PTAs and Ballot Measure Positions
While unit, council, and district PTAs are not required to work actively for any position, they should not officially oppose a stand taken by California State PTA.
Important Information
- For additional information, see Legislation Policy 7.
- Campaign Restrictions: Use of School Resources
- There are strict restrictions against using school district resources for political activity. This includes, for example, advocating for a ballot measure on school property and communicating advocacy information using school resources such as school email, website, etc.
- You may gather signatures OFF school property and hold PTA meetings OFF school property for advocacy. You may use your PTA website and PTA email to distribute information to your members.
- Please contact your school district for rules and permit requirements for any political activity on school property.
- Campaign Reporting Rules for Local PTAs
- California School Boards Association (CSBA) guidelines for Use of Public Resources for Ballot Measures for more information and guidance.
CALIFORNIA STATE PTA OPPOSE INITIATIVE #1935 (#21-0042A1)
The California State PTA Legislation Action Committee, Board of Directors, and Board of Managers have approved adopting an OPPOSE position on the statewide ballot measure Initiative #1935 (#21-0042A1) which is eligible for the November 2024 ballot.
A study committee formed to examine this ballot measure and make recommendations found that this initiative would make it much more difficult for communities to pass local taxes to raise funds for schools.
See the full text of the study here.
The Attorney General of California prepared the following title and summary of the chief purpose and points of the proposed measure: LIMITS ABILITY OF VOTERS AND STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO RAISE REVENUES FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICES. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
- For new or increased state taxes currently enacted by two-thirds vote of Legislature, also requires statewide election and majority voter approval.
- Limits voters’ ability to pass voter-proposed local special taxes by raising vote requirement to two-thirds.
- Eliminates voters’ ability to advise how to spend revenues from proposed general tax on same ballot as the proposed tax.
- Expands definition of “taxes” to include certain regulatory fees, broadening application of tax approval requirements. Requires Legislature or local governing body set certain other fees.
- Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Lower annual state and local revenues, potentially substantially lower, depending on future actions of the Legislature, local governing bodies, voters, and the courts. (21-0042A1.)
CALIFORNIA STATE PTA SUPPORTS ACA 13 (Protect and Retain the Majority Vote Act)
The California State PTA Legislation Action Committee, Board of Directors, and Board of Managers have approved adopting a SUPPORT position on the statewide ballot measure Assembly Constitutional Amendment No. 13 (CHAPTER 176) which has qualified for the November 2024 ballot.
A study committee formed to examine this ballot measure and make recommendations found that passage of ACA 13 a.k.a. “Protect and Retain the Majority Vote Act,” would require an initiative constitutional amendment to comply with any increased voter approval threshold that it seeks to impose on future ballot measures and guarantees in the state constitution the ability of local governments to submit advisory questions to voters. The practical effect of ACA 13 would be that for Initiative #1935 (#21-0042A1) to pass, the latter would have to comply with its own 2/3 voter approval threshold to do so.