Proposition 4: Repeals Prohibition Against Public Funding of Election Campaigns

Presented by Robbie Davis, LWV Pasadena Proposition 4 is a legislative statute on California’s November 3, 2026 ballot. It would repeal the current statewide prohibition on public financing of election campaigns and allow the state, counties, districts, and general-law cities to create public campaign-financing programs. Charter cities are already permitted to establish such programs. Proposition 4 would not itself create or fund a public campaign-financing program. Any future program would have to be separately established. Public financing programs could not use money earmarked for education, transportation, or public safety, and participating candidates would be subject to eligibility requirements and spending limits. The measure would also increase certain fines involving illegal campaign contributions or expenditures by specified foreign entities. Arguments in favor: Supporters say Proposition 4 would give communities the option to create public financing systems that could help qualified candidates compete without relying as heavily on wealthy donors and special interests and could broaden participation in campaign giving. Arguments against: Opponents say taxpayers should not be required to finance candidates or political speech they may oppose and argue that public financing programs could create additional costs or opportunities for misuse. The Legislative Analyst estimates ongoing state costs of a few hundred thousand dollars per year for the Fair Political Practices Commission to provide legal guidance regarding public campaign-financing programs. The cost of any future public financing programs would depend on decisions made later by state or local governments. A YES vote allows state and local governments to create public campaign-financing programs, subject to restrictions and eligibility requirements. A NO vote keeps the current prohibition in place for the state and most local governments. California Voter Information Guide For the complete nonpartisan Pros & Cons analysis from the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund: Proposition 4 — LWV California Education Fund Pros & Cons: https://cavotes.org/ballot-measure/20... For the official state voter guide: California Official Voter Information Guide — Proposition 4: https://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/proposi... More information: Donate to the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles County: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/MB... League of Women Voters of Los Angeles County: https://lwvlacounty.org Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk election information: https://www.lavote.gov/home/voting-el... Vote 411: https://www.vote411.org USE OF THIS VIDEO: This presentation was produced by the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles County for voter education. If reproduced, shared, embedded, or rebroadcast, the video must be presented in its entirety and may not be edited, excerpted, clipped, altered, or used in a manner that could misrepresent the content or the League’s presentation. Unauthorized use of excerpts or edited portions is not approved by the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles County. For permission requests, please contact the League directly.