ORANGE, California — Yes leads on I and J; No leads on K in the Orange County Registrar of Voters’ election-night returns for November 3, 2026. The dashboard was marked updated at 11:00 p.m. Pacific. These are unofficial figures, and this report does not declare any measure adopted or defeated.

What voters were deciding

Orange voters faced three separate city measures. I concerns a proposed one-cent general sales tax; J concerns changes to the hotel guest tax; K asks voters about a proposed city charter. Support for I or J does not constitute approval of K: each question has its own vote count and legal effect.

Reported votes

Measure I: Public safety and essential services

Yes: 14,970 votes (54.89%).
No: 12,303 votes (45.11%).

The reported margin between the two choices was 2,667 votes.

Measure J: Hotel guest tax modification

Yes: 16,418 votes (60.10%).
No: 10,898 votes (39.90%).

The reported margin between the two choices was 5,520 votes.

Measure K: Proposed city charter

Yes: 9,288 votes (35.88%).
No: 16,600 votes (64.12%).

The reported margin between the two choices was 7,312 votes.

What happens next

The percentages describe votes reported for this measure in this release; they are not a turnout figure or a count of every registered voter. Additional ballot processing and the official canvass can change totals and margins. A numerical lead in an incomplete release should not be read as a final legal determination of passage.

Readers should use the dated figures above when comparing later updates. Any implementation would depend on the final outcome and the measure’s provisions; this preliminary report does not establish an effective date.

Sources: Orange County Registrar of Voters official results page and its results dashboard (November 3, 2026, 11:00 p.m. Pacific); measure background; official measure designations.

YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER NEEDS YOU

Help this community newspaper grow

Your support helps build coverage for the people and places this local newspaper serves.

Donate once by card ↗
Help Orange News grow Help strengthen reporting on Orange: community voices, important decisions and local life.
Support Orange News

Choose how to support Orange News:

Credit / Debit Card via Stripe

Choose an amount from $1. One-time support through the publisher's LINKERNO Stripe account.

Continue with PayPal Continue with Zelle

Zelle payments go to Vitaly Ataev Troshin. Please verify the recipient in your bank before sending. Availability depends on your bank.

Optional reader support. When possible, add “Orange News” to the payment note. Contributions are not advertised as tax-deductible. Support does not influence editorial decisions.
Optional support through the publisher. Contributions are not advertised as tax-deductible and never buy editorial influence.

Orange News — Your Community Newspaper

Have a correction, news tip, local announcement, or story to submit? Contact our editorial team. All submissions are reviewed before publication.

Contact the Orange News newsroom →

More from Orange News

Visit Orange News →

COMMUNITY

Comments

Join the California58 conversation. You must be signed in to comment.