California voters will decide in November whether state and local governments should be allowed to create public financing programs for candidates running for office.

Proposition 4 would repeal California’s current prohibition on public money being used to finance candidate campaigns. The measure would not automatically create a statewide public campaign financing program. Instead, it would give state and local governments the authority to establish such programs under specified rules.

The proposal places limits on what money could be used. Funds earmarked for education, transportation or public safety could not be diverted into a public campaign financing program. Candidates receiving public funds also would have to meet eligibility requirements and comply with spending limits established under the program.

The measure also restricts how public campaign funds could be spent. Public money could not be used to pay legal defense costs or fines or to repay personal loans that candidates made to their campaigns.

The fiscal impact is relatively limited unless governments later choose to create financing programs. The state estimates the Fair Political Practices Commission would incur ongoing costs of several hundred thousand dollars each year to answer questions and provide guidance about public campaign financing systems.

For Irvine voters, Proposition 4 is relevant because it would change what local governments are legally permitted to do in future elections. Irvine would not automatically begin financing campaigns if the proposition passes. A separate local decision would still be required to establish a program and determine how it would operate and be funded.

The issue arrives as Irvine voters are also considering local election rules in 2026, including Measure D concerning ranked-choice voting for future mayoral and City Council elections. The two measures address different subjects, but both concern the rules governing elections rather than choosing a particular candidate.

What Irvine voters should watch

• A vote on Proposition 4 is not a vote to create a specific public campaign financing program in Irvine.
• Passage would give state and local governments the option to establish such programs later.
• Money dedicated to education, transportation and public safety would be protected from use in those programs.
• Any future Irvine program would require additional local action and would have to operate within the restrictions established by state law.

What happens next?

If Proposition 4 passes, California’s prohibition would be removed and governments could consider public campaign financing programs. If it fails, the state and most local governments would remain prohibited from creating them.