City of Orange Measure I: 18,170 Yes Votes on Temporary 1% Sales Tax

ORANGE, Calif. — November 5, 2026. City voters are weighing a proposed one-cent-per-dollar local sales tax that the municipality projects could yield about $37 million annually. In the November 4 Orange County election report, Measure I had 18,170 Yes votes (54.53%) against 15,153 No (45.47%), a 3,017-vote Yes lead. All results are provisional pending the official canvass.

Why the city put the question on the ballot

Orange’s official fiscal explanation says city operating costs and revenues are diverging, with projected budget deficits and deferred maintenance. The proposed 1% levy would run for 13 years and support general municipal purposes including emergency response, policing, fire protection, parks, repairs and infrastructure. Its city-estimated annual yield is $37 million, not revenue already collected.

Who pays and what is exempt

A local sales tax falls on taxable retail purchases made in the jurisdiction. The city’s explanation notes that many necessities, including qualifying groceries, prescription medication, rent and various services, are not in the taxable base. A 1% increase is one additional cent on each taxable dollar; it should not be described as a tax on all personal income or the same annual charge for every household.

Two other Orange measures

Orange voters considered Measure J on its hotel guest tax and Measure K on whether to adopt a city charter. Those are separate legal questions: each has its own valid Yes/No total and potentially different motivations among voters. See our original election-night municipal overview and the newer county results.

Why these numbers remain preliminary

California’s county election offices continue reviewing qualifying mail ballots, provisional votes, conditional registrations and other necessary canvass items. An indicator saying that polling-place precincts have reported does not mean all valid ballots are counted. The Orange County Registrar has scheduled manual tabulation and risk-limiting audit work after Election Day. The county must complete its official results within California’s legal deadlines; statewide certification is due December 11. Vote totals in this story are the November 4 reporting snapshot accessed November 5, not a claim of a new November 5 tally.

For updated figures, consult the Orange County Registrar of Voters and NBC Los Angeles’ results table. Different source update times may show different totals. California58 reports candidate rankings and approved legal thresholds without endorsing an electoral choice or treating a news projection as certification.

California58 Elections Desk | November 5, 2026. Sources: Orange County election returns, local election and ballot documents linked above. Figures are uncertified and subject to change.

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