CA Prop. 3: Real-Time Election Results

Voters have had their say on Proposition 3, which would make permanent state income tax rates that adjust upward for high wage-earners.

By Toni McAllister, Patch Staff

Nov 3, 2026 7:41 PM PST

According to the Legislative Analyst's Office, passing Prop. 3 would preserve $5 billion to $15 billion in annual state income tax revenue. (Patch Graphics)

SACRAMENTO, CA — The polls have closed, and results will soon start pouring in for the fate of Proposition 3, the ballot measure that would make permanent state income tax rates that adjust upward for high wage-earners.

In 2012, California voters passed Prop. 30, which implemented the sliding scale; in 2016, voters extended the measure (Prop. 55). But the progressive tax brackets, which require the wealthiest residents to pay more, are set to expire in 2031. Prop. 3, if passed, makes them permanent.

The Secretary of State and Patch will update the results throughout the night as votes are tallied; refresh this page for the latest updates.

Can't see the results? Click here for all November 3, 2026 California statewide ballot measure results.

Prop. 3, if passed, is a continuation of the state's existing tax scale. Today, for example, joint filers in California earning up to $22,000 annually pay a 1% personal income tax rate, compared to 12.3% for joint filers earning over $1.5 million per year. Prop. 3 would extend the brackets permanently.

Currently, state income tax rates adjust upward for high wage-earners under a measure approved by California voters in 2012 (Proposition 30) and extended in 2016 (Proposition 55). The bolded brackets above were added as a result of Prop. 30 and extended under Prop. 16. Proposition 3 would make these tax brackets permanent. (Image: California Secretary of State)

According to the Legislative Analyst's Office, passing Prop. 3 would preserve $5 billion to $15 billion in annual state income tax revenue.

California state income tax is the largest source of revenue for the state's General Fund, supplying nearly half of total state revenue. It pays for public education, health and human services programs, corrections and prisons, higher education, and the general operations of state government and local community assistance.

Prop. 3 maintains broad support among California leaders. Despite the tax implications for high earners, Building a Better California endorsed Prop. 3, stating revenues are needed "to protect funding for our schools and healthcare by maintaining the state's progressive income tax rates, which the wealthiest 2% have paid for 15 years."

But the measure's opponents argue that Prop. 3 could spur wealthy Californians to flee for lower-tax states, taking jobs and revenue with them. While California did experience a small exodus of wealthy residents following the 2012 passage of Prop. 30, the 2016 passage of Prop. 55 didn't have the same effect.

Despite predictions of mass millionaire flight after the 2016 extension, California's share of million-dollar tax filers actually expanded from roughly 14.9% in 2010 to over 16% in subsequent years.