Signatures were submitted for a California initiative that would require rideshare companies to conduct background checks and investigations related to sexual assault. If enough signatures are validated, voters will decide on the initiative on Nov. 3, 2026.

The campaign supporting the initiative, Alliance Against Corporate Abuse, submitted approximately 1,100,000 signatures on April 23, 2026. In order to qualify for the California ballot, the initiative will need 546,651 valid signatures—equal to 5% of votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. The secretary of state will verify the signatures, and if enough are found valid, the initiative will make the ballot.

The initiative would require rideshare companies, such as Uber or Lyft, to conduct state and federal fingerprint-based background checks for all rideshare drivers. It would require investigations when the company receives sexual assault or misconduct allegations against a driver, as well as requiring rideshare companies to publish monthly reports of sexual misconduct incidents. It would require disclosure to passengers of internal risk assessments or hazard ratings related to a driver’s likelihood of sexual misconduct, and classify rideshare companies as common carriers, subjecting them to a higher legal scrutiny, similar to bus and taxi services.

Currently, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) regulates rideshare companies as transportation network companies (TNCs). TNCs are companies that "provide prearranged transportation services for compensation using an online-enabled application or platform (such as smartphone apps) to connect drivers using their personal vehicles with passengers." CPUC currently requires background checks but not fingerprints on drivers, as well as accessibility accommodations, safety reporting, and insurance requirements.

As of December 31, 2025, the Alliance Against Corporate Abuse reported $46.7 million in contributions. The top donor is the Consumer Attorneys of California Initiative Defense Political Action Committee, which contributed $30 million to the campaign.

Dan Newman, a spokesperson for the Alliance Against Corporate Abuse, said, “It's a clear pattern. Uber keeps trying - and failing - to evade accountability, silence critics, and prevent awareness of their massive sexual assault crisis. Our coalition of doctors, lawyers, and consumers is making clear that despite Uber’s endless checkbook, we will not let a multibillion-dollar corporation rig the system or escape responsibility.”

A spokesperson for A More Affordable California, sponsored by Uber—a competing measure currently cleared for signature gathering—said, “Consumer Attorneys of California didn’t spend millions to put this on the ballot to protect survivors — their goal is protecting billboard lawyer profits.” The competing measure would amend the state constitution to require car accident victims to receive at least 75% of the total amount of damages recovered, and prohibit referral agreements between personal injury law firms and medical care providers. The campaign received $32.5 million in contributions—all contributions coming from Uber.

California voters will decide at least five ballot propositions on Nov. 3, 2026—three originating from the state legislature, and two citizen-initiated measures. Along with the Alliance Against Corporate Abuse initiative, three other initiatives are currently having their signatures verified.