Oakland voters will decide four local measures in the June 2 primary. The measures include two two parcel taxes, a business tax exemption, and a charter amendment affecting a city retirement board.
2026 Oakland Voices Voter Guide
Here’s a brief look at what each measure – Measures A, C, D, and E – would do, why it’s on the ballot, and what’s at stake. We’re also including resources to get more information.
- Measure E: establishes a new parcel tax to fund public safety, homelessness response, and other city services by raising approximately $34 million annually for nine years.
- Measure C: asks voters to provide temporary tax relief to certain small businesses and new businesses in Oakland by exempting them from the city’s business tax in 2027, which is estimated to cause a revenue loss of roughly $2.2 million.
- Measure A: renew an existing $48 annual parcel tax for nine years to support the Peralta Colleges, raising an estimated $8 million annually for academic programs, job training, student services, and faculty.
- Measure D: change the structure and operation of Oakland’s Police and Fire Retirement System board by expanding eligibility for certain seats and shifting required meetings from monthly to at least quarterly.
Measure E — Public Safety and City Services Parcel Tax
Should Oakland approve a new parcel tax to fund public safety, homelessness response, and other city services? ,
Measure E would establish a new tax of about $192 per year for single-family homes and varying amounts for other properties. The measure would raise roughly $34 million each year over nine years.
According to the ballot language, funds could be used for police and fire services, 911 response times, violence prevention, homelessness programs, and illegal dumping cleanup. Oversight and audits would be required.
Labor groups backed this voter initiative after city officials anticipated the need for new revenue due to a projected budget deficit.
Supporters, like the campaign committee, “Oaklanders for a Safe, Clean & Healthy City,” say the tax is needed to prevent budget cuts and stabilze the city’s finances. Critics like former City Councilmember Loren Taylor’s Empower Oakland argue that Oakland residents already face high taxes. They also question how the money will be actually spent and if the city will be accountable for spending.
Measure C — Temporary Business Tax Exemption
Measure C asks voters to provide temporary tax relief to certain small businesses and new businesses in Oakland.
Businesses with less than $1 million gross receipts, in certain sectors, would be exempt from paying the city’s business tax in 2027, for one year. New businesses opening in Oakland would receive a tax exemption on up to $1 million in taxes owed during their first year.
About 12,000 businesses could benefit, the city estimates, but the city would lose roughly $2.2 million in revenue that year.
Officials put the measure on the ballot as part of an effort to support small businesses and revitalize commercial corridors. The Oaklandside reports Measure C has been framed as a way to ease financial pressures on local businesses facing rising costs.
The measure could help businesses recover and attract new investments, supporters say. Opponents question the impact of temporary tax relief and lost revenue during a financial shortfall.
Measure D — Police and Fire Retirement Board Charter Amendment
Measure D changes to how Oakland’s Police and Fire Retirement System board is structured and operates. Sworn police and fire employees hired before 1976 chose not to transfer to California’s state retirement system. Members and beneficiaries receive retirement, disability, and death benefits.
The board has two challenges. Its challenging to recruit members because the average member age is 81 and many of the retirees no longer live in the Bay. Meeting in person is difficult.
The amendment to the city’s charter – like changing our local constitution – would expand eligibility for certain board seats. Individuals outside of PFRS could serve if there were no qualified retirees. There number of required meetings would no longer be monthly and shift to at least quarterly.
Since the rules are in the city charter, like the city’s Constitution, voters have to approve the change. Supporters say this reflects the changing demographics of the system and aging. No formal opposition has been identified.
Measure A — Peralta Colleges Parcel Tax Renewal
Measure A asks voters to renew an existing parcel tax to support the Peralta Colleges, currently a four college district in northern Alameda County which includes Laney and Merritt.
The $48 annual parcel tax would be extended for nine years. It’s estimated that $8 million would be raised annually. Funds are used to support academic programs, job training, student services, and faculty. Measure A cannot fund administrative salaries.
Voters approved the tax in 2012 and renewed it in 2018. District officials placed Measure A on the ballot to maintain funding without increasing the current tax rate.
An independent oversight committee would be appointed, according to Bay City News.
Funding will help keep community college education affordable and maintain core programs, supporters say. There is no formal opposition filed with the Registrar of Voters.
The parcel tax is not the same as Peralta College’s 2006 bond measure, also called Measure A.
Each measure requires voter approval
Each measure requires voter approval to take effect. Oakland’s Measures C, D, and E require a simple majority. Peralta College’s Measure A requires two-thirds of voter approval to take effect.
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