On Nov. 3, Marin County voters will decide Measure P, a countywide special parcel tax aimed at expanding affordable child care and early education. KALW and KQED both describe it as a 15-year levy of 5 cents per square foot of a building's floor area, with revenue earmarked for child care rather than the county's general fund. For every other local contest we have covered, see our Nov. 2026 election guide.

What a yes vote does

If Measure P passes, property owners would pay five cents for each square foot of building space. KALW reports the tax applies only to the first 100,000 square feet on a parcel and is capped at $5,000 per property. KQED estimates a typical single-family home would see about a $100 yearly increase, while larger commercial buildings could reach the $5,000 cap. The measure is projected to raise about $12.5 million a year for 15 years.

That money would go toward helping low- and middle-income families afford child care, growing the early-educator workforce, and adding licensed child-care spaces, according to KQED's voter guide. KALW notes up to 5% of the fund could cover administration. Because it is a special tax tied to a specific purpose, the county cannot freely divert the revenue to other programs.

Why supporters say it is needed

KALW cites the California Child Care Resource and Referral Network estimate that 55% of Marin children lack access to a licensed child-care center. The Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce and the North Bay Leadership Council argue that scarce, expensive care makes it harder for employers to hire and keep parents in the workforce. KQED's yes argument frames the measure as relief for families stuck on long wait lists for subsidized care.

KQED lists U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman, state Sen. Mike McGuire, and all five Marin County supervisors — Brian Colbert, Eric Lucan, Stephanie Moulton-Peters, Dennis Rodoni and Mary Sackett — among supporters, along with the Marin Community Foundation. KALW reports the Marin Community Foundation and the Our Kids Our Future PAC have put nearly $1.5 million behind the campaign.

What a no vote means — and who opposes it

A no vote leaves the parcel tax off the books and keeps current child-care funding as is. The Coalition of Sensible Taxpayers and several Marin residents listed by KQED argue the measure lacks a clear spending plan and measurable goals, and that a new tax would raise living costs for families already paying high child-care bills.

Measure P needs a simple majority. Related North Bay and parcel-tax coverage includes Sausalito's Measure X on the Marinship waterfront and Berkeley's Measure Y arts parcel tax.