City of Berkeley Measure Z — Initiative - Public Bank Measure (Alameda County)

What it does

Shall the measure creating a special parcel tax to capitalize and support a public bank to fund investments in affordable housing, green energy/infrastructure and small businesses, at rates of $0.06/square foot of residential improvements and $0.09/square foot of non-residential improvements, estimated to generate approximately $9,200,000 the first year and $58,300,000 over its six-year duration, with funds subject to review, allocation and approval by the City Council and regular audits, be adopted?

A YES vote means

Berkeley would levy a six-year parcel tax of $0.06 per square foot of residential and $0.09 of non-residential improvements to fund a public bank investing in affordable housing, green energy and small businesses, raising about $9,200,000 the first year.

A NO vote means

Berkeley would not levy this parcel tax for a public bank.

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, 85% 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

Measure Z was placed on the ballot by an initiative petition signed by the required number of Berkeley voters and needs a majority vote to pass, according to the City Attorney's impartial analysis.

It would levy a special parcel tax starting January 1, 2027 of $0.06 per square foot of improvements on residential property and $0.09 on non-residential property, adjusted annually for inflation; the City estimates about $9,200,000 in the first year and $58,300,000 over the tax's six years.

The money would go into a special fund to capitalize a public bank investing in affordable housing, green energy and infrastructure, and small businesses; state law requires a feasibility study and state approval for public banks and caps their number, and if no bank is authorized by June 30, 2033 the fund could make loans for those purposes directly, with spending subject to City Council approval and periodic audits by the City Auditor.

Put on the ballot by Citizen initiative petition (qualified 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 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 Y — Initiative - Arts Tax 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 Z mean?

Berkeley would levy a six-year parcel tax of $0.06 per square foot of residential and $0.09 of non-residential improvements to fund a public bank investing in affordable housing, green energy and small businesses, raising about $9,200,000 the first year.

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

Berkeley would not levy this parcel tax for a public bank.

How many votes does City of Berkeley Measure Z 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 Z?

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.