MARIN COUNTY — November 4, 2026. Measure P, a countywide proposal to fund childcare and early education, held a modest majority in the first results from the November 3 election. The measure requires a simple majority to pass; the outcome is not yet officially certified.

First reported vote

KQED’s dated result for 9 p.m. November 3 listed 30,000 yes votes (53.3%) and 26,280 no (46.7%). The initial difference is 3,720 votes. Additional ballots may change both percentages and the margin.

What the proposal would fund

The official Marin County ballot text proposes a special parcel tax of 5 cents per building square foot for 15 years. The county estimates annual revenue of about $12.5 million for childcare access, early childhood education and compensation to recruit and retain educators. The projection is not a sum already collected.

What it could mean for property owners

Taxes are calculated from building floor area, not simply the number of people living in a property. For illustration, a 2,000-square-foot building would imply a baseline tax of about $100 per year at the stated rate, subject to the measure’s full provisions and any adjustments. The measure’s text contains disclosure requirements and possible annual inflation adjustments.

Arguments and certification

Supporters argue that childcare costs and workforce shortages justify a dedicated local funding stream. Opponents cite additional property-tax burdens and questions about oversight and spending priorities. Those are competing arguments, not findings that either outcome is guaranteed.

Official election returns remain preliminary. See Marin County Elections for new counts and certification. This article does not report Measure P as finally enacted.

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