Santa Ana Measure N remains on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. Vote-by-mail ballots began arriving in households on Oct. 5, per the OC Registrar of Voters. The official voter pamphlet contains no argument against Measure N — no opposition group submitted one — leaving only the pro-extension argument signed by Councilmember Thai Viet Phan, Measure X oversight committee member Michael Chu, Santa Ana Police Officers Association board member Paul McClaskey, and resident Adriana Alba, who characterize it as "not a tax increase."

Measure X, approved by Santa Ana voters in November 2018, raised the city's combined sales tax rate to 9.25% — tied for the highest in Orange County (Tustin and Irvine sit at 7.75% by comparison). It currently generates approximately $84 million per year in unrestricted general-fund revenue. Under existing law, the rate steps down to 1 cent in 2029 — a reduction the city estimates would cost roughly $30 million per year — and expires entirely in 2039. Measure N, formally titled the "Santa Ana Streets, Public Safety, Essential City Services Measure," would delete both dates, requiring a simple majority to pass.

The City Council placed Measure N on the ballot on a 5-2 vote, with Council Members David Penaloza and Jessie Lopez opposed. At both the Sept. 24 Com-Link forum at Heroes Elementary and the Sept. 29 Santa Ana College forum, Ward 4 incumbent Phil Bacerra said he opposes the extension, faulting it for not fixing the structural deficit — even though he voted to place it on the ballot. Mayor Valerie Amezcua argued the extension is needed to avoid slower emergency response. Ward 2 incumbent Benjamin Vazquez has defended the revenue as protecting police, fire, libraries, and parks. LAist listed Bacerra as a supporter, which conflicts with his stated forum positions; he did not sign the official yes argument.

The OC Register editorial board urged a No vote on Sept. 7, arguing the tax has not materially improved the city's balance sheet: Santa Ana's unrestricted net position worsened from −$501 million in FY2018 to −$568 million in FY2025. The board also cited 2025 combined pay-and-benefit totals of $510,964.65 for Police Chief Robert Rodriguez and $508,447.48 for City Manager Alvaro Nuñez as evidence of sustained spending pressure.

The City of Santa Ana launched a Community Priorities Survey on Sept. 28, asking residents to rank city programs and services, with results to inform budget planning. The city has not formally linked the survey to Measure N.

With ballots already in voters' hands and the official argument period closed, the remaining markers before Election Day are: labor union and business group endorsements, the city's Community Priorities Survey results, any independent expenditure committee filings with the OC Registrar of Voters, and the Nov. 3 election itself. The voter registration deadline was Oct. 19.