🗳️ What the proposal is
A new initiative called the “60+ Property Tax Exemption Act of 2026” has been formally submitted for review and could appear on the November 3, 2026 statewide ballot.
The measure would amend the California Constitution to exempt certain homeowners age 60 and older from paying ad valorem property taxes on their primary residence — essentially eliminating those taxes for qualifying seniors.
Under the draft language:
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Age / Disability Requirement
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Be 61 years or older (or 57+ as surviving spouse) to qualify for the exemption.
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For deferral, age 60+ or disabled.
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Homeowners 60 or older who have lived in their home for a set period (e.g., five years) or have lived in California for a minimum time could receive a full exemption from property taxes on that home.
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The exemption would end if the property no longer qualifies (e.g., no longer a primary residence).
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It would not apply to special taxes, assessments, or bonds approved by voters.
📅 Ballot path and process
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The petition for this initiative has been received by the California Attorney General’s Office, which means official ballot language and a title/summary will be prepared.
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Once that is done, organizers will begin collecting signatures from registered voters.
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California law requires roughly 1,000,000 valid signatures for a constitutional amendment initiative to qualify for the statewide ballot in November 2026.
- If you want to sign it and do not know where, let’s do this! Here are the instructions Take the 5 minutes, it will save you either now or later a lot of money if you own a home and qualify. It needs ink signature so you either need to find someone collecting sigs or download, fill in with pen and mail to: Mail it In: Once completed, the petition must be mailed to the official campaign address (often listed as P.O. Box 110484, Campbell, CA 95011) to be processed and submitted to county registrars for verification. Link to instructions on signing and to get PDF to mail in… https://rishikumar.com/instructions/
🤔 Why it’s gaining attention
Supporters argue this would:
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Provide financial relief to seniors on fixed incomes struggling with rising costs in a high-cost state.
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Help long-time residents “age in place” without fear of being taxed out of their homes.
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Reduce displacement and senior homelessness by lowering housing costs.
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Return more disposable income to local economies because seniors would spend rather than pay taxes.
There are also comments from members of the public both supporting and opposing the measure — from calls for stability and dignity in retirement to concerns about the broader state and local government budget impacts.
📊 Arguments for and against
Supporters say:
For the record, I am a YES! If you love CA and want to retire here, In my opinion…Yes will benefit you tremendously! Find the petition and sign it to get it on the ballot.
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Seniors, many on fixed incomes, are being priced out by escalating property tax bills.
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Exempting older homeowners protects against displacement and contributes to economic stability in communities.
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It builds on a legacy of property tax measures in California (e.g., Proposition 13 in 1978, which capped property taxes statewide).
Critics say:
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Property taxes fund essential local services — schools, fire departments, law enforcement, infrastructure — so exemptions could reduce revenue and force budget cuts or tax shifts.
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Some argue it could create a larger tax burden on younger homeowners or renters if revenues shrink.
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Opponents also call it potentially unrealistic or fiscally risky given state and local budget pressures.
🧠 Context
California has a long history of voter-approved property tax measures.
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Proposition 13 (1978) capped property tax rates statewide at 1% of assessed value with limited annual increases, and is still foundational to property tax law in California.
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More recent measures like Proposition 19 (2020) adjusted certain senior tax benefits and intergenerational property transfer rules.
The current 60+ exemption proposal goes further — proposing zero property tax on qualifying homes for older residents, rather than the limitations or transfers in earlier propositions.
📌 What happens next
If the Attorney General finalizes ballot language and supporters collect enough signatures, the measure will appear on the November 2026 statewide ballot. Then voters will decide whether to adopt the constitutional amendment — likely a simple majority vote.
🧾 Bottom line
This ballot initiative, driven by advocates and some local political figures, would be one of the most significant property tax reforms affecting seniors in decades if it qualifies. It reflects ongoing debates over housing affordability and tax burdens in California, especially for older homeowners.
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Hi, I’m Dianne Hicks — a former business software analyst and programmer who traded writing and debugging code, for helping people build real wealth through homeownership. I’ve been a real estate agent for 17 years, and I truly believe owning a home (and investing wisely) can change your life.
My goal?
To help you start — or restart — your journey toward stability, confidence, and financial freedom.
I love breaking down the complicated stuff, translating real estate into plain English, and making the process feel a whole lot less intimidating (and maybe even fun).
If you want a knowledgeable guide who actually listens, speaks human, and loves helping people win… I’m your person.
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Phone: (949) 441-9091
