Costa Mesa preliminary ballot results: Yes leads on Measure C

COSTA MESA, California — Yes leads on Measure C in the Orange County Registrar of Voters’ election-night returns for November 3, 2026. The dashboard was marked updated at 11:00 p.m. Pacific. These are unofficial figures, and this report does not declare any measure adopted or defeated.

What voters were deciding

The proposal changes the business-license tax for companies with more than $500,000 in annual gross receipts. According to the city’s explanation, businesses at or below that amount would receive no increase. The proposed rate above that threshold is 50 cents per $1,000 in gross receipts, with a $15,000 annual cap for businesses earning $30 million or more.

Reported votes

Measure C: Business-license tax reform

Yes: 13,223 votes (71.71%).
No: 5,216 votes (28.29%).

The reported margin between the two choices was 8,007 votes.

What happens next

The percentages describe votes reported for this measure in this release; they are not a turnout figure or a count of every registered voter. Additional ballot processing and the official canvass can change totals and margins. A numerical lead in an incomplete release should not be read as a final legal determination of passage.

Readers should use the dated figures above when comparing later updates. Any implementation would depend on the final outcome and the measure’s provisions; this preliminary report does not establish an effective date.

Sources: Orange County Registrar of Voters official results page and its results dashboard (November 3, 2026, 11:00 p.m. Pacific); measure background; official measure designations.

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