San Diego County Measure A — A Transparent, Accountable, Modern County Government

What it does

Shall the San Diego County Charter be amended to establish an Independent Ethics Commission, Independent Budget Analyst, Independent Program Auditor, confirmation of certain senior County leaders, and optional Board of Supervisors appointment of the Public Defender; increase term limits from two to three terms for the Board of Supervisors members; require public disclosure of spending and performance data; clarify non-interference provisions; and update terminology and structure?

A YES vote means

San Diego County's charter would create an Independent Ethics Commission, Budget Analyst and Program Auditor, require confirmation of some senior leaders, let the Board appoint the Public Defender, raise Supervisors' term limits from two to three terms, and require disclosure of spending and performance data.

A NO vote means

San Diego County's charter would not be changed in these ways, and Supervisors' term limit would stay at two terms.

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

According to County Counsel's impartial analysis, the Board of Supervisors placed this Charter amendment on the ballot; the Charter can only be amended with voter approval.

The analysis says it would raise Supervisors' term limit from two terms to three (a maximum of twelve years instead of eight, counting prior service), require Board confirmation of certain senior appointees such as the Assistant CAO, Public Health Officer and Public Defender, and allow the Board to appoint an Independent Budget Analyst and Independent Program Auditor.

It would also direct the Board to create a seven-member Ethics Commission (one appointee per Supervisor and two by County Counsel) that may be given subpoena power, and require the Auditor and Controller to post all County spending data and order an annual independent financial and performance audit.

KPBS reported that the Board voted 3-2 on May 20, 2026 to advance the package, with Supervisors Aguirre, Lawson-Remer and Montgomery Steppe in favor and Supervisors Anderson and Desmond opposed.

Put on the ballot by San Diego County Board of Supervisors, 3–2 (Anderson, Desmond no), May 20, 2026, as reported by KPBS.

From official source.

In the news

• County supervisors OK charter reform package for November ballot · KPBS, 2026-05-20

Next elections here

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

Also on San Diego County ballots

• San Diego County Measure B — Measure to Fund San Diego County Health & Safety Services

All San Diego County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on San Diego County Measure A mean?

San Diego County's charter would create an Independent Ethics Commission, Budget Analyst and Program Auditor, require confirmation of some senior leaders, let the Board appoint the Public Defender, raise Supervisors' term limits from two to three terms, and require disclosure of spending and performance data.

What does a NO vote on San Diego County Measure A mean?

San Diego County's charter would not be changed in these ways, and Supervisors' term limit would stay at two terms.

How many votes does San Diego County Measure A 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 San Diego County Measure A?

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.