San Mateo County Measure L — Charter Amendment: Extreme Weather Events

What it does

Shall the San Mateo County Charter be amended to add a provision to the Charter Preamble designating long-term resilience to extreme weather events as a County priority?

A YES vote means

San Mateo County's Charter Preamble would name long-term resilience to extreme weather events as a County priority.

A NO vote means

San Mateo County's Charter Preamble would not add this extreme weather priority.

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

The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors placed four separate charter amendments on the November 3, 2026 ballot by Resolution No. 081882 and Ordinance No. 4920; the ordinance was introduced at the Board's May 19, 2026 meeting, according to the resolution.

If approved, this measure would add a paragraph to the Charter Preamble stating that long-term resilience against extreme weather events, 'including fire, flood, wind, rain, heat, drought, and sea level rise,' is a County priority, to be undertaken collaboratively with cities, districts and other public entities.

The resolution states that each measure is voted on separately, takes effect only with a simple majority, and directs the County Attorney's Office to prepare the impartial analysis.

Put on the ballot by San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, 2026 (Resolution No. 081882; Ordinance No. 4920, introduced May 19, 2026).

From official source.

Next elections here

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

Also on San Mateo County ballots

• San Mateo County Measure AA — Charter Amendment: Affirmation of Rights
• San Mateo County Measure J — Charter Amendment: Extension to Call a Special Election or Appoint
• San Mateo County Measure U — Charter Amendment: Reapportionment of Supervisorial Districts

All San Mateo County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on San Mateo County Measure L mean?

San Mateo County's Charter Preamble would name long-term resilience to extreme weather events as a County priority.

What does a NO vote on San Mateo County Measure L mean?

San Mateo County's Charter Preamble would not add this extreme weather priority.

How many votes does San Mateo County Measure L 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 Mateo County Measure L?

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.