SUBJECT
Title
CERTIFICATION OF INITIATIVE PETITION: MEASURE TO FUND SAN DIEGO COUNTY HEALTH & SAFETY SERVICES (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Title
Body
OVERVIEW
The MEASURE TO FUND SAN DIEGO COUNTY HEALTH & SAFETY SERVICES initiative petition was filed with the Registrar of Voters on May 4, 2026. The Registrar has examined the petition and finds it contains a sufficient number of valid signatures to submit to the Board of Supervisors for action.
In accordance with State law and Article XIII C of the California Constitution, the Board of Supervisors (Board) is now required to submit the initiative measure to the voters. The Board may either (1) submit the initiative measure to the voters at the November 3, 2026, statewide general election or (2) direct the preparation of an impact report, due within 30 days, submit the initiative measure to the voters, and schedule a special meeting sometime between July 25, 2026 to August 7, 2026 to adopt the resolution. The Board may also direct the auditor for the County of San Diego (County) to prepare a fiscal impact statement that is printed in the voter information guide.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
1. Receive the certification from the Registrar of Voters that the initiative petition contains a sufficient number of valid signatures.
2. Consider and take action on one of the following options pursuant to Elections Code Sections 9111 and 9118:
• Option One: Adopt the resolution entitled, A RESOLUTION OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS SUBMITTING TO THE VOTERS AN INITIATIVE MEASURE TO FUND SAN DIEGO COUNTY HEALTH & SAFETY SERVICES for the purpose of submitting the initiative measure, without alteration, to the voters of San Diego County at the November 3, 2026 statewide general election.
• Option Two: Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare an impact report that must be presented to the Board within 30 days. Upon receipt of that report, the Board would then be required to adopt the above-referenced resolution to submit the initiative measure, without alteration, to the voters of San Diego County. Pursuant to California Elections Code Section 1405, the resolution submitting the initiative measure to the voters must be issued at least 88 days prior to the election. For the November 3, 2026 statewide election, that deadline lands on August 7, 2026. Given the Board’s current meeting calendar, this option would require the Board to schedule a special meeting sometime between July 25, 2026 and August 7, 2026 in order to adopt the resolution in time to submit this initiative measure to the voters at the November 3, 2026 statewide election.
3. Consider whether to direct the County auditor to review the initiative measure and prepare a fiscal impact statement pursuant to Election Code Section 9160, which is limited to 500 words and is printed in the voter information guide.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
A person’s vote can influence policy and who represents them in government, which in turn impacts their environment, health, and quality of life. The Registrar of Voters’ conduct of fair, accurate, and transparent election processes allows all eligible citizens to have a part in matters that affect them.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
A person’s vote has a direct influence on the sustainability of their neighborhood, community, and local region. By voting and being civically engaged, San Diego County residents have a direct impact on their health, equity, the economy, and environment. With the County’s implementation of the vote center model, all active registered voters receive a ballot in the mail as required by current law. This increases accessibility by providing voters with the opportunity to consider the method that is most convenient for them to return their ballot and has the possibility of reducing vehicle miles traveled to cast their vote. In addition, voters have the option of receiving voter information guides electronically to reduce paper waste. The recommended action today aligns with the Governance lens of sustainability and the County of San Diego Sustainability Goal of providing just and equitable access to County services.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds are included in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 CAO Recommended Operational Plan in the Registrar of Voters to conduct the November 3, 2026 statewide general election based on General Purpose Revenue and program revenues. There will be no change in General Fund cost and no additional staff years associated with today’s action.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
N/A
BACKGROUND
An initiative petition proposing a MEASURE TO FUND SAN DIEGO COUNTY HEALTH & SAFETY SERVICES was filed by the proponents with the Registrar of Voters on May 4, 2026. County Counsel previously prepared a Title and Summary to be included on the petition that was circulated for signatures (Attachment A). The summary prepared by County Counsel includes the chief purpose and points of the measure.
The Registrar of Voters verified the petition signatures using a statistical sample in accordance with California Elections Code Section 9115. It was determined that the number of valid signatures required for qualification was sufficient. The results of this verification have been filed with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors (Attachment B).
The Board of Supervisors (Board) is now legally required to exercise one of the following options in accordance with California Elections Code Section 9118:
Option One: Submit the initiative measure, without alteration, to the voters at the November 3, 2026 statewide general election.
Option Two: Order an impact report pursuant to California Elections Code Section 9111. Such a report must be returned to the Board within the time you prescribe, but no later than 30 days following the June 25, 2026 certification of results to your Board. Topic areas that may be included in such a report include fiscal impact of the measure and its potential effects on the programs and services it would fund, along with any other matters the Board deems necessary. Upon receipt of that report, the Board would then be required to adopt the resolution to submit the initiative measure, without alteration, to the voters of San Diego County. Pursuant to California Elections Code Section 1405, the resolution submitting the initiative measure to the voters must be issued at least 88 days prior to the election. For the November 3, 2026 statewide election, that deadline lands on August 7, 2026. Given the Board’s current meeting calendar, this option would require the Board to schedule a special meeting sometime between July 25, 2026 and August 7, 2026 in order to adopt the resolution in time to submit this initiative measure to the voters at the November 3, 2026 statewide election.
Under either option, the Board is legally required to submit the initiative measure, without alteration, to the voters of San Diego County. In addition, pursuant to Government Code Section 25207 and independent of Elections Code Sections 9111 and 9118, the Board may order a report, at any time, that it deems necessary to carry out its duties as legislative authority regarding the impact of the initiative measure.
Pursuant to Elections Code Section 9160, the Board also has the discretion to direct the County auditor to review the initiative measure and prepare a fiscal impact statement, which estimates the amount of any increase or decrease in revenues or costs to the County if the proposed measure is adopted. This fiscal impact statement may not exceed 500 words in length and must be printed in the voter information guide before the arguments for and against the measure. The Board must exercise this option to order a fiscal impact statement by no later than August 7, 2026. If directed to prepare one, the County auditor must submit its fiscal impact statement to the Registrar of Voters by no later than August 14, 2026 to meet operational deadlines.
The recommendations before the Board today are to receive the certification from the Registrar of Voters that the initiative petition contains a sufficient number of valid signatures, submit the initiative measure, without alteration, to the voters, at the November 3, 2026, statewide general election, or, in the alternative, direct the preparation of an impact report, due within 30 days, and then submit the initiative measure to the voters. The Board may also direct the County auditor to prepare a fiscal impact statement that is printed in the voter information guide.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed action supports the County of San Diego’s 2026-2031 Community Strategic Initiative by promoting diverse opportunities for residents to exercise their right to be civically engaged and find solutions to current and future challenges.
Respectfully submitted,
ebony n. shelton
Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
Attachment A - Initiative Measure Title and Summary
Attachment B - Certification of Results
Attachment C - Measure Text
Attachment D - Resolution Calling the Election