San Mateo Measure H: 10,950 Yes Votes on Quarter-Cent Local Sales Tax

SAN MATEO, California — November 5, 2026. A quarter-cent-per-dollar transactions-and-use tax proposed for the City of San Mateo has an early Yes majority. County results displayed at 2:06 a.m. November 4 show 10,950 Yes votes (about 59.4%) and 7,486 No (about 40.6%) for Measure H, a difference of 3,464 votes. The totals are unofficial and subject to further lawful counting.

What is actually being proposed?

The City of San Mateo’s official ballot page identifies Measure H as a ¼-cent Transactions and Use Sales Tax Measure. One-quarter of one percentage point represents an extra 25 cents of tax for each $100 in taxable transactions where the levy legally applies. The exact revenue administration and exemptions depend on California tax rules and the city ordinance; the measure should not be described as a new tax on all income or an annual charge paid equally by every household.

Counted votes versus turnout

The valid Yes and No choices listed for Measure H total 18,436. This is not necessarily the number of unique people voting in the city, because a voter can participate in other races while leaving this question blank. More valid mail and provisional ballots could change both the reported Yes and No totals and the percentage.

Separate charter reform and council races

Measure F on the same ballot concerns changes to the city charter, not a second sales tax. San Mateo is also selecting council representatives in Districts 1, 3 and 5. Our District 5 report describes the five-vote difference in that election; neither its candidate totals nor its turnout can be inferred from Measure H’s Yes/No tally.

Next releases

The legal canvass continues. The results cited here are from NBC Bay Area’s San Mateo County election page, reflecting an early Wednesday report rather than a new Thursday count. County officials will certify results after processing remaining eligible ballots and required post-election checks.

Official results are still pending

The San Mateo County Elections office is continuing to review eligible mailed ballots, provisional votes and other canvass items. The county’s next reports may raise candidate or measure totals. An election-night expected-vote percentage is not the same thing as certification. California county canvasses are required to conclude by December 3, and statewide certification is scheduled for December 11, 2026. Readers can consult San Mateo County Elections for the current election report.

California58 Local Elections Desk, published November 5, 2026. Vote tallies reflect the dated early-November-4 report carried by NBC Bay Area and other cited official local election sources. All figures remain unofficial.

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