City of Berkeley Measure V — Sales Tax Measure (Alameda County)

What it does

Shall the measure levying a 0.5% sales tax in Berkeley, increasing the total sales tax rate in the City to 10.75%, estimated to generate $9,000,000 to $10,000,000 annually, with proceeds placed into the General Fund for general City uses, including but not limited to sustaining fire, police and 911 dispatch services, youth and senior services, and community programs, until ended by the voters, with independent audits, be adopted?

A YES vote means

Berkeley would levy a 0.5% sales tax, making the city's total rate 10.75%, raising about $9,000,000 to $10,000,000 a year for general city uses until ended by voters.

A NO vote means

Berkeley would not levy this 0.5% sales tax.

What it would cost

0.5% sales tax: $0.50 on a $100 taxable purchase.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Unclear: our AI read of the official summary isn't confident enough (we require 70%) to place this on the left–right spectrum, so we don't. Read the summary and decide for yourself.

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

Measure V was placed on the ballot by the Berkeley City Council, according to the City Attorney's impartial analysis.

It would adopt the 2026 Transactions and Use Tax Ordinance, adding a half-cent (0.5%) sales tax that would bring Berkeley's total sales tax rate to 10.75%, subject to any other sales tax increases voters approve; the tax would start April 1, 2027 and continue until ended by voters.

It is a general tax, so the money would go into the General Fund for any municipal purpose; the City estimates it would raise $9 million to $10 million a year, and it passes with a simple majority.

Put on the ballot by Berkeley City Council (2026).

From official source.

Next elections here

• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Also on Alameda County ballots

• City of Alameda Measure L — GO Bond Measure
• City of Alameda Measure M — Charter Amendment - Amend And Repeal Outdated Provisions
• City of Alameda Measure N — Charter Amendment - Leases And Sales Of Real Property Measure
• City of Albany Measure O — Requirement To Zoning Changes Measure
• City of Albany Measure P — Street Paving And Storm Drain Parcel Tax Measure
• City of Albany Measure Q — EMS, ALS, Fire Protection Parcel Tax Measure
• City of Albany Measure R — Business License Tax Measure
• City of Albany Measure S — Real Property Transfer Tax Measure
• City of Albany Measure T — Street Trees & Streetlighting Parcel Tax Measure
• City of Berkeley Measure U — Bond Measure
• City of Berkeley Measure W — Charter Amendment Measure
• City of Berkeley Measure X — Rent Ordinance Amendment Measure
• City of Berkeley Measure Y — Initiative - Arts Tax Measure
• City of Berkeley Measure Z — Initiative - Public Bank Measure
• City of Berkeley Measure AA — Initiative - Soda Tax Measure
• City of Emeryville Measure BB — Business Tax Measure

All Alameda County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of Berkeley Measure V mean?

Berkeley would levy a 0.5% sales tax, making the city's total rate 10.75%, raising about $9,000,000 to $10,000,000 a year for general city uses until ended by voters.

What does a NO vote on City of Berkeley Measure V mean?

Berkeley would not levy this 0.5% sales tax.

How many votes does City of Berkeley Measure V need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on City of Berkeley Measure V?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.