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Housing. Three of this year’s local ballot initiatives have to do with housing policy. Two of them are competing measures which essentially ask whether the city should speed up most types of housing development, including expensive apartment buildings with some affordable housing, or back only affordable housing projects. The third asks whether to impose a tax on vacant apartments.
Car-free streets. Closing JFK Drive and the Great Highway to cars has been a hot-button issue since pandemic-related closures began—now, voters will get to make the final decision.
Homelessness. One measure on the ballot addressing what city residents say is a top issue. It would create a new commission to oversee the main government agency involved in providing homelessness services.
Public safety. The District Attorney's race pits incumbent Brooke Jenkins—appointed by Mayor London Breed after the recall of Chesa Boudin—against criminal defense lawyer John Hamasaki and two other candidates. Hamasaki represents progressives—the more left-wing of the city's political factions—who strongly supported Boudin and often focus on police and prison reform, while Jenkins is a more “law-and-order” candidate who aligns with Breed and SF’s “moderate” political camp.
The city’s political direction. Only two of the five supervisor races are competitive, but they could determine whether the city’s progressive faction can maintain its majority on the Board of Supervisors. That could in turn be critical to moderate Mayor London Breed’s plans, which for now are often stymied by her progressive political opponents.
Gambling in California. An extraordinarily expensive war is underway over whether and how the state should allow sports betting. Sports gaming companies are backing Prop 27, which legalizes sports betting broadly, while Native American tribes are countering with Prop. 26, which would keep gambling on reservations. Regardless of what the advertising might say, none of this has much to do with homelessness.
The Top Issues in This Fall’s Election:
The Top Issues
Local Propositions
Local Offices
State Assembly
U.S. Congress
State Ballot Measures
State Offices
Voter Resources
Local Propositions
Local Offices
State Assembly
U.S. Congress
State Ballot Measures
State Offices
Voter Resources
Your November ballot covers local, state and national issues. Read on for information on local propositions and elected offices, state propositions and offices, and federal offices.
Local Propositions
San Francisco has a unique political system in which many government actions—whether they be new laws, tax and spending decisions or changes in how the city operates—are subject to the will of the voters. That often results in a long list of sometimes-arcane questions on election day—and this year is no exception. We’ve aimed to offer below both the basic facts and a little decoding of our ongoing exercise in direct democracy. For more on the nuts-and-bolts of how laws get made in San Francisco, check out our explainer.
Prop A
CITY RETIREE COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT AND BOARD DIRECTOR CONTRACT
Prop. A would grant additional cost-of-living benefits to certain city retirees and allow the Retirement Board to contract with future directors.
Prop B
MOVE SANITATION AND STREETS BACK TO PUBLIC WORKS
Supervisors are arguing among themselves about the best way to clean city streets, resulting in this proposal to reverse something enacted by voters just two years ago. Prop. B would undo the 2020 proposition that ordered the creation of a new Department of Sanitation and Streets and return its duties to the Department of Public Works, though the oversight commissions created by the previous measure would remain.
Prop C
HOMELESSNESS OVERSIGHT COMMISSION
There is broad concern that the city isn’t getting enough for the large sums it spends on homelessness services. The Board of Supervisors’ solution is Prop. C, which would create a new commission to oversee the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing. This new body would also appoint members of two other boards that oversee aspects of the city’s homelessness system.
Prop D
AFFORDABLE HOMES NOW
Prop. D is the latest effort by the mayor and her political allies to boost housing construction. It would speed approval of some types of projects—including market-rate housing with affordable housing components—by exempting them from the notorious “discretionary review” process, which often slows or stops development. If Prop. D gets more votes than rival Prop. E, then it nullifies the latter.
Prop E
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRODUCTION ACT
Prop. E was devised by opponents of market-rate housing development as an alternative to Prop. D above, and would accelerate approvals for affordable housing projects that meet certain occupancy and labor standards. If Prop. E gets more votes than Prop. D, then it nullifies the latter.
Prop F
LIBRARY PRESERVATION FUND
Prop. F would continue a property tax carve-out for the Library Preservation Fund, which is used to fund library services and materials. The set-aside is 2.5 cents per $100 of property tax revenue.
Prop G
STUDENT SUCCESS FUND
Schools are mostly funded separately from the city budget, but the city kicks in for different things from time to time, often as part of a very complex set of rules on how property tax revenues are distributed. Prop. G establishes a new fund for grants that aim to support the academic achievement and social and emotional wellness of SF school students. You’ll have to get into the weeds to assess the merits of the program, but the fund is expected to spend $60 million per year once it’s up and running.
Prop H
CITY ELECTIONS IN EVEN-NUMBERED YEARS
Prop. H would shift elections for mayor, sheriff, district attorney, city attorney and treasurer to even-numbered years. The political implications of this measure are complicated, since it affects the fate of current office-holders and potentially the ability of elected officials to run for higher office without giving up their current seats. Beyond that, it’s a matter of whether one big election is better than two smaller ones.
Prop I
VEHICLES ON JFK DRIVE AND GREAT HIGHWAY
There are competing measures on the ballot relating to the fate of JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park and the Great Highway along Ocean Beach. JFK was closed to cars during the pandemic and that was made permanent by the Board of Supervisors this year, amid great controversy. Meanwhile, the southern part of the Great Highway is slated to permanently close due to sea level rise, and debate has raged about whether to extend pandemic-era closures of other parts of the boulevard. Prop. I is the drivers’ revenge: Reopen all of JFK Drive and the Great Highway to cars.
Prop J
CAR-FREE JFK
Prop. J makes car-free JFK Drive permanent (See Prop I above). If it gets more votes than Prop. I, then the JFK Promenade, and its walkers and bikers and skaters, will win the day.
Prop L
RENEWAL OF TRANSPORTATION TAX
Prop. L would renew the 0.5% sales and use tax, which funds transit and street improvements, for another 30 years. It would also allow the San Francisco County Transportation Authority to issue $1.19 billion in bonds using this renewed revenue stream. It requires two-thirds of the vote to pass.
Prop M
VACANT APARTMENT TAX
Prop. M would tax apartments in buildings with three or more units that are kept vacant for more than six months. Units kept vacant for up to two years could be taxed up to $20,000. It would also establish a Housing Activation Fund to provide rental subsidies and fund affordable housing. The proposition requires a simple majority to pass.
Prop N
GOLDEN GATE PARK GARAGE AND CONCOURSE AUTHORITY
Prop. N, another measure related to cars in Golden Gate Park, would enable the city to take over the underground garage in the park’s Music Concourse and turn it into public parking. This is a taxpayer rescue for a mess of the city elite’s own making: building a hugely expensive, privately funded garage to serve the park’s museums, but then charging such high rates that no one wants to use it.
Prop O
CITY COLLEGE PARCEL TAX
Prop. O would add a small amount of additional property tax, ranging from $150 to $4,000, beginning in July 2023 to fund specific programs at City College, including student enrollment, basic skills education and job placement. It requires a simple majority to pass.
District Attorney
The District Attorney (DA) is a constitutionally elected official for the City and County of San Francisco and prosecutes criminal violations of state laws and city and county ordinances.
Maurice Chenier
Chenier is a partner at the law firm Resnick and Lewis, specializing in public entity defense. He also served as redevelopment counsel for the city of Lynwood.
Hamasaki is a criminal defense lawyer who formerly served on the Police Commission and as president of the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area. Read more at Hamasaki’s website.
Jenkins was appointed as district attorney by Mayor Breed in July after her predecessor, Chesa Boudin, was recalled from office. She is a former prosecutor in the office who was active in the recall campaign. Read more at Jenkins’ website.
Veronese is a public law attorney, former police and fire commissioner, and a former law enforcement officer. Read more at Veronese’s website.
Public Defender
The Public Defender’s Office provides legal defense to any person who is not financially able to employ their own defense attorney and who is charged with any offense triable in superior court.
Raju was appointed to head the Public Defender’s Office in March 2019 after the death of incumbent Jeff Adachi and won election to a full term that November. Before that, he was co-manager of the public defender’s felony unit. Read more at Raju’s website.
Young has served in the Public Defender’s Office for 19 years, having served as co-manager of the felony unit and started the office’s homicide unit. Read more at Young’s website.
Assessor-Recorder
The Assessor-Recorder’s Office is responsible for identifying and appraising taxable property in the city and county and assessing a proper tax for that property. The office is also responsible for maintaining public records such as marriage licenses.
Incumbent Joaquin Torres was appointed to the office in February of 2021 and was elected to the position in February 2022 after running unopposed. Read more at Torres’ website.
Board Of Supervisors
Supervisor, District Two
The Board of Supervisors, which serves as San Francisco's city council, is a legislative body responsible for passing ordinances and other laws.
What district do you live in? Use the Department of Elections’ district lookup tool.
Incumbent Supervisor Catherine Stefani is running unopposed for her second term, having been appointed to the office in January 2018. Read more at her website.
Supervisor, District Four
The Board of Supervisors, which serves as San Francisco's city council, is a legislative body responsible for passing ordinances and other laws.
What district do you live in? Use the Department of Elections’ district lookup tool.
Joel Engardio is a communications professional, public safety advocate and former newspaper columnist. Read more at Engardio’s website.
Incumbent Supervisor Gordon Mar was first elected in 2018, having previously worked as a nonprofit director and labor activist. Read more at Mar’s website.
Supervisor, District Six
The Board of Supervisors, which serves as San Francisco's city council, is a legislative body responsible for passing ordinances and other laws.
What district do you live in? Use the Department of Elections’ district lookup tool.
Billie Cooper is an HIV and housing activist and a former Community Grand Marshall of the SF Pride Parade. Read more at Cooper’s website.
Incumbent Supervisor Matt Dorsey is a former political communications professional who was appointed by Mayor Breed in May 2022. Read more at Dorsey’s website.
Cherelle Jackson is a civil servant, educator and labor activist. Read more at Jackson’s website.
Mahogany is a former aide to Dorsey’s predecessor, Assemblymember Matt Haney, a small business owner, performer and activist. She also chairs the local Democratic Party. Read more at Mahogany’s website.
Supervisor, District Eight
The Board of Supervisors, which serves as San Francisco's city council, is a legislative body responsible for passing ordinances and other laws.
What district do you live in? Use the Department of Elections’ district lookup tool.
Incumbent Supervisor Rafael Mandelman is a former public law attorney first elected as supervisor in 2018. He formerly served on the City College Board of Trustees and the Board of Appeals. Read more at Mandelman’s website.
Stoia is an attorney, small business owner and nonprofit board member. Read more at Stoia’s website.
Supervisor, District Ten
The Board of Supervisors, which serves as San Francisco's city council, is a legislative body responsible for passing ordinances and other laws.
What district do you live in? Use the Department of Elections’ district lookup tool.
Adam is a technical writer with the city’s Department of Technology. Read more at Adam’s website.
Walton is a former nonprofit director, community organizer, and school board member. He was elected Supervisor in 2018. Read more at Walton’s website.
Board of Education
Members of the Board of Education are state officials who oversee the governance of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD).
Fisher is a special education advocate, consultant and parent. Read more at Fisher’s website.
Fleshman is a diversity and equity consultant who served on the working group monitoring implementation of reforms at the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD). Read more at Fleshman’s website.
Hsu is an engineer, entrepreneur and former chair of the school district’s Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee. She was appointed to the school board after three members were recalled in February 2022. Read more at Hsu’s website.
López is a public school teacher, and former president of the Board of Education. She was one of three school board members that were recalled in February 2022. Read more at López’s website.
Motamedi is a former policy analyst at the California Public Utilities Commission and program manager at the National Park Service. She was appointed to the school board after three members were recalled in February 2022. Read more at Motamedi’s website.
Weissman-Ward is an immigration rights lawyer and teacher. She was appointed to the school board after three members were recalled in February 2022. Read more at Weissman-Ward’s website.
City College Board of Trustees
Community College Board (Four-Year Term)
The City College Board of Trustees oversee the governance of City College of San Francisco (CCSF or City College for short), and its eleven centers.
Vick Chung
Vickie Van Chung is a community organizer, sexual health educator and former CCSF student who served as a student trustee.
Incumbent Brigitte Davila is currently president of the CCSF Board of Trustees and was first elected in 2014. She is an attorney and a professor of Latino/Latina Studies at San Francisco State University. Read more at Davila’s website.
Hurabiell is a lawyer, entrepreneur, member of the Georgetown University’s Board of Regents and former Chair of the Presidio Trust Board. Read more at Hurabiell’s website.
Martinez is a retired CCSF instructor, administrator and former president of American Federation of Teachers Local 2121, the union for CCSF faculty. Read more at Martinez’s website.
Incumbent John Rizzo is a technology writer and former aerospace engineer. He is also policy manager at the San Francisco Bay Chapter of the Sierra Club. He was first elected to the CCSF Board in 2006 and is currently vice president. Read more at Rizzo’s website.
Incumbent Thea Selby is a marketing professional who was first elected to the CCSF board in 2014. She also served on the board of the California High Speed Rail Authority and Citizens General Obligation Bond Oversight Committee. Read more at Selby’s website.
Solomon is a retired elementary school teacher and former president of the United Educators of San Francisco, the union for SF Unified School District educators. Read more at Solomon’s campaign page.
Walker is a substitute teacher and former community organizer with Coleman Advocates, SF Transit Riders and the American Civil Liberties Union. Read more at Walker’s website.
Yee is a lawyer and an instructor, former department chair and former academic dean at City College. She established the Asian American Studies program at the college. Read more at Yee’s website.
Zeng is a data engineer and is currently a contracts manager at Pacific Gas & Electric Company. Read more at Zeng’s website.
Community College Board (Two-Year Term)
The City College Board of Trustees oversee the governance of City College of San Francisco (CCSF or City College for short), and its eleven centers.
Green was appointed to the CCSF Board by Mayor Breed in May 2022. He is Dean of Academic Counseling and Student Services for West Valley College, and is a former Financial Aid Counselor at CCSF. Read more at Green’s website.
Landry is director of an arts nonprofit and a member of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission Reparations Advisory Committee. Read more at Landry’s website.
Velasquez is a former counselor and former chair of the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services program at City College. Read more at Velasquez’s website.
Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) Board of Directors, District 8
The BART Board is a regional body with nine districts governing BART operations within its service area. District 8 serves the western, northern, and the southern borders of San Francisco.
Li was Advocacy Director at the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition when she was first elected to the BART Board of Directors in 2018. She is now Director of the Coalition for Community Safety and Justice. Read more at Li’s website.
Board of Equalization, District 2
The State Board of Equalization regulates procedures relevant to the assessment of property and other state taxes.
Lieber is a former assemblymember and Mountain View City Council member and is an advisor to the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority. Read more at Lieber’s website.
Verbica is a lawyer and wealth fund manager based in San Francisco. Read more at Verbica’s website.
State Assembly
State Assembly, District 17
The California State Assembly is one of two state legislative bodies. Assembly District 17 (AD 17) covers the eastern half of San Francisco, while Assembly District 19 (AD 19) covers the western half of San Francisco and part of northern San Mateo County.
What district do you live in? Use the Department of Elections district lookup tool.
David Campos
Democratic
Campos is a lawyer, former member of the Board of Supervisors, former chair of the San Francisco Democratic Party and former county executive. His campaign is no longer active.
Haney was elected to the state Assembly in April 2022. Formerly, he served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and the Board of Education. Read more at Haney’s website.
State Assembly, District 19
The California State Assembly is one of two state legislative bodies. Assembly District 17 (AD 17) covers the eastern half of San Francisco, while Assembly District 19 (AD 19) covers the western half of San Francisco and part of northern San Mateo County.
What district do you live in? Use the Department of Elections district lookup tool.
Incumbent Phil Ting was first elected to the Assembly in 2012. He was formerly San Francisco’s assessor-recorder and is a former nonprofit director and consultant. Read more at Ting’s website.
Weide is a media and technology executive. Read more at Weide’s website.
U.S. Congress
US Congress, District 11
The United States Congress, or the House of Representatives, is the lower chamber of the federal legislative branch.
Dennis is a real estate developer and former technology executive. He is also chair of the San Francisco Republican Party. Read more at Dennis’ website.
Pelosi is a former Democratic Party officer, activist and fundraiser. She has served San Francisco in Congress since 1983. She served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011 and has served again in that capacity since 2019. Read more at Pelosi’s website.
US Congress, District 15
The United States Congress, or the House of Representatives, is the lower chamber of the federal legislative branch.
Canepa is a member of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. Read more at Canepa’s website.
Mullin is an assemblymember representing the South Bay and is speaker pro tempore of the state Assembly. Read more at Mullin’s website.
State Ballot Measures
Prop 1
REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
Prop. 1 would amend the California Constitution to enshrine a fundamental right to reproductive freedom. That includes the right to choose to have an abortion and the right to choose or refuse contraceptives.
- Yes on 1 committee
- Abortion rights groups, including Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California and NARAL Pro-Choice California
- California Medical Association
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
- League of Women Voters of California
- SEIU California
- Equality California
- Gov. Gavin Newsom, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla and other Democratic statewide elected officials Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and dozens of other Democratic legislators
- California Democratic Party
- Health Care for All-California
Prop 26
TRIBAL SPORTS BETTING
Would allow tribal casinos and the state’s four horse race tracks to offer in-person sports betting.
- Yes on 26 committee
- 27 tribes and tribal organizations, led by tribes with casinos including Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, Pechanga Band of Indians, Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation
- NAACP, California-Hawaii state conference
- Labor leader Dolores Huerta, and Communications Workers of America
- Lieutenant Gov. Eleni Kounalakis
- Treasurer Fiona Ma
- California Young Democrats, and many local Democratic committees
- California District Attorneys Association
Prop 27
ONLINE SPORTS BETTING
Would allow licensed tribes and gaming companies which contract with them to offer mobile and online sports betting.
- Yes on Prop. 27 committee
- FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM and four other gaming companies, which are funding the measure
- Three Native American tribes: Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachi Yokut Tribe, Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians, and Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians
- Mayors of Fresno, Sacramento, Oakland, and Long Beach
- Some homelessness advocates, including Bay Area Community Services and Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessness
- Major League Baseball
Prop 28
ARTS AND MUSIC EDUCATION FUNDS
Requires the state to allocate at least 1% of Prop. 98 funding — money guaranteed for public schools and community colleges in the state budget — for music and arts education.
- Vote Yes on 28 committee
- SEIU California
- California Democratic Party
- Local arts organizations
- Local music and arts education groups
Prop 29
NEW RULES FOR DIALYSIS CLINICS
This is the third ballot initiative in recent years that aims to change how kidney dialysis clinic operates. Sponsored primarily by a unit of the Service Employees International Union, it would require kidney dialysis clinics to have at least one physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant with six months of relevant experience available on site or, in some cases, via telehealth. Also mandates data reporting and other requirements.
- Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West
- California Democratic Party
- Yes on 29 committee
- California Labor Federation
Prop 30
TAX INCREASE ON HIGH INCOMES FOR EV PROGRAMS
Imposes a 1.75% personal income tax increase on Californians making more than $2 million per year to fund climate programs. Sponsored primarily by ride-hailing company Lyft, most of the money would go towards rebates for the purchase of zero-emission cars, as well as more charging stations.
- Yes on 30 Clean Air Coalition
- Cal Fire Local 2881
- California State Association of Electrical Workers
- Unite HERE
- California Democratic Party
- Lyft
- State Building and Construction Trades Council
- California Environmental Voters
Prop 31
UPHOLD BAN ON FLAVORED TOBACCOS
Affirms a 2020 law banning sale of some flavored tobacco products. The law has not gone into effect yet because tobacco companies funded and qualified this referendum.
- Yes on 31 committee
- American Lung Association
- American Heart Association
- SEIU California
- Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
- California State PTA
- California Democratic Party
State Offices
Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Secretary of State
Treasurer
Controller
Insurance Commissioner
Supervisor of Public Instruction
US Senator (Full Term)
US Senator (Partial Term)
Voter Resources
The San Francisco Department of Elections has a voter portal that can walk you through the process of voting.
Unregistered voters must register to vote by Oct. 24 to participate in the Nov. 8 election. To register online, visit the state’s registration website or visit this page at the Department of Elections to request a paper registration form.
If you didn’t register to vote by the deadline, or if for some reason you cannot verify your eligibility to vote when doing so in person (such as walking into the wrong polling place on Election Day), you may have to vote provisionally. Click here to see how this works.
You can use the Department of Elections’ voter portal to check if you are registered.
Under a 2016 ordinance, noncitizen San Francisco residents are able to vote in elections for school board, including in this November’s school board race. However, the ordinance is subject to a legal challenge. For the most recent update, read here.
You must be 18 years or older to vote. San Francisco voters have twice rejected ordinances to lower the voting age from 18 to 16.
If you’ve been convicted of a crime, you may still vote. Persons convicted of misdemeanors do not lose their right to vote. Persons convicted of felonies cannot vote while serving their sentence, but voting rights are restored upon release, including for parole. However, persons convicted of felonies must reregister to vote.
There are a number of special circumstances that the Department of Elections accommodates with the goal of ensuring that every eligible San Franciscan may vote. For example, voters without a fixed address may register by describing where they live in Section 14 of the voter registration application.
Read more about special voting circumstances, including military and overseas voters, voters with disabilities, and voters with certain life-threatening circumstances, here.
You may vote early in person at City Hall beginning on Oct. 11 through Election Day, Nov. 8. The City Hall Voting Center will be open for ballot drop-off at the following hours:
- Every weekday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- The last two weekends before election day (Oct. 29 to 30 and Nov. 5 to 6), between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Nov. 8 (Election Day), from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
You may also vote early using 24/7 ballot drop-off locations throughout the city. There will be 34 official ballot drop boxes around the city where you can deposit your ballot starting Oct. 10 through 8 p.m. on Election Day. For more information, click here.
To vote by mail, look out for a ballot to arrive at your residence on or around Oct. 10. Your ballot must be postmarked by Election Day (Nov. 8) in order to be valid; you may also drop off your ballot at City Hall or at an official drop box. Click here for more information on voting by mail.
For those wishing to vote in person on Election Day, you may also vote at the polling space associated with your registered address. The list of polling locations will be available at the Department of Elections website in September.
Once you’ve voted, you can track the status of your ballot by signing up to track your ballot at this website, or by using the Department of Elections voter portal.
Happy voting!
Descriptions of ballot measures and candidates for office in this voter guide are not endorsements. Information on local propositions and offices has been compiled from public sources, including the San Francisco Department of Elections. Information on state propositions and offices is courtesy of CalMatters