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Stories about California

California’s state legislators represent most residents per district

By Dave Beaudoin
In State
May 16, 2023 at 11:57 AM

After the 2020 census, California’s 40 state Senators represent an average of 989,419 people each. Each Senator in the 31-member Texas State Senate represents an average of 941,396 people. Both of those figures are larger than the average number of people represented by each member of the U.S. House of Representatives—761,169 people per district.

The largest ratio of population per member among state Representatives is also in California, where the Golden State’s 80 Assembly members represent an average of 494,709 people per district. Texas is again in second place as the 151 members of its state House represent an average of 194,555 people each.

On average, each of the country’s 1,973 state senators represent 167,820 people each after the 2020 census. The country’s 5,413 state representatives represent an average of 61,169 people each.

Among state Senates, North Dakota’s Senators represent the fewest people per district, an average of 16,589 per senator. Among state Representatives, New Hampshire’s represent the fewest at 3,448 people each.

Wyoming was the only state that changed its number of legislators after the 2020 census. The state added one Senate seat and two House of Representatives seats. All other states kept the number of legislators the same. Minnesota has the largest state Senate with 67 members, and New Hampshire has the largest state House with 400 members.

Forty-six of the 50 states had the average number of residents per legislator increase. In three states—Illinois, Mississippi, and West Virginia—this ratio decreased because they had lower populations after the 2020 census as compared with the 2010 census. In Wyoming, the ratio of population per legislator also decreased because that state increased its number of legislators.

Here are the states with the largest number of residents per state Senate district:

  • California – 989,419
  • Texas – 941,396
  • Florida – 539,263
  • Ohio – 357,844
  • New York – 320,885

Here are the states with the smallest number of residents per state Senate district:

  • North Dakota – 16,589
  • Wyoming – 18,636
  • Vermont – 21,450
  • Montana – 21,708
  • South Dakota – 25,365

Here are the states with the largest number of residents per state House district:

  • California – 494,709
  • Texas – 194,555
  • Florida – 179,754
  • New York – 134,772
  • Arizona – 119,315

Here are the states with the smallest number of residents per state House district:

  • New Hampshire – 3,448
  • Vermont – 4,290
  • North Dakota – 8,295
  • Maine – 9,030
  • Wyoming – 9,318


California parcel tax measures have an approval rate of 62% during odd-numbered years; in 2023, 89% have been approved so far

By Jackie Mitchell
In Ballot measures, Local
May 10, 2023 at 10:25 AM

From 2011 to 2021, voters decided 216 parcel tax-related ballot measures in California during odd-numbered year elections. Voters approved 133 (61.57%) and rejected 83 (38.43%). Through April, voters have decided on nine parcel tax ballot measures in California in 2023. Eight (88.89%) were approved, and one (11.11%) was defeated. This approval rate is higher than the average for odd-numbered years from 2011 to 2021.

On average, 36 parcel tax-related measures appeared on ballots in California during an odd-numbered year.

Parcel taxes are a form of special property tax, which must be paid by the owners of parcels, or units, of real estate. However, unlike standard property taxes, which are based on the value of the property, a parcel tax is an assessment based on the characteristics of the parcel. These assessments can include taxing a parcel based on square footage or by dwelling unit, or the tax may be a flat rate per parcel.

Parcel taxes can be imposed by public school districts and on other local units of government, including cities, counties, and special districts. California is the only state that allows parcel taxes as a method for funding schools.

Of the parcel taxes approved by voters in 2023, South Pasadena Unified School District had the highest parcel tax measure, which asked voters to renew a current parcel tax at a rate of $4,764 per parcel for seven years to provide education funding.

The one parcel tax measure that was defeated by voters would have established a tax based on the square foot of buildings ($0.32 per square foot of homes, $1.42 per square foot for lodging, and other rates) to provide funds to acquire, operate, and maintain the Napa County Fairgrounds.

The measure that had the highest vote of approval was in the Salmon Creek Fire Protection District in Humboldt County, which was approved with 111 (96%) voters in favor and five (4%) opposed. The measure enacted a $75 per year special tax for each parcel to fund the Salmon Creek Volunteer Fire Company.

In 2023, Ballotpedia is covering local ballot measures that appear on the ballot for voters within the 100 largest cities in the U.S., within state capitals, and throughout California. You can review the coverage scope of the local ballot measures project here. Ballotpedia is also covering a selection of election-related and policing-related ballot measures outside of the largest cities.

Additional reading:

Parcel tax elections in California



These 10 California contributors gave over $103.6 million

By Kalyn Stralow
In State
March 3, 2023 at 5:18 PM

In California politics, state-level candidates and political action committees have received $2.3 billion in total contributions between Jan. 1, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2022. The 10 largest contributors gave more than $103.6 million, or 5 percent of all contributions.

These are the top 10 individual contributors to California state-level candidates and committees in the 2022 election cycle, according to campaign finance reports submitted to the California Secretary of State:

Top 10 California Contributors (1/1/2021 – 12/31/2022)

Rank Contributor Name Total Contributions
1 Michael Bloomberg $53,670,424
2 Joseph Sanberg $11,000,000
3 John Cox $9,566,756
4 Cari Tuna $9,500,000
5 Reed Hastings $7,198,900
6 Austin Beutner $3,520,091
7 Jim Walton $2,652,951
8 Mark W Heising $2,509,700
9 Patty Quillin $2,259,700
10 Arthur Rock $1,747,700

The list of California contributors in this time period includes more than 4,607 individuals identified by name in the California Secretary of State’s public records.

The data above are based on campaign finance reports that active California committees submitted to the California Secretary of State. Political expenditures that are not controlled by candidates or their campaigns, known as satellite spending, are not included in candidate totals. Federal committees are not required to report to state agencies. Transparency USA publishes campaign finance data following major reporting deadlines.

This article is a joint publication from Ballotpedia and Transparency USA, who are working together to provide campaign finance information for state-level elections. Learn more about our work here.



The top fundraisers among California statewide elected offices

By Kalyn Stralow
In State
March 3, 2023 at 2:56 PM

Campaign finance requirements govern how much money candidates may receive from individuals and organizations, how often they must report those contributions, and how much individuals, organizations, and political entities may contribute to campaigns.

While campaign finance is not the only factor in electoral outcomes, successful fundraising can provide a candidate with advantages during a campaign. Fundraising can also indicate party momentum.

This article lists top fundraisers among California statewide officeholders and candidates, overall and by party. It is based on campaign finance reports that officeholders in and candidates for statewide elected offices submitted to the California Secretary of State. It includes activity between July 1, 2022, and Dec. 31, 2022.

Statewide political positions are typically offices in the executive and judicial branches of government rather than the legislative, and they most often represent all citizens in the state, rather than those in a particular district.

Top California statewide fundraisers by party

The top fundraisers among California statewide officeholders and candidates are shown below. Individuals are presented with the office that they were on the ballot for in 2022, if applicable. If no office is indicated, the person was an incumbent and was not on the ballot in 2022.

In the Democratic Party, the top fundraisers in the most recent semiannual reporting period were:

  • Gavin Newsom (Governor) – $6,606,954
  • Rob Bonta (Attorney General) – $1,709,331
  • Malia Cohen (Controller) – $1,120,962
  • Eleni Kounalakis (Lieutenant Governor) – $1,076,952
  • Fiona Ma (Treasurer) – $708,036

In the Republican Party, the top fundraisers in the most recent semiannual reporting period were:

  • Nathan Hochman (Attorney General) – $2,287,951
  • Lanhee Chen (Controller) – $2,275,718
  • Brian Dahle (Governor) – $1,116,742
  • Anthony Trimino (Governor) – $193,115
  • Angela Underwood Jacobs (Lieutenant Governor) – $71,179

Fundraising totals

Overall, Democratic officeholders and candidates raised $12.4 million in this period. Republican officeholders and candidates raised $6.1 million. Combined, all statewide officeholders and candidates in the July 1, 2022, through Dec. 31, 2022, filing period raised $19.0 million.

The five largest Democratic fundraisers were responsible for 91 percent of all Democratic statewide officeholder and candidate fundraising. The five largest Republican fundraisers were responsible for 98 percent of all Republican statewide officeholder and candidate fundraising.

The table below provides additional data from the campaign finance reports from the top 10 fundraisers during this period.

TOP 10 FUNDRAISERS – California STATEWIDE OFFICEHOLDERS AND CANDIDATES (July 1, 2022, through Dec. 31, 2022)
Name Party Affiliation Office Sought Raised Spent
Governor Gavin Newsom Democratic Party Governor $6,606,954 $23,707,998
Nathan Hochman Republican Party Attorney General $2,287,951 $3,141,456
Lanhee Chen Republican Party Controller $2,275,718 $8,262,020
Attorney General Rob Bonta Democratic Party Attorney General $1,709,331 $1,067,399
Controller Malia Cohen Democratic Party Controller $1,120,962 $1,950,889
Senator Brian Dahle Republican Party Governor $1,116,742 $2,005,480
Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis Democratic Party Lieutenant Governor $1,076,952 $294,423
Treasurer Fiona Ma Democratic Party Treasurer $708,036 $886,950
Superintendent of Schools Tony Thurmond Nonpartisan Superintendent of Public Instruction $359,740 $760,182
Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara Democratic Party Commissioner of Insurance $352,373 $303,275

Campaign finance reporting periods

The data above are based on campaign finance reports that candidate committees submitted to the California Secretary of State. Candidate committees represent individuals who have run for state or local office at any point, including past and present officeholders. This article does not include non-candidate committees. Transparency USA publishes campaign finance data following major reporting deadlines.

This article is a joint publication from Ballotpedia and Transparency USA, who are working together to provide campaign finance information for state-level elections. Learn more about our work here.



The top fundraisers in the California State Senate

By Kalyn Stralow
In State
February 27, 2023 at 2:56 PM

Campaign finance requirements govern how much money candidates may receive from individuals and organizations, how often they must report those contributions, and how much individuals, organizations, and political entities may contribute to campaigns.

While campaign finance is not the only factor in electoral outcomes, successful fundraising can provide a candidate with advantages during a campaign. Fundraising can also indicate party momentum.

This article lists top fundraisers in the California State Senate, overall and by party. It is based on campaign finance reports that officeholders in and candidates for the State Senate submitted to the California Secretary of State. It includes activity between July 1, 2022, and Dec. 31, 2022.

Top fundraisers in the California State Senate by party

The top fundraisers in California State Senate elections are shown below. Individuals are presented with the office that they were on the ballot for in 2022, if applicable.

In the Democratic Party, the top fundraisers in the most recent semiannual reporting period were:

  • Melissa Hurtado (District 16) – $4,366,348
  • Catherine Blakespear (District 38) – $3,901,905
  • Joseph Rocha (District 40) – $1,277,663
  • Dave Jones (District 8) – $1,081,012
  • Caroline Menjivar (District 20) – $830,236

In the Republican Party, the top fundraisers in the most recent semiannual reporting period were:

  • Matt Gunderson (District 38) – $2,175,606
  • Brian Dahle – $1,116,742
  • Janet Nguyen (District 36) – $1,047,499
  • David Shepard (District 16) – $1,000,852
  • Brian Jones (District 40) – $724,563

Fundraising totals

Overall, Democratic officeholders and candidates raised $21.6 million in this period. Republican officeholders and candidates raised $7.7 million. Combined, all State Senate fundraisers in the July 1, 2022, through Dec. 31, 2022, filing period raised $29.4 million.

The five largest Democratic fundraisers were responsible for 53 percent of all Democratic State Senate fundraising. The five largest Republican fundraisers were responsible for 78 percent of all Republican State Senate fundraising.

The table below provides additional data from the campaign finance reports from the top 10 fundraisers during this period.

TOP 10 FUNDRAISERS – CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE (July 1, 2022, through Dec. 31, 2022)
Name Party Affiliation Raised Spent
Melissa Hurtado Democratic Party $4,366,348 $5,726,067
Catherine Blakespear Democratic Party $3,901,905 $4,541,835
Matt Gunderson Republican Party $2,175,606 $3,390,574
Joseph Rocha Democratic Party $1,277,663 $20
Brian Dahle Republican Party $1,116,742 $2,005,480
Dave Jones Democratic Party $1,081,012 $2,312,866
Janet Nguyen Republican Party $1,047,499 $1,048,823
David Shepard Republican Party $1,000,852 $1,150,868
Caroline Menjivar Democratic Party $830,236 $1,148,438
Brian Jones Republican Party $724,563 $1,685,335

Campaign finance reporting periods

The data above are based on campaign finance reports that candidate committees submitted to the California Secretary of State. Candidate committees represent individuals who have run for state or local office at any point, including past and present officeholders. This article does not include non-candidate committees. Transparency USA publishes campaign finance data following major reporting deadlines.

This article is a joint publication from Ballotpedia and Transparency USA, who are working together to provide campaign finance information for state-level elections. Learn more about our work here.



The top fundraisers in the California Assembly

By Kalyn Stralow
In State
February 27, 2023 at 2:56 PM

Campaign finance requirements govern how much money candidates may receive from individuals and organizations, how often they must report those contributions, and how much individuals, organizations, and political entities may contribute to campaigns.

While campaign finance is not the only factor in electoral outcomes, successful fundraising can provide a candidate with advantages during a campaign. Fundraising can also indicate party momentum.

This article lists top fundraisers in the California State Assembly, overall and by party. It is based on campaign finance reports that officeholders in and candidates for the Assembly submitted to the California Secretary of State. It includes activity between July 1, 2022, and Dec. 31, 2022.

Top fundraisers in the California State Assembly by party

The top fundraisers in California State Assembly elections are shown below. Individuals are presented with the office that they were on the ballot for in 2022, if applicable.

In the Democratic Party, the top fundraisers in the most recent semiannual reporting period were:

  • Ken Cooley (District 7) – $3,909,548
  • Esmeralda Soria (District 27) – $3,053,320
  • Christy Holstege (District 47) – $2,568,196
  • Pilar Schiavo (District 40) – $1,876,585
  • Brian Maienschein (District 76) – $1,169,747

In the Republican Party, the top fundraisers in the most recent semiannual reporting period were:

  • Greg Wallis (District 47) – $1,350,612
  • Suzette Martinez Valladares (District 40) – $1,338,964
  • Josh Hoover (District 7) – $1,194,290
  • Mark Pazin (District 27) – $1,079,557
  • James Gallagher (District 3) – $681,598

Fundraising totals

Overall, Democratic officeholders and candidates raised $41.5 million in this period. Republican officeholders and candidates raised $12.2 million. Combined, all Assembly fundraisers in the July 1, 2022, through Dec. 31, 2022, filing period raised $53.7 million.

The five largest Democratic fundraisers were responsible for 30 percent of all Democratic House fundraising. The five largest Republican fundraisers were responsible for 46 percent of all Republican Assembly fundraising.

The table below provides additional data from the campaign finance reports from the top 10 fundraisers during this period.

TOP 10 FUNDRAISERS – CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY (July 1, 2022, through Dec. 31, 2022)
Name Party Affiliation Raised Spent
Ken Cooley Democratic Party $3,909,548 $6,404,806
Esmeralda Soria Democratic Party $3,053,320 $1,353,264
Christy Holstege Democratic Party $2,568,196 $2,744,116
Pilar Schiavo Democratic Party $1,876,585 $1,531,403
Greg Wallis Republican Party $1,350,612 $1,006,795
Suzette Martinez Valladares Republican Party $1,338,964 $1,589,419
Josh Hoover Republican Party $1,194,290 $1,596,419
Brian Maienschein Democratic Party $1,169,747 $2,193,353
Mark Pazin Republican Party $1,079,557 $1,193,417
Rick Chavez Zbur Democratic Party $817,405 $1,377,007

Campaign finance reporting periods

The data above are based on campaign finance reports that candidate committees submitted to the California Secretary of State. Candidate committees represent individuals who have run for state or local office at any point, including past and present officeholders. This article does not include non-candidate committees. Transparency USA publishes campaign finance data following major reporting deadlines.

This article is a joint publication from Ballotpedia and Transparency USA, who are working together to provide campaign finance information for state-level elections. Learn more about our work here.



Voters in Redondo Beach, California will decide on six local ballot measures, including ranked-choice voting, on March 7

By Victoria Antram
In Ballot measures
February 27, 2023 at 11:46 AM

Voters in Redondo Beach, California, will decide on five charter amendments and one ordinance at an election on March 7. Charter Amendment 1 would make the following changes to the bid process for public works projects:

  1. increase the threshold for public works projects required to go through the formal bidding process from $50,000 to $200,000;
  2. allow public works projects under $200,000 to be awarded according to an informal bidding process;
  3. allow public works projects under $60,000 to be completed by city employees; and
  4. allow the city council to change the bid minimums by at most 25% and no more frequently than five years by a four-fifths council vote.

Charter Amendment 2 would allow the city to pay a deposit before supplies, materials, property, or services have been actually delivered or rendered.

Charter Amendment 3 would change language in the charter to gender-neutral.

Charter Amendment 4 would remove the mayoral signature requirement on all contracts, ordinances, resolutions, and warrants, and allow the city council to authorize the city manager or another officer to sign such documents. 

Charter Amendment 5 would adopt ranked-choice voting for city elections. ​​City Councilmember Laura Emdee, who supports the change, said, “Runoff elections are expensive and have historically been hostile. Runoff elections also tend to have lower voter turnout than the city’s March general election. Using instant runoff, Redondo Beach will experience more amicable campaigns at a lower cost.” Seven cities in California have adopted ranked-choice voting, including Oakland, San Francisco, San Leandro, Berkeley, Albany, Eureka, and Palm Desert.

Measure CT would authorize the city to enact a cannabis and hemp business tax ranging from 3% to 9% of gross receipts for retail sales and a tax on cannabis testing labs at a rate between 1% to 3% of gross receipts.

All polls in California are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on election day.



Support and opposition campaigns amassed $724.8 million in California for 2022 ballot measures

By Victoria Antram
In Ballot measures
February 16, 2023 at 8:39 PM

In 2022, campaigns supporting and opposing the seven ballot measures that appeared on the general election ballot amassed $724.8 million in contributions. This is an average of $103.5 million per measure, which is the highest average for California ballot measures between 2016 and 2022.

In 2022, the most expensive ballot measures were Proposition 26 and Proposition 27, with supporters and opponents receiving a combined $463.4 million. They are also the most expensive ballot measures in California from 1999 to the present. Both measures, which related to sports betting legalization, were defeated in November. Behind Propositions 26 and 27, campaigns surrounding Proposition 22, a 2020 measure related to app-based drivers and labor regulations, raised a combined total of $224.2 million.

The most expensive campaign was in support of Proposition 27, which received $169.1 million. The top donors to the committee were FanDuel ($35.0 million) and DraftKings ($34.1 million). Opposing campaigns raised a combined total of $249.3 million. The top donors were the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians ($103.1 million) and Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria ($31.9 million).

Committees supporting and opposing Proposition 26, which was the American Indian-sponsored sports betting measure, received $177.2 million.

The next most expensive ballot measure in 2022 was Proposition 29, which was defeated and related to dialysis clinic requirements. The PAC registered to support the measure received $7.9 million from SEIU-UHW West. The opposition PAC received $74.6 million in contributions. The top donors were DaVita, Inc. ($52.7 million) and Fresenius Medical Care ($27.3 million).

The year with the least amount of contributions between 2016 and 2022 was 2018 when $369.3 million was raised to support or oppose 16 ballot measures. The average amount raised per measure was about $23.1 million.

Campaigns behind the seven ballot measures that have qualified for the 2024 ballot in California have raised $101.3 million as of the latest campaign finance filings which covered through December 31, 2022.

Additional reading:



Initiative to increase the vote threshold for new or increased taxes in California qualifies for the 2024 ballot

By Victoria Antram
In Ballot measures
February 3, 2023 at 11:06 AM

An initiated constitutional amendment to increase the vote threshold for new or increased state and local taxes has qualified for the Nov. 2024 ballot in California. On Feb. 2, the secretary of state reported that after a full check of signatures, the campaign had submitted 1,075,585 valid signatures exceeding the 997,139 valid signatures required to qualify for the ballot.

In California, an initial random sample count is conducted to verify signatures. If the random sample count does not find more than 110% of the required number of signatures are valid, then a full check is conducted. Californians for Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability filed the initiative in November 2021 and submitted more than 1.4 million signatures in August 2022. The campaign initially targeted the 2022 ballot but missed the June 30 signature submission deadline. 

The initiative would amend the California Constitution to state that “every levy, charge, or exaction of any kind imposed by state law is either a tax or an exempt charge” and define local taxes in the same manner. The amendment would require a law proposing or increasing a tax to include the duration of the imposition of the tax, an estimate of the annual revenue from the tax, a statement regarding the use of the revenue whether for specific or general purposes, and the ballot title and summary for the tax measure question. 

Under the amendment, new or increased taxes must be passed by a two-thirds legislative vote in each chamber and approved by a simple majority of voters. The amendment would also increase the vote requirement for local taxes proposed by local government or citizens to a two-thirds vote of the local electorate. The increased vote requirements for new or higher taxes would not apply to citizen-initiated state ballot measures.

Currently, state tax increases require approval by a two-thirds vote in each chamber or a simple majority vote at a statewide election. Taxes can be reduced with a simple majority legislative vote.

The initiative has received endorsements from California Business Roundtable, California NAIOP, and Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. As of the latest campaign finance filings submitted on Jan. 31, Californians for Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability had received nearly $16.4 million in contributions.

The campaign said, “The Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act will give voters the right to vote on all future state taxes and holds politicians accountable for new fees and other increased costs paid by working families and all Californians.”

The initiative is opposed by AFSCME California, California Contract Cities Association, California Professional Firefighters, California State Council of Laborers, SEIU California State Council, and League of California Cities.

Graham Knaus, executive director of the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), said, “This deceptive initiative would undermine the rights of local voters and their elected officials to make decisions on critical local services that residents rely upon. It creates major new tax loopholes at the expense of residents and will weaken our local services and communities.”

The initiative is the sixth measure to qualify for the California ballot in 2024. The state legislature voted to refer a constitutional amendment to the March 2024 ballot that would repeal the local voter requirement for publicly-funded housing projects classified as low rent.

The other four measures are eligible to appear on the November 2024 ballot and are all citizen initiatives. The measures address creating a pandemic prevention institute, the state’s minimum wage, remediation for labor law violations, and regulation of fast-food working conditions.

Between 2010 and 2022, an average of nine initiatives qualified for California statewide ballots.

Additional reading:



California voters will decide on a referendum to repeal a law governing fast-food working conditions in 2024

By Victoria Antram
In Ballot measures
January 26, 2023 at 11:26 AM

On Jan. 24, the California secretary of state announced that a veto referendum filed to repeal Assembly Bill 257 (AB 257) had qualified for the November 2024 ballot. 

AB 257 would enact the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act (FAST Recovery Act), which was passed along party lines and signed into law on Sept. 5, 2022. The act would authorize the creation of the fast-food council, within the Department of Industrial Relations, composed of 10 members including fast-food restaurant franchisors, franchisees, employees, advocates for employees, and a representative from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. AB 257 would also authorize the council to adopt a minimum wage for fast-food restaurant employees not to exceed $22 per hour in 2023 with adjustments annually.

The fast-food council would not be allowed to promulgate rules or standards concerning working conditions until the Director of Industrial Relations received a petition approving the creation of the council signed by at least 10,000 California fast-food restaurant employees. The law would authorize the labor commissioner and the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement to enforce the regulations adopted by the state council. The labor commissioner would be required to investigate alleged violations and order appropriate remediation.

In California, the number of signatures required for a veto referendum is equal to 623,212 (5% of the votes cast in the preceding gubernatorial election). Save Local Restaurants, the campaign behind the repeal of the law, filed over 1 million signatures on Dec. 5, 2022. 

On Dec. 29, Save Local Restaurants filed a lawsuit against Director of the California Department of Industrial Relations Katie Hagen, California Secretary of State Shirley Weber (D), and California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) asking the court to stop the state from enforcing the law, set to take effect Jan. 1, until the signature verification process was complete for the petition. On Jan. 13, Sacramento Superior Court Judge Shelleyanne W.L. Chang granted a preliminary injunction keeping the bill from taking effect until the petition is verified by the state.

On Jan. 24, the secretary of state reported that the final random sample count contained at least 712,568 valid signatures.

Save Local Restaurants said in a statement, “During the highest inflation in more than four decades, consumers want to know that the restaurant meals they need in their busy lives will continue to be affordable, and that the jobs their communities rely on will still be there. Before they lose the brands that they love, voters will get the chance to have their say.”

The campaign has been endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Restaurant Association PAC, and International Franchise Association Franchising PAC. The top donors to the committee funding the campaign include Chipotle Mexican Grill, In-N-Out Burgers, Starbucks, Yum! Brands, and Wing Stop.

Assemblyman Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), the author of AB 257 and a former fast-food franchisee, said, “AB 257 creates minimum standards for wages and work conditions, protects workers from being fired for organizing and establishes sectoral organizing with a fast food worker council. I’m proud to have ushered an inclusive approach to the industry by giving employees the chance to be included in a process that has always impacted them.” 

SEIU California State Council, California Employment Lawyers Association, California Labor Federation, and Gig Workers Rising support upholding AB 257.

Four other ballot measures have qualified for the ballot in 2024 in California. In March, voters will decide on a legislatively referred constitutional amendment to repeal a constitutional requirement that voters approve publicly-funded housing projects classified as low rent.

Three other citizen initiatives will be on the ballot in November:

  • A combined statute and a constitutional amendment to create a state Pandemic Early Detection and Prevention Institute
  • A statute to increase the state minimum wage to $18 by 2026
  • A statute to repeal the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) and replaces it with a new process for remedying labor violations

In California, a total of 402 ballot measures appeared on statewide ballots between 1985 and 2022. Two hundred thirty-one ballot measures were approved, and 171 ballot measures were defeated.

Additional reading: