the conditions for economic mobility and thriving communities.

San FranciscoHousing

UWBA supports

Measure I

Changes to Real Property Transfer Tax

Measure I would dedicate a portion of the City’s existing transfer tax revenue from the sale of properties valued at $10 million or more to affordable housing programs, including social housing.

Why we support this measure
Why UWBA supports this measure

Everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home. Measure I helps direct existing public resources toward affordable housing, creating more opportunities for San Franciscans to find and keep stable housing. We support practical investments that expand housing options, strengthen communities, and create the conditions for long-term stability and opportunity.

LOCAL BALLOT

SAN MATEO COUNTY MEASURES

3 measures

Redwood CityHousing

UWBA supports

Measure E

Rent Control and Eviction Limits Initiative

Measure E would establish rent increase limits for certain residential rental units and strengthen tenant protections in Redwood City. The measure would create new standards for rent increases while expanding local renter protections.

Why we support this measure
Why UWBA supports this measure

Everyone deserves the security of knowing they can remain in their home. Similar to Measure X in Berkeley and Measure S in San Pablo, Measure E will help protect renters from sudden rent increases, reduce the risk of displacement, and support greater housing stability. While broader statewide solutions are still needed, local tenant protections are an important step toward helping people stay rooted in their communities and creating the conditions for families to thrive.

Menlo ParkHousing

UWBA opposes

Measure P

Citizen Initiative to Amend Municipal Code

Measure P would prohibit the City of Menlo Park from selling, leasing, or authorizing a new uses – including housing development – on City-owned parking lots. It would limit the City’s ability to use these properties for future housing projects.

Why we oppose this measure
Why UWBA opposes this measure

Because everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home, we believe this measure would make it more difficult for Menlo Park to create affordable housing in a community where housing costs remain out of reach for many residents. We support thoughtful housing development—especially in well-resourced communities and on sites that do not displace existing residents—because expanding housing opportunities helps create the conditions for greater stability and opportunity.

Half Moon BayHousing

UWBA supports

Measure Q

Housing Initiative Measure

Measure Q would allow the development of a 40-unit affordable housing community in Half Moon Bay for senior farmworkers, operated by Mercy Housing. The measure would help expand safe, affordable housing for the agricultural workers who are essential to the region’s economy.

Why we support this measure
Why UWBA supports this measure

Everyone deserves a safe, dignified place to call home. Measure Q would create affordable housing for senior farmworkers while helping address longstanding housing challenges that have affected the Half Moon Bay community for years. We support investments that expand housing opportunities, honor the dignity of essential workers, and create the conditions for healthier, more resilient communities.

BAY AREA BALLOT

REGIONAL MEASURE

1 measure

Bay AreaTransit

UWBA supports

Measure RTM

Regional Transit Measure

Measure RTM is a sales tax that would provide funding to help maintain public transit service across Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, San Mateo, and San Francisco counties. Revenue from the measure would support transit operations and infrastructure as Bay Area transit agencies face significant funding shortfalls.

Why we support this measure
Why UWBA supports this measure

Opportunity begins with being able to reach it. Reliable public transit helps people get to work, school, healthcare, grocery stores, and the community resources they rely on every day. As the Bay Area faces rising costs of living, maintaining affordable transportation helps remove barriers, strengthen economic mobility, and create the conditions for people and communities to thrive could not be more important. To learn more about our support for Measure RTM, read our blog.

CALIFORNIA BALLOT

STATEWIDE PROPOSITIONS

8 measures

CaliforniaHousing

UWBA supports

Proposition 1

Affordable Housing and Veterans Bond

Prop 1 would authorize $11.25 billion in state bonds to build, preserve, and rehabilitate affordable housing across California while expanding homeownership opportunties for veterans. The funding would help move affordable housing projects that are ready to be built into construction.

Why we support this measure
Why UWBA supports this measure

Everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home. Through our 211 service, we hear every day from our neighbors who don’t know where they’ll sleep, how they will pay their rent, or if they will have some place to land after an emergency – nearly 58,000 of those housing-related requests came in last year alone. By helping more affordable housing projects move from planning to construction, Prop 1 creates the conditions for more people to put down roots, build stability, and pursue the opportunities that help communities thrive.

CaliforniaEducation

UWBA supports

Proposition 3

Permanent High-Income Tax for Education

Prop 3 would make permanent California’s existing high-income tax rates, which are currently set to expire in 2031. The revenue would continue supporting K-12 schools, community colleges, and healthcare, preserving billions of dollars in annual education funding.

Why we support this measure
Why UWBA supports this measure

Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and build the future they imagine. With a recent Public Policy Institute of California study finding nearly two-thirds of California’s public school students classified as socioeconomically disadvantaged, stable funding helps schools retain educators, keep class sizes manageable, and provide students with the support they need to succeed. Strong public schools create the conditions for lifelong opportunity, opening doors for students, strengthening communities, and helping the next generation thrive.

CaliforniaCivic Engagement

UWBA opposes

Proposition 39

Voter ID Requirements

Prop 39 would require voters to present government-issued identification when voting in person and provide identification information when voting by mail. It would also expand citizenship verification and reporting requirements for election officials.

Why we oppose this measure
Why UWBA opposes this measure

Everyone deserves the opportunity to have a voice in the decisions that shape their community. We believe this measure would create additional and unnecesary barriers for eligible voters. At United Way Bay Area, we support policies that advance justice, safety, and belonging by helping ensure every eligible voter can participate in our democracy.

CaliforniaFinancial Stability

UWBA opposes

Proposition 43

Higher Threshold for Local Special Taxes

Prop 43 would increase the number of votes needed for proposed local special taxes to pass from the current simple majority requirement (50% + 1 vote) to a two-thirds majority (66.7% + 1 vote). It would also restrict certain funding measures for dedicated purposes, like property tax proposals.

Why we oppose this measure
Why UWBA opposes this measure

Strong communities need the ability to invest in the services and infrastructure people rely on every day. Prop 43 would make it significantly harder for communities to approve local investments in affordable housing, public schools, public safety, emergency services, and other critical needs – even when a majority of voters support them. We believe whole communities should have the ability to respond to local challenges and build the conditions that help people thrive, not face higher barriers to making those investments.

About these rationales

This page includes measures on which UWBA supports, opposes, or has a neutral or pending position. Measure titles and descriptions are brief summaries. Consult official voter materials for the full ballot language and to confirm which regional, county, or city measures appear on your ballot.

California Secretary of State: qualified statewide measures