The contests on San José ballots, in ballot order. Some contests depend on where in San José you live. Contests marked “coming soon” are still being reviewed.
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As the state's chief executive officer, oversees most state departments and agencies, and appoints judges. Proposes new laws, approves or vetoes legislation, and submits the annual state budget to the Legislature. Mobilizes and directs state resources during emergencies. (Source: California Official Voter Information Guide (opens in a new tab))
Assumes the office and duties of Governor in the case of impeachment, death, resignation, removal from office, or absence from the state. Serves as president of the State Senate and has a tie-breaking vote. Chairs the Commission for Economic Development; is a member of the State Lands Commission, and the Ocean Protection Council; and sits on the boards of the California university systems. (Source: California Official Voter Information Guide (opens in a new tab))
As the state's chief elections officer, oversees statewide elections and provides public access to campaign and lobbying financial information. Maintains certain business filings, authenticates trademarks, regulates notaries public, and enables secured creditors to protect their financial interests. Preserves California's history by acquiring, safeguarding, and sharing the state’s historical treasures. (Source: California Official Voter Information Guide (opens in a new tab))
As the state's chief fiscal officer, serves as the state's accountant and bookkeeper of all public funds. Administers the state payroll system and unclaimed property laws and conducts audits and reviews of state operations. Serves on the Board of Equalization, the Board of Control, and other boards and commissions. (Source: California Official Voter Information Guide (opens in a new tab))
As the state’s banker, manages the state’s investments, and administers the sale of state bonds and notes. Serves on several commissions, most of which are related to the marketing of bonds. Pays out state funds when spent by the Controller and other state agencies. (Source: California Official Voter Information Guide (opens in a new tab))
As the state's chief law officer, ensures that state laws are enforced and investigates fraudulent or illegal activities. Heads the Department of Justice, which provides state government legal services and represents the state in civil and criminal court cases. Oversees law enforcement agencies, including county district attorneys and sheriffs. (Source: California Official Voter Information Guide (opens in a new tab))
Heads the Department of Insurance, which enforces California insurance laws and adopts regulations to implement the laws. Licenses, regulates, and examines insurance companies. Answers public questions and complaints about the insurance industry. (Source: California Official Voter Information Guide (opens in a new tab))
Serves on the Board of Equalization, the state's elected tax commission, which: Assesses the property of regulated railroads and specific public utilities, and assesses and collects the private railroad car tax. Oversees the assessment practices of the state's 58 county assessors. Assesses and collects the alcoholic beverage tax, and jointly administers the tax on insurers. (Source: California Official Voter Information Guide (opens in a new tab))
Vote yes or no on each justice.
Under the California Constitution, justices of the Supreme Court and the courts of appeal are subject to confirmation by the voters. The public votes “yes” or “no” on whether to retain each justice. (Source: California Official Voter Information Guide (opens in a new tab))
Associate Justice, Supreme Court of California, from 2023 to present
Professional bio (opens in a new tab)Associate Justice, Supreme Court of California, from 2018 to present
Professional bio (opens in a new tab)Vote yes or no on each justice.
As with the justices in the state’s Supreme Court, justices in the district courts face regular retention elections (opens in a new tab). These are elections to check whether the voters think that a justice is serving all Californians. Voters simply vote whether a justice should continue to serve (by voting “yes”) or should be replaced (by voting “no”). If the majority votes “no,” the justice will complete their current term and then the governor will nominate a new justice (opens in a new tab).
Confirmed to the 6th District Court of Appeal in 2023
Ballotpedia (opens in a new tab)Professional bio (opens in a new tab)Confirmed to the 6th District Court of Appeal in 2021
Ballotpedia (opens in a new tab)Professional bio (opens in a new tab)Confirmed to the 6th District Court of Appeal in 2018
Ballotpedia (opens in a new tab)Professional bio (opens in a new tab)Serves as the state’s independently elected nonpartisan voice for the public interest in the governance of the state’s educational systems. Represents the public interest through advocacy with the Legislature and the Governor on areas of high public concern and recommendations for addressing identified challenges. Serves as a voting member of governing boards of the state’s transitional kindergarten through higher education systems. (Source: California Official Voter Information Guide (opens in a new tab))
On your ballot only if you live in Foothill-De Anza Community College District Area 4.
On your ballot only if you live in Gavilan Joint Community College District Area 3.
On your ballot only if you live in San José-Evergreen Community College District Area 2.
San José-Evergreen trustee from 2018 to present
Candidate website (opens in a new tab)Three of the seven seats on the district board are up for election this year.
On your ballot only if you live in West Valley-Mission Community College District Area 3.
WVMCCD trustee from 2014 to present; current board president
Candidate website (opens in a new tab)Endorsements (opens in a new tab)On your ballot only if you live in West Valley-Mission Community College District Area 7.
Two of the five seats on the board are up for election in 2026.
On your ballot only if you live in San José Unified Trustee Area 2.
SJUSD trustee from 2019 to present
Candidate website (opens in a new tab)Endorsements (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey (opens in a new tab)On your ballot only if you live in San José Unified Trustee Area 4.
Four of the seven seats on the school board were up for election this year. However, three of the four trustees (Vickie Fairchild for area 3, Andrew Ratermann for area 4, and Jodi Muirhead for area 6) currently holding those seats faced no opposition, and so their elections were canceled.
On your ballot only if you live in Santa Clara Unified School District Area 1.
Santa Clara Unified trustee from 1992 to present
Four of the seven seats on the board are up for election in 2026.
On your ballot only if you live in Morgan Hill Unified School District Area 1.
Morgan Hill Unified trustee from 2022 to present
Candidate website (opens in a new tab)Endorsements (opens in a new tab)On your ballot only if you live in Morgan Hill Unified School District Area 2.
Morgan Hill Unified trustee from 2019 to present
Candidate website (opens in a new tab)Endorsements (opens in a new tab)On your ballot only if you live in Morgan Hill Unified School District Area 3.
Morgan Hill Unified trustee from 2024 to present
Candidate website (opens in a new tab)Endorsements (opens in a new tab)On your ballot only if you live in Morgan Hill Unified School District Area 4.
Three of the five seats on the board were up for election in 2026. Anthony Montes ran unopposed for District 2, and that election has been canceled. The District 1 election is a special election for a shorter term.
On your ballot only if you live in East Side Union High School District Area 1.
On your ballot only if you live in East Side Union High School District Area 4.
East Side trustee from 2019 to present
Candidate website (opens in a new tab)Endorsements (opens in a new tab)Three of the five seats on the board were up for election in 2026. Stanley Kou ran unopposed for Area 1, and that election has been canceled.
On your ballot only if you live in Fremont Union High School District Area 3.
Fremont Union trustee from 2018 to present
Candidate website (opens in a new tab)Endorsements (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey (opens in a new tab)On your ballot only if you live in Fremont Union High School District Area 4.
Fremont Union trustee from 2018 to present
Candidate website (opens in a new tab)Endorsements (opens in a new tab)Three of the five seats on the board were up for election in 2026. Darcie Green ran unopposed for Area 1, and that election has been canceled.
On your ballot only if you live in Alum Rock Union School District Area 3.
Alum Rock trustee from 2012 to present
Candidate website (opens in a new tab)Endorsements (opens in a new tab)On your ballot only if you live in Alum Rock Union School District Area 5.
Alum Rock trustee from 2019 to present
Endorsements (opens in a new tab)Three of the five seats on the board are up for election in 2026. Elections are at-large.
On your ballot if you live in Berryessa Union School District.
Vote for no more than 3.
Berryessa trustee from 2022 to present; board president
Candidate website (opens in a new tab)Endorsements (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey (opens in a new tab)Berryessa trustee from 2019 to present
Candidate website (opens in a new tab)Endorsements (opens in a new tab)Berryessa trustee from 2025 to present
Candidate website (opens in a new tab)Endorsements (opens in a new tab)On your ballot if you live in Cambrian School District (Cambrian area).
Three of the five seats on the board are up for election in 2026. Elections are at-large.
Vote for no more than 3.
Cambrian trustee from 2014 to present
Cambrian trustee from 2025 to present; board clerk
Three of the five seats on the board were up for election in 2026. Richard Nguyen ran unopposed for Area 1, and that election has been canceled.
On your ballot only if you live in Campbell Union School District Area 4.
Campbell Union trustee from 2019 to present
Candidate website (opens in a new tab)Endorsements (opens in a new tab)On your ballot only if you live in Campbell Union School District Area 5.
Campbell Union trustee from Mar 2026 to present
Candidate website (opens in a new tab)Endorsements (opens in a new tab)Three of the five seats on the board are up for election in 2026. Elections are at-large.
On your ballot if you live in Evergreen School District.
Vote for no more than 3.
Three of the five seats on the board are up for election in 2026. Elections are at-large.
On your ballot if you live in Franklin-McKinley School District.
Vote for no more than 3.
Franklin-McKinley trustee from 2022 to present
Candidate website (opens in a new tab)Endorsements (opens in a new tab)Franklin-McKinley trustee from 2022 to present
Franklin-McKinley trustee from 2010 to present
Endorsements (opens in a new tab)Three of the five seats on the board are up for election in 2026.
On your ballot only if you live in Oak Grove School District Area 2.
Oak Grove trustee from 2022 to present
On your ballot only if you live in Oak Grove School District Area 3.
Oak Grove trustee from 2025 to present
Candidate website (opens in a new tab)Endorsements (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey (opens in a new tab)On your ballot only if you live in Oak Grove School District Area 5.
On your ballot if you live in Orchard School District (North San José).
Three of the five seats on the board are up for election in 2026. Elections are at-large.
Vote for no more than 3.
Orchard trustee from 2022 to present
Orchard School District trustee from 2022 to Sep 2026
Orchard School District, on the passing of Renee Lo (opens in a new tab)Orchard trustee from 2019 to present
Five of the ten seats are up in 2026. Incumbents in Districts 1 and 3 won their primaries outright in June. Districts 5, 7, and 9 will have top-two runoffs in November. District 9's incumbent, Vice Mayor Pam Foley, is ineligible for reelection due to term limits.
CreaTV, Northern California Public Media, and the League of Women Voters recorded conversations with each candidate separately as a candidate forum.
On your ballot only if you live in San José City Council District 5.
On your ballot only if you live in San José City Council District 7.
On your ballot only if you live in San José City Council District 9.
Lets the state borrow $11.25 billion through bonds for housing affordability programs, including rental housing, veterans' mortgages, supportive housing, preserving existing affordable housing and downpayment help. Repaying the bonds would cost the state $500 million to $600 million a year for about 25 years.
Yes
The state could borrow $11.25 billion for veterans and affordable housing.
No
The state could not borrow the $11.25 billion.
Requires the state to keep saving in its Rainy Day Fund until the fund reaches 20% of General Fund taxes, up from 10%, so there's more money for education, health care, public safety and other services during economic downturns. It also requires the state to make extra debt payments for longer.
Yes
State budget reserves would be higher, and the state would have to make extra debt payments for longer.
No
The rules for budget reserves and extra debt payments would stay the same.
Makes permanent the higher income tax rates on people earning over $371,000 a year (adjusted for inflation). Voters approved these rates in 2012, and they're now set to expire in 2031. The tax brings in $5 billion to $15 billion a year. About 40% would go to schools and community colleges and the rest to other state programs.
Yes
The income tax increase on high-income earners, in place since 2012, would become permanent.
No
The income tax increase on high-income earners would expire in 2031.
Lifts the ban on state and local governments using public money to fund candidates' campaigns, so they could create public financing programs in the future. It doesn't create a program itself, and money set aside for education, transportation or public safety couldn't be used.
Yes
State and local governments could create public campaign financing programs for candidates, within limits on which public funds are used, how they're used and who can receive them.
Supporters
No
The state and most local governments still could not create public campaign financing programs.
Removes the second question, who should replace the official, from recall elections for state offices, so voters would only decide whether to remove the official. A recalled legislator's seat would usually be filled by a special election, and most other offices by the governor's appointment. A recalled governor would be replaced by the lieutenant governor, at least until a later election.
Yes
Recall elections would no longer ask who should fill the vacancy; it would usually be filled by a special election or appointment.
No
Recall elections would continue to ask voters who should fill the vacancy.
Lets the state sell up to $25 billion in bonds to make low-cost loans covering up to 17% of the price of a newly built home under about $1.5 million. Buyers must live in the home, put at least 3% down, and earn no more than double their area's typical income. Buyers' loan payments, not the state, would repay the bonds.
Yes
The state would create a new homebuying assistance program, funded by up to $25 billion in bonds repaid by homeowners' loan payments.
No
The state would not be required to create a new homebuying assistance program.
Lets the state borrow $8.4 billion through bonds for immunology and immunotherapy research. Half would go to a single nonprofit research institute affiliated with the University of California, and half to research grants. Repaying the bonds would cost the state $500 million to $600 million a year for about 20 years.
Yes
The state could borrow $8.4 billion for immunology and immunotherapy research by California research institutes and universities.
No
The state could not borrow $8.4 billion for this research.
Requires voters to show government-issued ID to vote in person, and to write the last four digits of an ID number on mail ballot envelopes, or the ballot won't count. Election officials would also have to check voters' citizenship using government data, and the state would offer a free voter ID card.
Yes
Voters would have to give elections officials additional identifying information each time they vote.
No
Voters' identity would still be confirmed with their signature.
Opponents
Imposes a one-time tax of 5% of net worth on billionaires who lived in California on January 1, 2026, due in 2027. Real estate, pensions and retirement accounts generally wouldn't count toward net worth. It would likely raise tens of billions of dollars. 90% must go to health care, and the rest to education, food assistance and running the tax.
Yes
The state would collect a one-time tax from billionaires equal to 5% of their wealth.
Requires the State Auditor to audit programs funded by new special taxes: once before a tax proposed by initiative reaches the ballot, and every four years after any new special tax passes. It also cancels new state taxes enacted after January 1, 2026 that exempt their revenue from the state spending limit.
Yes
The State Auditor would review programs funded by special taxes, before the election for taxes proposed by initiative and regularly after they pass. The state might not be able to exclude new special tax spending from its spending limit.
No
The State Auditor's role and the state spending limit rules would not change.
Bans any new state tax on owning personal property, which is everything other than real estate, such as stocks and investment accounts. It also limits new taxes that apply retroactively to past activities. Taxes enacted after January 1, 2026 that conflict with it would be canceled.
Yes
The state could not create new taxes on owning financial assets or other personal property.
No
The state could still choose to create new taxes on owning financial assets or other personal property.
Opponents
Local taxes for a specific purpose ("special taxes") normally need two-thirds voter approval. Courts have recently allowed special taxes that voters put on the ballot by petition to pass with a simple majority instead. Starting January 1, 2027, this would require two-thirds approval for those taxes too, whether new, increased or extended.
Yes
Certain local taxes would need two-thirds voter approval.
Supporters
No
Certain local taxes could still be approved by a majority of voters.
Opponents
Requires nonprofit community health clinics that serve underserved areas and people to spend at least 90% of their revenue each year on health care services, which limits administrative and other costs to 10%. A clinic that falls short would pay the difference to the state as a penalty, and would get it back if it complies within five years.
Yes
Certain private nonprofit clinics would have to spend at least 90% of their revenue each year on health care services.
No
The new clinic spending requirement would not take effect.
Opponents
Gives builders of certain projects, including most housing, transportation, water and health projects, the option of a faster review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). It sets binding deadlines for agencies to finish reviews and permits and for courts to resolve lawsuits, and narrows what reviews and courts consider.
Yes
Certain public and private projects could use new review procedures with tighter time limits and narrower court review.
No
Projects would continue to use the current review and court challenge procedures.
Adds a 0.5% sales tax in Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda and Contra Costa counties, and 1% in San Francisco, for 14 years. Raises about $980 million per year to prevent major service cuts to Caltrain, VTA, SamTrans, BART and other transit, and repair some local roads.
Yes
Increase sales taxes to fund transit.
On your ballot if you live in Orchard School District (North San José).
Sets a parcel tax of 4 cents per square foot of building, up to $89 a year for a residential parcel and $7,500 for a commercial parcel, for eight years starting July 1, 2027. It raises about $1.4 million a year for programs including science, technology, engineering, arts and math; reading and writing; and student mental health. Qualifying seniors and some people receiving SSI or SSDI benefits can be exempted.
Yes
The district sets a parcel tax of 4 cents per square foot, up to $89 a year for homes, for eight years.
No
The district does not set the parcel tax.
On your ballot if you live in Alum Rock Union School District (East San José).
Replaces the district's current $214.10-per-parcel tax, approved in 2022, with a $310-per-parcel tax for seven years starting July 1, 2027. It raises about $6.5 million a year for services for students with disabilities; reading, writing, math and science programs; hiring and keeping teachers; and students experiencing housing instability. Seniors can be exempted.
Yes
The current parcel tax is replaced with a $310-per-parcel tax for seven years.
No
The current $214.10 parcel tax stays in place until it expires.
On your ballot if you live in Alum Rock Union School District (East San José).
Authorizes $100 million in bonds to repair and upgrade school facilities, including roofs, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, safety systems, classrooms and restrooms. The tax to repay the bonds would average about $25.52 per $100,000 of assessed property value a year, through 2054.
Yes
The district may issue $100 million in bonds for facility repairs and upgrades.
No
The district cannot issue these bonds.
On your ballot if you live in Cambrian School District (Cambrian area).
Adds a new $148-per-parcel tax for eight years starting in the 2027–28 school year, adjusted each year for inflation. It raises about $1 million a year for core academic programs. Seniors 65 and older who own their homes can be exempted.
Yes
The district adds a $148-per-parcel tax for eight years.
No
The district does not add the new tax.