Californians Push to Repeal Tax Burden from Prop. 19 for 2026 Ballot
Efforts are underway to repeal the inheritance tax provisions of California’s Proposition 19, with a new campaign aiming to place the measure on the November 2026 ballot. The initiative comes in response to widespread discontent among families who feel misled about the implications of the 2020 law, which was initially promoted as a means to provide “Home Protection for Seniors, Severely Disabled, Families, and Victims of Wildfire or Natural Disasters.”
When Sheri Duffy and her mother, Jean Duffy, voted for Prop. 19 five years ago, they were drawn in by an advertising campaign that emphasized tax benefits for inherited homes. The reality, however, has been starkly different. The law reassesses inherited primary residences to their market value after the first $1 million, which has resulted in exorbitant property tax increases for many families. When Jean passed away in 2021, the property taxes on the Duffy family home skyrocketed from $1,300 to $18,000 annually. Faced with these overwhelming costs, Sheri and her twin brother, Mike Duffy, were forced to sell their family home.
“I thought I was going to die in that house, just like my mom,” said Sheri, reflecting on the emotional toll of losing the home where they had cared for their parents. She expressed feelings of betrayal, stating, “We didn’t realize what we were voting for. We felt duped, just taken advantage of.”
The Duffy family’s experience has sparked a grassroots movement to repeal the inheritance tax aspects of Prop. 19, which was passed by just 51% of California voters. Many, like Sheri, are advocating for change out of a sense of urgency, as they face the reality of rising property taxes that were not disclosed during the campaign.
Historically, attempts to repeal this measure have faced challenges. Previous campaigns in 2022 and 2024 failed to gather enough verified signatures to reach the ballot. This time, organizers must gather nearly 875,000 verified signatures, a significant increase from the 560,000 collected in earlier efforts.
The current campaign, titled “Fix Prop 19 to Save Our Children’s Future,” is being organized from a modest auto body shop in Daly City. The family behind the shop is also concerned about the implications of Prop. 19, fearing that they may not be able to retain their family home and business after the passing of their elderly patriarch.
Under the provisions of Prop. 19, inherited properties are reassessed unless the heir moves into the deceased’s primary home within one year, with a $1 million market value exemption. Given that the median home values in counties like Santa Clara and San Mateo hover around $1.9 million and $2.1 million respectively, many families find themselves at risk of losing their homes due to increased taxes.
The campaign to repeal the tax provisions has garnered support from various individuals who have experienced property tax hikes firsthand. Gina Tse-Louie, a San Francisco resident leading the campaign, highlighted the emotional burden faced by families. After being diagnosed with a brain aneurysm, she became concerned that her children may not be able to retain their home after her passing.
Despite the push for repeal, the California Association of Realtors, which sponsored Prop. 19, maintains that they were transparent about the impacts on inherited properties. They argue that the measure addresses issues of tax equity, particularly regarding properties that were being rented at market rates while benefiting from low property taxes.
A recent editorial in the Los Angeles Times criticized the measure as a means to drive home sales rather than genuinely addressing tax fairness. The editorial pointed out the loopholes that still favor wealthier homeowners while placing undue burdens on families with inherited properties.
Furthermore, the financial implications of Prop. 19 have come under scrutiny. The California Department of Finance has reported that neither the firefighting fund nor counties have received any additional revenue from the measure since its enactment. The anticipated benefits, which were supposed to fund state wildfire agencies, have not materialized, raising questions about the efficacy of the law.
The potential repeal has sparked a debate about the balance between property tax reform and the need for equitable tax policies. As the campaign progresses, families like the Duffys will continue to advocate for their rights, hoping to reclaim the promise of financial stability that was presented to them in 2020.
For many, the stakes are high, with the future of generational wealth hanging in the balance. “It’s unfair,” said Marilyn Williams, a West Oakland resident concerned about her family’s ability to retain their home. “This would be the first generational wealth in my entire family.”
As the 2026 ballot approaches, the outcomes of these efforts could significantly impact countless families across California who are grappling with the reality of Prop. 19’s unintended consequences.
