From cleaner waterways to greener neighborhoods, here's what's at stake for LA's environment this November.

October 21, 2026

On November 3, 2026, Los Angeles voters will head to the polls to elect local, state, and federal leaders and weigh in on ballot measures that will shape the future of our communities. And many of you are already preparing to vote early by mail, via drop box or at early voting centers.

While not every measure explicitly mentions the environment, many will have lasting consequences for the health of our waterways, access to parks and green spaces, and our ability to protect communities from pollution and climate impacts.

At LA Waterkeeper, we believe everyone deserves clean water, healthy neighborhoods, and a voice in the decisions that shape our environment. That's why we've put together this quick guide to three ballot measures with significant implications for LA's water and the communities that depend on it.

Here's where we stand and why.

YES on Measure PRK - (City of Los Angeles)

LA's parks are more than places to play. They're essential public spaces that keep our communities healthy, provide relief from extreme heat, and help protect our waterways from pollution.

Unfortunately, LA has chronically underfunded its parks for decades, leaving many facilities in disrepair and communities without the green spaces they deserve.

Measure PRK would help change that. It would gradually double the minimum funding guaranteed to LA's Department of Recreation and Parks over ten years, without raising taxes.

That means more resources to maintain parks, restore recreation centers and pools, care for green spaces, and make these essential public amenities accessible to more Angelenos.

And the benefits go beyond recreation. Our parks are vital natural infrastructure. Healthy green spaces absorb stormwater, reduce polluted runoff, improve water quality, and help cool neighborhoods affected by extreme heat. Investing in our parks means investing in healthier communities and a more climate-resilient LA.

LA Waterkeeper supports Measure PRK because every Angeleno deserves access to safe, welcoming green spaces, and because protecting our parks is part of protecting our water.

Learn more: Yes on Measure PRK

NO on Proposition 43 - (Statewide)

Keeping our water clean takes investment. From upgrading aging infrastructure to protecting open space and preparing for wildfires, communities need the ability to fund projects that keep people and our environment safe.

Proposition 43 would make that harder.

Currently, local special taxes proposed directly by voters through citizen initiatives can pass with a simple majority. Prop. 43 would raise that threshold to two-thirds, allowing just over one-third of voters to block measures supported by the majority.

Why does this matter for our water?

As California faces growing pressure on its water supplies, communities need more tools, not fewer, to protect their resources. Large industrial users, including water-intensive data centers, can place additional demands on local water systems.

Today, a majority of local voters can approve citizen-led taxes to help fund clean water projects, including measures that ask large water users to contribute. Prop. 43 would raise the approval threshold for these taxes to two-thirds, making it harder for communities to secure funding and ensure major water users pay their fair share.

It could also create new barriers to funding safe drinking water, watershed restoration, wildfire protection, and other essential local projects.

LA Waterkeeper opposes Prop. 43 because we believe communities should have the power to decide how to protect their water and fund the services they need.

Learn more: No on Prop. 43

NO on Proposition 45 - (Statewide)

California needs more housing, clean energy, and infrastructure. But building for our future shouldn't mean sacrificing the health of our communities and environment.

Proposition 45 would change key environmental safeguards by amending the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), a foundational law that requires agencies to examine the environmental impacts of development projects and gives communities opportunities to weigh in.

Prop. 45 would speed up approvals for broad categories of projects deemed "essential," including housing, water, energy, and transportation infrastructure. But it would also limit public comment periods, narrow the review of less environmentally harmful alternatives, and restrict legal challenges when environmental rules are violated.

These changes could allow projects with significant environmental impacts to move forward without adequate review or meaningful community input.

For communities already burdened by pollution, these protections are especially important. Environmental review helps identify threats to water quality, air quality, public health, and surrounding ecosystems before the damage is done.

LA Waterkeeper supports responsible development that meets our region's needs. But speeding up construction should never come at the expense of environmental protections, transparency, or community voices.

LA Waterkeeper opposes Prop. 45 because we believe California can build the housing and infrastructure it needs while still protecting our waterways and ensuring communities have a say in what gets built in their neighborhoods.

Learn more: No on Prop. 45

Key Dates to Remember

NOW – Early voting by mail or drop box

OCT 24 — Select vote centers open across LA County.

OCT 27 — Recommended date to mail your ballot at the post office to allow enough time for delivery.

NOV 3 — Election Day! Polls are open from 7 AM to 8 PM.

*Note, in California you can register to vote until election day.

Find Your Election Information

To find out how and where you can vote, visit here.

Track your vote! Sign up for California's Where's My Ballot? service to track your ballot and get updates when it's received, and counted.

Your Vote is Your Voice

Clean water and healthy communities don't happen by accident. It takes strong environmental protections, sustained public investment, and communities willing to stand up for the places we call home.

This November 3, make your voice heard and help build an LA where everyone has access to clean water, healthy neighborhoods, and a more sustainable, climate-resilient future.

Disclaimer: LA Waterkeeper's positions on these ballot measures reflect our commitment to clean water, healthier communities, and a sustainable future for all Angelenos. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, LA Waterkeeper does not endorse political candidates. Paid for by LA Waterkeeper.

LA Waterkeeper's November 2026 Voter Guide: Vote for a Cleaner, Greener LA