Turnout was predictably dismal for the elections in SF to date this year. Just 36% of registered voters cast a ballot in the February election, which resulted in the recall of all three board members with at least two-thirds of the votes in favor.
Then the special election in April plummeted to around 29%, as Matt Haney trounced David Campos by a 62-38 margin to represent State Assembly District 17.
Now, California's Primary Election is around the corner next week on Tuesday, June 7. Many counties, such as San Diego, Butte, and Fresno, offer early voting options. For example, SF City Hall is open weekdays and this weekend.
Election Day hours are 7am-8pm statewide for in-person voting. All registered voters received a ballot by mail. You can drop off your ballot at any polling place or official drop box in your county. If you go the USPS route, the ballot must be postmarked by Election Day for it to be valid.
California has a top-two system, meaning you can vote for any candidate in the Primary, and the two candidates with the most votes advance to the November General Election. Statewide races include Governor, US Senator, and Controller, with regional votes for the US House. SF has eight local propositions, including the contentious District Attorney recall.
Governor:
Gavin Newsom is expected to coast as one of the two selections. The CA Republican Party endorses State Sen. Brian Dahle, who represents northeastern California, including South Lake Tahoe, Redding, and Auburn.
US Senator:
Rob Padilla, Governor Newsom's appointee, is also forecast to be one of the top two vote getters. The CA Republican Party endorses attorney Mark Meuser.
Controller:
Lanhee Chen: CA Republican Party; Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT); House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA); former House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI); OC Sheriff Don Barnes; LA Times; OC Register
Malia Cohen: CA Democratic Party; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA); Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA); Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA); State Controller Betty Yee; State Sen. Scott Wiener; SF Mayor London Breed; CA Teachers Assn; Planned Parenthood; SEIU CA
Ron Galperin: State Controller Betty Yee; LA Mayor Eric Garcetti; former State Controller John Chiang; SF Chronicle; Equality CA; Planned Parenthood
Steve Glazer: Sacramento Bee; SJ Mercury News
Laura Wells: CA Green Party; CA Peace and Freedom Party
Yvonne Yiu: former State Controller John Chiang
US House, District 11:
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi looks primed for a 19th term. John Dennis gets the SF Republican Party endorsement.
Proposition A: MUNI Reliability and Street Safety Bond
Authorize $400 million in bonds for repairs, renovation, traffic improvements, and street redesigns.
YES: SF Democratic Party, Mayor London Breed, all 11 Board of Supervisors, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, State Sen. Scott Wiener, State Asm. Phil Ting and Matt Haney, Bay Area Reporter, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle, SF Examiner, Sing Tao Daily, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Grow SF, SF Bike Coalition, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF YIMBY, SPUR, Walk SF
NO: SF Green Party, SF Republican Party
Proposition B: Building Inspection Commission
Change the appointment process and qualifications for Commission members, and shift the appointment of the Director of the Department of Building Inspector to the Mayor.
YES: SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, Bay Area Reporter, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle, SF Examiner, Alice B Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, SPUR
NO: SF Republican Party, Grow SF
Proposition C: Recall Timelines and Vacancy Appointments
Further limit the period to begin a recall signature effort, and prevent the temporary appointee from running for the same position in the next election.
YES: SF Democratic Party, SF Bay Guardian, SF Bay View, SF Examiner, Sing Tao Daily, Bernal Heights Democratic Club, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club
NO: SF Green Party, SF Republican Party, Bay Area Reporter, SF Chronicle, Alice B Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, Chinese American Democratic Club, Grow SF, SF Chamber of Commerce, SPUR
Proposition D: Office of Victim and Witness Rights; Legal Services for Domestic Violence Victims
Centralize related domestic violence services under a new City department.
YES: SF Democratic Party, State Sen. Scott Wiener, former Mayor Willie Brown, Bay Area Reporter, SF Examiner, Alice B Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, Chinese American Democratic Club, Grow SF, SF Chamber of Commerce, SPUR
NO: SF Green Party, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle, Bernal Heights Democratic Club, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club
Proposition E: Behested Payments
Further restrict the ability of Board of Supervisor members from seeking donations to benefit either a government agency or private organization.
YES: SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, Board of Supervisors President Shamann Walton, four other Supervisors (Chan, Peskin, Mar, Preston), By Area Reporter, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle, SF Examiner, Alice B Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club
NO: SF Republican Party, State Sen. Scott Wiener, three Supervisors (Stefani, Mandelman, Melgar), Chinese American Democratic Club, Grow SF, SF Chamber of Commerce, SPUR, YIMBY Action
Proposition F: Refuse Collection and Disposal
Modify the Refuse Rate Board membership and the rules for governing future changes.
YES: SF Democratic Party, Mayor London Breed, all 11 Board of Supervisors, Bay Area Reporter, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle, SF Examiner, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, SF Chamber of Commerce, SPUR
NO: SF Green Party, Sing Tao Daily, Grow SF
Proposition G: Public Health Emergency Leave
Require employers with more than 100 employees worldwide to provide up to 80 hours of paid public health emergency leave to staff in SF.
YES: SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, Bay Area Reporter, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle, SF Examiner, Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, Chinese American Democratic Club, SEIU 1021
NO: SF Republican Party, Grow SF, SF Chamber of Commerce, SPUR
Proposition H: Recall Measure Regarding Chesa Boudin
Remove District Attorney Chesa Boudin from office, prior to the term ending date of January 8, 2024, and replace with a temporary appointee by the Mayor.
YES: Marina Times, Chinese American Democratic Club, Grow SF, SF Chamber of Commerce
NO: SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, State Asm. Phil Ting, Bay Area Reporter, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle, SF Examiner, ACLU of Northern CA, CA Nurses Assn, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, SEIU 1021, Sierra Club
