FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE from California Clean Money
Campaign
October 13, 2025 Contact: Trent Lange (310) 428-1556
California Fair Elections Act Going to the November 2026
Ballot after Governor Newsom signs SB 42
SACRAMENTO, CA -- Supporters of Senate Bill 42, the
California Fair Elections Act, celebrate Governor
Gavin Newsom's signature on the legislation, which will
appear on the November 2026 ballot.
Authored by Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana)
and jointly authored by Senator Ben Allen (D-El
Segundo), Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside),
and Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-San Jose), the
measure restores the ability of local and state authority
to establish public financing programs while setting basic
requirements that public financing systems and candidates
must follow to protect taxpayers and maximize the benefit
to voters.
"SB 42 gives power back to the people. By placing the
question of public campaign financing on the 2026 ballot,
we are giving Californians, not politicians or special
interests, the choice to decide how elections should be
financed in our state," said Senator Umberg.
"This is about leveling the playing field, empowering
everyday voters and opening the door for more diverse
voices in public office."
SB 42 does not mandate public financing but gives voters
the choice to decide whether to repeal California's 1988
statewide prohibition. If approved in 2026, the measure
could help level the playing field, reduce the influence of
wealthy donors, and encourage a more diverse pool of
candidates to run for office.
Statements from Joint Authors and Supporters:
"Our democracy should not be for sale. Big Money is
drowning out the voices of everyday voters," said
Assemblymember Lee. "Public financing is the
reform we need to bring power back to the people and level
the playing field for grassroots candidates to run for
office. It will help rebuild voters' faith in democracy and
show that Big Money can't buy our elections."
"Voters across the political spectrum know that the
crushing expense of campaigning can prevent great
candidates from making it through the electoral
process," said Senator Allen. "The California
Fair Elections Act creates a path by enabling public
financing systems that reduce reliance on special interests
and amplify the voices of grassroots communities."
"I am proud to be part of the broad coalition supporting
Senate Bill 42," said Senator Cervantes.
"Next year, voters will have the chance to vote on the
California Fair Elections Act, which will give local
governments the option to adopt public financing systems
that will amplify the voices of Californian voters and open
the door for a greater diversity of candidates."
"Governor Newsom's signature on SB 42 to place
the California Fair Elections Act on the ballot will give
voters the chance to empower every jurisdiction in
California to strengthen democracy and reduce the power of
Big Money in politics by adopting public financing of
campaigns," said Trent Lange, President of the
California Clean Money Campaign, sponsor of SB 42.
"We -- and every Californian who cares about fair
elections -- owe a debt of gratitude to Governor
Newsom, SB 42 author Senator Tom Umberg, joint
authors Senator Ben Allen, Senator Sabrina
Cervantes, and Assemblymember Alex Lee, and all
the other leaders in the California Legislature who helped
make this victory possible."
"This is a historic day for California voters," said
Sean McMorris, Transparency, Ethics, and Accountability
Program Manager, California Common Cause, co-sponsor of
SB 42. They can now take back the power and decide how
elections are funded, giving everyday people more influence
in political outcomes."
"For years, the League of Women Voters of California has
fought to put voters -- not big donors -- at the center of
our democracy," said Dora Rose, Deputy Director, League
of Women Voters of California, co-sponsor of SB 42.
"With Senator Umberg's leadership and Governor
Newsom's signature on SB 42, Californians will have the
chance in 2026 to move toward elections where candidates
listen to voters instead of chasing money. This milestone
opens the door for women, people of color, and
working-class Californians to run and win -- and
strengthens the foundation of our democracy."
Trent Lange, PhD
President and Executive Director
California Clean Money Action Fund
Sponsor of SB 42, the California Fair Elections Act
(310) 428-1556
