Measure E, the citizen-petition initiative that would bring rent control to older apartments in Redwood City, has become one of the Peninsula's most expensive local fights. Campaign finance reports cited by the Redwood City Pulse show No on E raised more than $360,000 in the calendar year through Oct. 17. Yes on E raised just over $155,000.

Who is paying to defeat it

  • National Association of Realtors: $160,000, given Oct. 1
  • California Apartment Association Issues Committee: $95,000
  • California Association of Realtors Issues Mobilization PAC: $50,000
  • Harbor Village Mobile Home Park and Marjal Corp. and affiliates: $10,000 each in early October

Six of the seven City Council members oppose the measure, as do Assemblymember Diane Papan and county Supervisors Ray Mueller and David Canepa. Joshua Howard of the California Apartment Association pointed to a city-commissioned report that estimates the program would need 18 new city employees.

Who is paying to pass it

  • Faith in Action Bay Area, the measure's sponsor: $50,000, given Aug. 11
  • Faith Votes, a faith coalition sponsored by PICO California Action Fund: $50,000, given Sept. 28
  • Bay Rising Ballot Action Committee: $7,500
  • Tenants and Owners Development Corporation: $5,000

Yes on E reported 77 individual donations, compared with 21 for No on E. Supporter Clara Jaeckel, a renter, said the campaign is led by low-income and immigrant families who give volunteer hours instead of large checks.

What the measure does

According to the ballot question, Measure E would cap rent increases on multifamily housing built before Feb. 1, 1995. It would also extend just-cause eviction protections to most rentals, including single-family homes and ADUs, and raise relocation pay for no-fault evictions. The ballot question estimates the city would spend $5 million to $11 million a year to run the program, paid for by fees on rental property owners. It needs a simple majority to pass. For a full breakdown, see our Measure E explainer.

How to vote

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls and vote centers close at 8 p.m., and mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and arrive within seven days. You can check your registration and ballot status at sos.ca.gov/elections. California lets you register and vote the same day at a vote center.