City of Berkeley Measure Y — Initiative - Arts Tax Measure (Alameda County)

What it does

Shall the measure creating a special parcel tax to fund grants for performing arts organizations, art projects, art organization operational and programmatic expenses and capital projects, community festivals, and administrative costs, with oversight by the City's Civic Arts Commission, at a rate of $0.07 per square foot of improvements, estimated to generate approximately $6,300,000 annually and $84,800,000 over its twelve-year duration, be adopted?

A YES vote means

Berkeley would levy a parcel tax of $0.07 per square foot of improvements for 12 years to fund arts grants, festivals and arts projects, overseen by the Civic Arts Commission, raising about $6,300,000 a year.

A NO vote means

Berkeley would not levy this arts parcel tax.

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

Left

YESNO

Right

A YES vote leans strongly left; a NO vote leans the other way (AI-estimated from the official ballot summary, 74% confidence).

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

This is an initiative ordinance creating a parcel tax for arts institutions and programs; the Berkeley City Council submitted it to voters by Resolution No. 72,379-N.S., adopted July 14, 2026 by a 9-0 vote (Bartlett, Blackaby, Humbert, Kesarwani, Lunaparra, O'Keefe, Taplin, Tregub and Ishii), according to the resolution filed with the Alameda County Registrar of Voters.

According to the resolution's ballot question, the tax would be $0.07 per square foot of improvements, raising an estimated $84,800,000 over its twelve-year duration for grants to arts organizations, art projects and community festivals, with oversight by the City's Civic Arts Commission.

Put on the ballot by Initiative ordinance; submitted to voters by the Berkeley City Council, 9-0, July 14, 2026 (Resolution No. 72,379-N.S.).

From official source.

Next elections here

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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• City of Alameda Measure M — Charter Amendment - Amend And Repeal Outdated Provisions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 V — Sales Tax Measure
• City of Berkeley Measure W — Charter Amendment Measure
• City of Berkeley Measure X — Rent Ordinance Amendment 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 Y mean?

Berkeley would levy a parcel tax of $0.07 per square foot of improvements for 12 years to fund arts grants, festivals and arts projects, overseen by the Civic Arts Commission, raising about $6,300,000 a year.

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

Berkeley would not levy this arts parcel tax.

How many votes does City of Berkeley Measure Y 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 Y?

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.