California Voters Reject Billionaire Tax, Exposing Democratic Divide

California voters have rejected Proposition 40, a proposal that would have imposed a tax on billionaires based on their net worth. The Associated Press declared the race on Monday, six days after the election. The defeat highlights a split within the Democratic party, as California Governor Gavin Newsom, who is eyeing a presidential run in 2028, opposed the tax, warning it would force the state's wealthiest residents to leave.

Progressive lawmakers Bernie Sanders and Ro Khanna, however, supported the measure. According to the Secretary of State's semi-official tally, 52.9% of voters, or 5,789,026 individuals, rejected the proposition, while 47.1%, or 5,159,356 people, supported it. The opponents raised over $333 million, with Google co-founder Sergey Brin contributing more than $100 million.

The tax would have charged billionaires who lived in California on January 1, 2026, with a one-time tax of 5% of their net worth due in 2027. The money collected would have primarily funded healthcare and education. Economists disagreed on whether the state would benefit, with some estimating the tax could raise $30 billion, while others predicted a net loss of $38.9 billion.

The measure's drafters argued for a higher estimate, suggesting the tax could generate $100 billion. Proposition 42 and 41, written to counter the wealth tax, also failed to gain the necessary support.