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California · November 3, 2026 general election · Statewide ballot measure

Proposition 3: what your vote means

Extends income tax rates on high incomes. On every California ballot. Official sources checked October 21, 2026.

Proposition 3 · Initiative constitutional amendment

Extends income tax rates on high incomes

Official ballot title (quoted exactly)

PROVIDES PERMANENT FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS AND HEALTH CARE BY EXTENDING EXISTING TAX ON HIGH INCOMES. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

As printed in the Official Voter Information Guide, California Secretary of State (title prepared by the Attorney General).

A YES vote means:

The higher income tax rates on high-income earners in place since 2012 would become permanent instead of expiring in 2031.

A NO vote means:

Those higher income tax rates would expire in 2031, as current law provides.

What it would change

  • Who is affected: individuals with taxable income over about $371,000 (adjusted each year for inflation).
  • Taxes: keeps the existing higher rates (first approved in Proposition 30) in place permanently; it does not raise rates above today’s levels.
  • Where the money goes: revenues are allocated to public education and other programs.
  • Fiscal impact (Legislative Analyst): keeps $5 billion to $15 billion a year in state income tax revenue that would otherwise end after 2031.

Official arguments, summarized

Short neutral summaries of the arguments printed in the official voters’ pamphlet. The committees that wrote them are responsible for their content. Read the full text at the link below.

Argument for

Supporters say keeping current rates on the highest earners protects school and health care funding without raising taxes on others, with audits of school spending.

Written by: Yes on Prop 3 · yesprop3ca.com

Argument against

Opponents say Californians already pay high taxes and that temporary taxes should not become permanent before state spending is addressed.

Arguments and rebuttals, Proposition 3, Official Voter Information Guide

Who supports it and who opposes it

These lists come from official campaign filings (registered committees) and public endorsements, each linked to its source. They are not complete, and SaveYourState does not endorse anyone listed. Lists checked October 30, 2026.

Who supports it

Who opposes it

Official sources

SaveYourState is independent and nonpartisan, not a government site, and does not take positions on ballot measures. This explainer describes effects only, using the official ballot title, explanatory statement, full text, and fiscal impact statement. If anything here differs from those documents, the official documents control.