Voters Send a Clear Message: Early Care and Education Is a Public Priority

The November 2026 election brought encouraging news for early care and education. Across the country, voters supported local investments to make child care more affordable, strengthen the early educator workforce, and expand access to quality early learning opportunities.

For California, these results reinforce something our members know well: child care is essential infrastructure. Families need reliable, affordable care to participate in the workforce, and early educators need the compensation and resources necessary to sustain quality programs.

California Communities Lead the Way

In Marin County, voters approved Measure P, which establishes a dedicated parcel tax expected to generate about $12.5 million annually over 15 years. The funding will support child care affordability, expand access, and improve compensation to attract and retain early educators.

This represents an important local investment in addressing challenges that continue to affect California's early care and education system.

In San Diego County, Measure B was narrowly leading as ballots continued to be counted. The proposed half-cent sales tax would support several county priorities, including child care assistance for families, provider stipends, health care, and other essential community services. Its inclusion of child care reflects growing recognition of the connection between early learning, family stability, and economic opportunity.

A National Commitment to Early Learning

Similar investments gained support in communities across the country.

• San Antonio, Texas: Nearly 73% of voters supported extending the existing sales tax for Pre-K 4 SA for another 20 years, providing long-term support for early learning and educator development.

• Boulder County, Colorado: Voters approved a property-tax measure expected to generate approximately $30 million annually to improve child care affordability, increase educator compensation, and expand available spaces.

• Baltimore, Maryland: Voters approved the Baltimore Baby Fund, establishing dedicated resources to strengthen the economic stability of families with newborns.

These victories are encouraging, although results were not uniform. In St. Louis, Missouri, voters rejected a proposed child care funding measure, reminding us that building public understanding and support remains essential.

What This Means for California

At EveryChild California, we recognize that local investments are important, but they cannot replace the need for a coordinated, sustainable statewide approach.

California's early care and education programs continue to navigate complex funding structures, workforce challenges, and increasing operational costs. Addressing these issues requires policies that support both the families who depend on child care and the providers who make it possible.

As newly elected leaders prepare to take office, EveryChild California will continue working with policymakers, advocates, and our members to advance investments that strengthen the early care and education system.

The election results offer an encouraging reminder: communities recognize the value of early care and education. Now, our work is to turn that recognition into lasting policies and investments that support California's children, families, and early educators.