Benicia Measures X, Y, Z: X and Z Lead, but Y Trails in Updated County Count

UPDATED NOVEMBER 5 — NOVEMBER 4, 7:40 P.M. COUNTY RESULTS. Solano’s later count lists Measure X: 6,027 Yes to 3,638 No; Measure Y: 4,282 Yes to 5,200 No; and Measure Z: 4,957 Yes to 4,725 No. Although Z has a 232-vote Yes lead, the proposed real-property transfer tax would only become effective under the joint approval conditions described in the measure text. Measure Y is currently below a simple majority; therefore, do not describe Measure Z as an enacted new transfer tax. All returns remain unofficial. Earlier counts are retained below.

Earlier November 4 figures

BENICIA, Calif. — November 4, 2026, evening editorial review. Three local tax and city-government measures on Benicia’s November 3 ballot show different results in the early Solano County count. In the initial figures displayed by Local News Matters, Measure X has a strong Yes majority, Measure Y trails, and Measure Z has more Yes than No votes. But the measures are not legally interchangeable: under the stated ballot language, the proposed real-property transfer tax in Measure Z takes effect only if voters approve both Measure Y and Measure Z. These early returns have not been certified.

Measure X: Business license tax modernization

The initial results show 4,316 Yes (65.59%) and 2,264 No (34.41%) for Measure X. The proposal would revise business-license taxes, exempting businesses with annual receipts of $100,000 or less and establishing business-category tax rates. The city estimated around $1.61 million in first-year revenue from the new structure, based on its ballot description. The proposal also sets special rules for marine terminals.

Measure Y: Limited city charter

Measure Y shows 3,098 Yes (47.70%) and 3,397 No (52.30%), an early 299-vote No lead. It would adopt a limited city charter and continue Benicia’s existing council-manager government while enabling the transfer tax described in Measure Z, provided both measures receive voter approval.

Measure Z: Real-property transfer tax

Measure Z shows 3,534 Yes (53.45%) and 3,078 No (46.55%), an early 456-vote Yes lead. The measure establishes transfer-tax brackets that depend on the sale amount, with a specific exemption for existing homes selling for $2 million or less. The city’s ballot materials estimate about $230,000 per year in revenue. Crucially, a Yes majority on Z alone does not establish that the proposed tax will take effect if Y fails. Both must be approved under the published measure language.

When will the results be final?

The three figures above are a first-results snapshot, not a complete November 4 or November 5 canvass. The Vallejo Sun reported that at 4:51 p.m. November 4, approximately 40,000 ballots remained to be processed countywide. That does not mean 40,000 remain from Benicia. The City of Benicia provides ballot texts and impartial analyses; the Solano County Registrar provides the authoritative later tally.

Sources: Local News Matters’ initial vote tables for Measures X, Y and Z; City of Benicia official election and measure materials; Vallejo Sun November 4 county ballot-processing update. Unofficial.

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