Measures D and E gain healthy edge in early results

Signs in support and against Measure E in Scotts Valley. (Amaya Edwards — Santa Cruz Local/Report for America)

Last county update: 11/3/2026 10:25:00 PM

D - Offshore Drilling - Majority to pass

Vote		Total
YES		49,514 (84.50%)
NO		9,085 (15.50%)

E - Sales Tax - Majority to pass

Vote		Total
YES		34,739 (59.40%)
NO		23,745 (40.60%)

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY >> A countywide half-cent sales tax for social services held a healthy lead in early vote counts Tuesday night. At 10:15 p.m., Measure E had 59.4% of the vote, above the 50% it needs to pass.

Measure D, which would limit on-shore facilities to support deep-sea mining, appeared poised for victory with 84.5% of the vote. It needs 50% to win.

Vote tallies will continue to be updated throughout the night and in the coming days. Final election results must be certified by Dec. 3.

About the measures

Measure E aims to raise tax revenue to address the effects of the 2025 federal budget bill H.R. 1, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which has reduced the social safety net in Santa Cruz County and across the nation. The bill tightens eligibility requirements for Medi-Cal and CalFresh, which is expected to put a greater financial strain on the county, local hospitals, and community organizations trying to provide health care and food access.

The funds raised by Measure E could legally be used for any purpose, and are not legally restricted to social services. The tax needs 50% of the vote to win, while a tax limited to certain uses would need 66.6%.

A billboard urges voters to support Measure D. It would require a vote to allow on-shore infrastructure in unincorporated Santa Cruz County necessary for offshore oil drilling. (Amaya Edwards — Santa Cruz Local/Report for America)

Measure D would require a vote to allow on-shore facilities that support deep-sea mining, like pipelines and treatment plants. It would add to an existing county law that requires a vote for on-shore development supporting offshore fossil fuel drilling. It would also add language to the law that details the potential environmental harms from deep-sea mining and offshore drilling, in an attempt to bolster the protections legally.

The measure responds to federal attempts to open waters off of the Pacific Coast to deep-sea mining and offshore drilling. It would apply to unincorporated parts of the county outside of cities.