Each semester, Sacramento State community members may see tables around campus with signs urging registered voters to sign several proposed statewide ballot measures. These tables have been seen in front of the University Library quad and across from The Hornet Bookstore.

Petitioners have been approaching students for signatures on proposed ballot measures for the November midterm elections. Those interested put down their name, address and signature to affirm their support for any of interest.

Various measures include a one-time tax on billionaires, support for medical research and affordable housing, among 27 others.

The number of signatures needed to get a measure on the ballot in California depends on the total number of votes cast for the governor in the previous election, ranging from 5%-8% of the voting population to have a measure considered. Circulators, those who collect signatures, have 180 days to get signatures after the ballot title is provided and must have them verified at least 131 days before the November 2026 midterm elections.

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Lisa Becerril is a circulator for People to People Solutions, one of the organizations that have been petitioning since the beginning of the semester. Becerril said she has been working as a circulator for 10 years and comes to Sac State often to table.

People to People Solutions is a management platform that supports political campaigns for candidates and measures. Becerril said that People to People Solutions pays her a daily rate, but some circulators are paid by the signature.

“We’re here for the people, [to give them] a chance to vote on issues that they’re passionate about,” Becerril said.

Among these issues is a proposed loan program for middle-income buyers of new homes. Becerril said this program is important to her because of the high cost of living in the state. The Sacramento area’s cost of living is about 29% higher than the rest of the country, while 11.3% of residents live below the poverty line.

“The people that fall above that line still need help,” Becerril said. “They get missed.”

Any time an interested student walked up to the table, Becerril asked them whether they were registered to vote in Sacramento County. For those not registered here, she had petitions for every county in the state.

Becerril said the response from students has been generally positive at Sac State. She said that they get about 100 students signing 14 petitions per day, averaging 1,400 signatures every day. Becerril said her organization has not been told to move their tables and have been able to interact with the campus community.

As a public university, Sac State’s Time, Place and Manner Policy dictates that tables like Becerril’s are allowed in public areas. The university defines public areas as locations where access is allowed, provided that activities are lawful and don’t interfere with university operations.

“We get a lot [of students], I find that most students are pretty interested. They have integrity. They care,” Becerril said.

Kevin Sayas, a first-year exercise science major, signed several measures at the People to People Solutions table. He said he had seen the tables around campus several times and was most drawn by the act supporting cancer research for children.

“I’d already signed before,” Sayas said. “It’s mostly good causes. I have the free time. I might as well.”

 

A student signs a petition at Sac State Feb. 12th, 2026. These tables have attracted student attention across campus since the start of the spring semester. (Vivian Gonzalez)

Californians for Health Care Worker’s Right to Vote is another group gathering student signatures on campus that tables for a measure that would restrict political spending by healthcare unions. They are sponsored by the California Hospital Association, who said in a statement that the committee is dedicated to raising awareness.

CHA said they aim to qualify The Health Care Union Transparency, Accountability & Union Member Right to Vote Act for the state ballot next election day.

According to a CHA statement, the act] will require major health care unions to get approval of their members before spending more than $1 million each year on a statewide ballot measure.

Thomas Lang, a fifth-year economics major, had signed several of the petitions and said he was most interested in the one-time billionaire tax. Lang said he was drawn to how welcoming the circulator was.

“I felt a little less harassed,” Lang said. “Normally I don’t sign stuff, but that one was just a little more welcoming.”

Lang said he was interested in petitions surrounding healthcare, as well as another that would tax high income earners to fund schools and healthcare programs. Although he didn’t sign every petition, Lang said he was sure to put his signature down for issues he understood.

“I do think it’s important to have a limited [spending] power on those who have higher incomes because there are a lot of people who need help in lower income situations,” Lang said. “Anything that can help them, I’d be happier to sign.”