City of San Clemente Measure M — San Clemente Natural Hazards Sales Tax Citizens Initiative (Orange County)

What it does

Shall the measure establishing two funds dedicated to protecting San Clemente from natural hazards of beach erosion and fires and a 1% sales tax increase, providing approximately $15,000,000 annually for 10 years, requiring public spending disclosure, independent audits, all funds used locally for specified purposes only, including sand replenishment/ nourishment/ retention, beach erosion control, maintaining/ restoring beach access/ water quality and supporting fire protection/ prevention programs/ services, be adopted?

A YES vote means

San Clemente would add a 1% sales tax for 10 years, raising about $15,000,000 a year for two funds for beach erosion (sand replenishment, beach access, water quality) and fire protection and prevention.

A NO vote means

San Clemente would not add this 1% sales tax or create these two funds.

What it would cost

1% sales tax for 10 years: $1 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

Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

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 M was placed on the ballot by a petition signed by the required number of San Clemente voters, according to the City Attorney's impartial analysis; as a citizen-initiated special tax it needs a simple majority.

It would add a 1% sales tax, raising San Clemente's total rate from 7.75% to 8.75%; half would go to a new Beach Protection Fund (at least 70% of it for sand replenishment and erosion control) and half to a new Fire Protection and Wildfire Preparedness Fund.

The City estimates about $15 million a year for 10 years, which voters could extend for another 10 years; the city's Investment Advisory Committee would serve as an oversight committee, the funds would be audited annually, and up to $500,000 total could reimburse the City's election costs.

Put on the ballot by Citizen initiative petition (2026).

From official source.

Next elections here

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

Also on Orange County ballots

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• City of Irvine Measure D — Measure Directing the Use of Ranked Choice Voting for City Council Member and Mayoral Elections after January 1, 2028
• City of Laguna Beach Measure E — An Ordinance of the People of the City of Laguna Beach, California, Adding Section 2.04.080 to the Laguna Beach Municipal Code to Establish Term Limits for City Council Members
• City of Lake Forest Measure F — Lake Forest Election Reform and Voter Choice Measure
• City of Los Alamitos Measure G — Los Alamitos Hotel Tax (TOT Measure)
• City of Newport Beach Measure H — City of Newport Beach General Plan – Amendment
• City of Orange Measure I — City of Orange Public Safety/Essential Services Measure
• City of Orange Measure J — City of Orange Hotel Guest Tax Modification Measure
• City of Orange Measure K — Proposed Charter for the City of Orange
• City of Placentia Measure L — Placentia Hotel Tax Measure
• City of Santa Ana Measure N — Santa Ana Streets, Public Safety, Essential City Services Measure
• City of Westminster Measure O — Westminster City Services Measure

All Orange County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of San Clemente Measure M mean?

San Clemente would add a 1% sales tax for 10 years, raising about $15,000,000 a year for two funds for beach erosion (sand replenishment, beach access, water quality) and fire protection and prevention.

What does a NO vote on City of San Clemente Measure M mean?

San Clemente would not add this 1% sales tax or create these two funds.

How many votes does City of San Clemente Measure M 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 San Clemente Measure M?

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.