City of Newark Measure DD — Newark Essential Services Protection Measure (Alameda County)

What it does

Newark Essential Services Protection Measure. To protect city services such as repairing potholes/streets; keeping neighborhoods safe/clean, and maintaining 9-1-1 emergency response/fire protection/neighborhood police patrols/parks/recreation programs, shall the measure be adopted updating Newark's 56-year-old business license ordinance, lowering many small businesses' taxes, with rates up to 0.3% of gross receipts (as described in the ordinance), raising $6,600,000 annually until ended by voters, with spending disclosure/independent audits?

A YES vote means

Newark would update its business license tax, with rates up to 0.3% of gross receipts and lower taxes for many small businesses, raising $6,600,000 a year for city services until ended by voters, with independent audits.

A NO vote means

Newark's current business license tax would not change.

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

According to City Council Resolution No. 11,885, Newark's business license tax was first imposed in 1970 (Chapter 5.04 of the Municipal Code), and the resolution states that its structure has not been updated in over fifty years.

The resolution states that the City is facing a budget deficit that could directly impact essential services, and that the proposed changes would generate approximately $6.6 million in annual funding for local services and infrastructure.

Under the proposed ordinance attached to the resolution, businesses would pay a $25 base tax on the first $100,000 in annual gross receipts plus a category rate on gross receipts above $100,000; the resolution states the changes would not affect Newark residents who do not own or operate a business in Newark.

The City Council adopted the resolution on July 23, 2026, by a 4–1 vote, with Council Member Grindall voting no; as a general tax, the measure needs a simple majority to pass.

Put on the ballot by Newark City Council, 4–1 (Council Member Grindall opposed), July 23, 2026 (Resolution No. 11,885).

From official source 1, official source 2.

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 Z — Initiative - Public Bank Measure
• City of Berkeley Measure AA — Initiative - Soda Tax Measure

All Alameda County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of Newark Measure DD mean?

Newark would update its business license tax, with rates up to 0.3% of gross receipts and lower taxes for many small businesses, raising $6,600,000 a year for city services until ended by voters, with independent audits.

What does a NO vote on City of Newark Measure DD mean?

Newark's current business license tax would not change.

How many votes does City of Newark Measure DD 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 Newark Measure DD?

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.