City of San Mateo Measure H — Transactions and Use Tax Measure (San Mateo County)

What it does

To provide funding for San Mateo city services, such as keeping local streets, sidewalks, parks, infrastructure, and community facilities safe, clean, and well-maintained, fixing potholes, providing fire protection, paramedic, crime prevention, and 9-1-1 emergency response, and improvements to traffic safety/traffic management, shall the City of San Mateo’s ordinance establishing a one-quarter cent sales tax be adopted, providing 7 million dollars annually for general government use until ended by voters, with independent audits and all funds locally-controlled?

A YES vote means

The City of San Mateo would set a one-quarter cent sales tax, providing 7 million dollars a year for general city services until ended by voters, with independent audits.

A NO vote means

The City of San Mateo would not set this one-quarter cent sales tax.

What it would cost

0.25% sales tax: $0.25 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

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

The San Mateo City Council placed this measure on the ballot by Resolution No. 84 (2026), adopted July 20, 2026 (Council Members Loraine, Fernandez, Diaz Nash and Newsom yes; Council Member Cwirko-Godycki absent), according to the resolution filed with the San Mateo County Elections Office.

The resolution states the City faces a long-term structural budget deficit despite a Financial Sustainability Plan, has over $350 million in unfunded capital and infrastructure needs, and already levies a 0.25% transactions and use tax that expires March 31, 2048.

The measure would add another one-quarter cent sales tax for general city services, estimated in the ballot question at $7 million a year; as a general tax it needs a simple majority.

Put on the ballot by San Mateo City Council, July 20, 2026 (Resolution No. 84 (2026); 4 yes, 1 absent).

From official source.

Next elections here

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

Also on San Mateo County ballots

• City of Belmont Measure Y — Special Tax Measure
• City of Brisbane Measure X — Business License Tax Measure
• City of East Palo Alto Measure O — Bond Measure
• City of East Palo Alto Measure CC — Term Limits Measure
• City of Half Moon Bay Measure I — Coastal Land Use Measure
• City of Half Moon Bay Measure Q — Housing Initiative Measure
• City of Menlo Park Measure P — Citizen Initiative to Amend Municipal Code
• City of Pacifica Measure BB — Transactions and Use Tax Measure
• Town of Portola Valley Measure N — Town Charter and Property Transfer Tax Measure
• City of Redwood City Measure E — Rent Control and Eviction Limits Initiative
• City of San Bruno Measure S — Housing Permits and Developments Measure
• City of San Bruno Measure DD — Fireworks Ban Measure
• City of San Bruno Measure EE — Business License Tax Measure
• City of San Carlos Measure G — Transactions and Use Tax Measure
• City of San Mateo Measure F — Charter Amendment Measure

All San Mateo County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of San Mateo Measure H mean?

The City of San Mateo would set a one-quarter cent sales tax, providing 7 million dollars a year for general city services until ended by voters, with independent audits.

What does a NO vote on City of San Mateo Measure H mean?

The City of San Mateo would not set this one-quarter cent sales tax.

How many votes does City of San Mateo Measure H 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 Mateo Measure H?

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.