California Voters Pick Education Leaders, Funding Measures
Voters decided the governor's race, superintendent seat, and several tax and school bond measures on Election Day, November 3, 2026.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Administration
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Should California tax its wealthiest residents to fund public schools?
California voters chose between Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton for governor and between Sonja Shaw and Richard Barrera for superintendent of public instruction on November 3, 2026. Propositions on taxing top earners and billionaire assets were also on the ballot, alongside 87 school bonds.
Why it matters
Under legislation approved in July, the superintendent will no longer manage the California Department of Education and will instead become a voting member of the State Board of Education. The new governor will appoint an education commissioner to run the department, shifting education oversight for California residents.
Voters faced 87 school bonds averaging $144.5 million each, with bond costs added to homeowners' property taxes. Proposition 3 would continue a tax on the top 2% of earners set to expire in 2031, projected to add $5 billion to $15 billion annually, while final certified totals remain pending.
The players
Sonja Shaw
Shaw is a candidate for California superintendent of public instruction and a leader in the Chino Valley Unified School District.
Richard Barrera
Barrera is a candidate for California superintendent of public instruction and a leader in the San Diego Unified School District.
Xavier Becerra
Becerra is a candidate for California governor and a former state attorney general.
Steve Hilton
Hilton is a candidate for California governor and a former Fox News host.
The details
Voters chose between Becerra and Hilton for governor and between Shaw and Barrera for superintendent. Proposition 40 would impose a one-time 5% tax on billionaire assets, which the Legislative Analyst's Office projects could yield tens of billions of dollars.
Timeline
July 2026: Legislature approved the education oversight restructuring as part of budget negotiations.
November 3, 2026: Election Day vote on governor, superintendent, and propositions.
December 3, 2026: Counties must certify election results.
December 11, 2026: Secretary of State finalizes results.
January 1, 2027: New education oversight structure takes effect.
Season Trajectory
The July 2026 budget legislation shifted California's education oversight away from an elected superintendent running the Department of Education toward a governor-appointed commissioner. The November 2026 vote determines who holds the newly defined superintendent seat on the State Board of Education.
California homeowners will see school bond costs added to their property tax bills. The restructured education oversight takes effect January 1, 2027, changing who directs the California Department of Education.
The takeaway
Education leadership in California is moving from an elected superintendent to a governor-appointed commissioner, so residents should track who wins the governor's race and how the new structure is implemented starting in 2027.
What happens next
County certification of election results is due December 3, 2026, and the secretary of state will finalize results on December 11, 2026. The new education oversight structure takes effect January 1, 2027.
Further reading
Explore more on Administration for context on how California's education leadership structure is changing.
Live Poll
Should California tax its wealthiest residents to fund public schools?
