San Clemente voters were rejecting a proposed sales tax increase in early election returns, standing apart from several Orange County communities where local revenue measures were leading. As of November 4, thousands of ballots remained uncounted and certification was still weeks away, leaving the results subject to change.
About 64% of San Clemente voters opposed Measure M, which proposed a 1% sales tax increase to provide dedicated funding for coastal preservation and wildfire prevention. The early margin showed substantial opposition despite arguments that the additional revenue would help the city address coastal erosion and wildfire concerns.
In Santa Ana, Measure N had roughly 68% support. It would make permanent the city's existing 1.5% sales tax, retaining a source of tens of millions of dollars in annual funding for city operations. City leaders had warned that the tax's expiration would leave a substantial hole in future budgets. The extension would keep Santa Ana's local sales tax rate among the highest in Orange County.
Orange voters were backing two proposed tax changes. Measure I, a 1% sales tax increase expected to bring in approximately $37 million a year over 13 years, had about 55% support. Supporters said the money would help sustain police and fire services, support homelessness programs, repair roads and pay for infrastructure improvements.
Orange's Measure J also held an early lead, with roughly 59% voting in favor of increasing the city's hotel tax from 10% to 14%. In Costa Mesa, nearly 73% supported Measure C, a business tax measure. Its implementation would bring tax changes for businesses operating in the city.
School borrowing also attracted majority support. About 67% of voters backed Laguna Beach Unified School District's Measure A, putting it above the 55% approval threshold. The bond measure would permit additional borrowing for district facilities and capital improvements.
The local proposals came as Orange County governments faced pressure from pension costs, inflation, infrastructure upkeep, homelessness programs, public safety spending and unfunded capital projects. Across the communities reporting leads for revenue measures, supporters linked additional funding to maintaining services and meeting those needs.
California voters also considered statewide bond and revenue proposals, with early returns generally favoring major borrowing measures while complete results remained pending. Locally, the outstanding ballots could still alter margins. The initial count nevertheless placed several city tax measures and the Laguna Beach school bond ahead, while San Clemente's proposed sales tax increase faced a substantial deficit.
