Palo Alto voters decide Measure J on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot, a half-cent sales tax that would push the city's rate from 9.75% to 10.25% starting in April 2027. The city estimates it would raise about $15.6 million a year, with no end date unless voters repeal it.

Why it matters: The money is legally a general tax, but the City Council says it intends to use it to buy seven acres of the Cubberley Community Center from the Palo Alto Unified School District for $65.5 million and renovate the aging campus.

What Measure J would do

The ballot question lists repairs at Cubberley for safety, earthquake and accessibility standards, upgraded electrical systems and plumbing, new outdoor space, street maintenance, a clean downtown, disaster preparation and repairs to libraries and community spaces.

Because it is a general tax, the revenue goes into the city's general fund and can be spent on any lawful city purpose, according to the impartial analysis summarized by California Choices. In June, the council adopted advisory spending guidelines saying it plans to use the proceeds to buy the Cubberley land and modernize the center, including renovating some buildings, new construction and new park space. Those guidelines are not legally binding.

The Cubberley deal

The city already owns eight acres of the 15-acre community center on Middlefield Road. Buying the district's seven acres would give it the whole property, the Mercury News reported. The site is the former Cubberley High School, which closed in 1979. It has about 184,000 square feet of indoor space and houses 23 nonprofit tenants and 24 resident artists, including Palo Alto Community Childcare and Avenidas.

The $65.5 million would also go to the school district, which projects a multimillion-dollar deficit next fiscal year. We covered how the city and district reached that price earlier this month.

What it would cost shoppers

  • Palo Alto's sales tax would go from 9.75% to 10.25%, the Palo Alto Daily Post reported.
  • If voters also pass the regional transit tax, Measure RTM, the rate would reach 10.75%.
  • Most groceries and prescription medicine are not subject to sales tax.

What a yes or no vote means

A yes vote adds the half-cent sales tax, starting April 2027, until voters end it.

A no vote leaves the rate where it is. The Mercury News reported a no vote would halt plans to buy the land and leave funding for Cubberley upgrades uncertain.

Who is for and against

Supporters include Palo Alto Community Childcare, Youth Community Service, Friends of the Palo Alto Library, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, the Palo Alto Educators Association and the Palo Alto Professional Firefighters. They say the center is more than 70 years old, has failing plumbing and electrical systems, and that nonresidents pay about 40% of the city's sales tax. Councilmember Julie Lythcott-Haims said it was a chance to get the project "over the finish line once and for all."

The Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association and United Neighbors of Palo Alto oppose it. Opponents call it a "blank check" because a general tax carries no guarantee the money goes to Cubberley, and argue a permanent sales tax is the wrong tool for a one-time land purchase.

Palo Alto voters are also choosing three council members; see our Palo Alto City Council guide and the full Election 2026 guide.