Randy's Guide 5-8-4: General Election

California's deadline for voter registration online or postmarked is today, October 21. Do it today at https://registertovote.ca.gov. You can also same-day register in person while voting at a polling location.

In San Francisco, early voting started at City Hall. Hours are 8am-5pm weekdays, as well as 10am-4pm for the next two weekends. You can check your polling location or wait time at https://sfelections.org/tools/map_poll_time.

Election Day is November 5... less than three weeks away! Polls will be open 7am-8pm. As long as you are in line at 8pm, you will be permitted to vote. You can drop off your mail-in ballot at any polling location within your registered county. A mailed ballot must be postmarked by Election Day for it to be countable.

The State ballot is long. The SF and CA election books are over 400 pages combined! Besides the Presidential, Senate, and House races, there are 10 California propositions and 15 SF propositions. Six of 11 SF Supervisor districts, half of State Senate districts, all State Assembly districts, SF Mayor, and other local positions are up for a vote.

- 10 State Measures -

Proposition 2: Public Schools
Authorize $10 billion in bonds to build or improve K-12 and community college facilities.

YES - CA Democratic Party, CA Green Party, CA Republican Party, Bay Area Reporter, LA Times, Sacramento Bee, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle, CA Chamber of Commerce, CA Teachers, GrowSF, SEIU CA, Sierra Club CA, SPUR

NO - CA Libertarian Party, SF Green Party, OC Register, San Diego Union-Tribune, San Jose Mercury News, State Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones (R-San Diego)

Proposition 3: Right to Marriage

Amend State Constitution to recognize right to marry, regardless of sex or race.

YES - CA Democratic Party, CA Green Party, CA Libertarian Party, Sen. Alex Padilla, Sen. Laphonza Butler, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Gov. Gavin Newsom, LA Mayor Karen Bass, SF Mayor London Breed, State Sen. Scott Wiener, Bay Area Reporter, LA Times, OC Register, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle, ACLU CA, CA Chamber of Commerce, GrowSF, SEIU CA

NO - American Council of Evangelicals, CA Family Council

Proposition 4: Climate Risks

Authorize $10 billion in bonds for projects on water, wildfire prevention, natural lands, coastline, renewable energy, and agriculture.

YES - CA Democratic Party, Bay Area Reporter, LA Times, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle, GrowSF, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, SEIU CA, Sierra Club CA, SPUR

NO - CA Republican Party, CA Libertarian Party, SF Green Party, OC Register

Proposition 5: Affordable Housing and Infrastructure

Amend State Constitution to lower voter approval requirement for local bonds of affordable housing or infrastructure from two-thirds to 55%.

YES - CA Democratic Party, CA Green Party, Bay Area Reporter, LA Times, SF Bay Guardian, GrowSF, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, SEIU CA, SPUR

NO - CA Republican Party, CA Libertarian Party, OC Register, SF Chronicle, CA Chamber of Commerce

Proposition 6: Involuntary Servitude for Incarcerated Persons

Amend State Constitution to remove provision allowing prisons to impose involuntary work.

YES - CA Democratic Party, CA Green Party, Bay Area Reporter, LA Times, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle, GrowSF, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, SEIU CA

NO - CA Republican Party, OC Register

Proposition 32: Minimum Wage

Increase State minimum wage of $16 to $18 by 2025 for larger employers and 2026 for smaller employers.

YES - CA Democratic Party, CA Green Party, Bay Area Reporter, LA Times, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle, GrowSF, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, SEIU CA

NO - CA Libertarian Party, CA Republican Party, OC Register, CA Chamber of Commerce

Proposition 33: Rent Control

Repeal State law that prevents cities and counties from limiting initial rent or rent increases in most properties.

YES - CA Democratic Party, CA Green Party, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, Bay Area Reporter, SF Bay Guardian, CA Nurses, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, SF Tenants Union

NO - CA Libertarian Party, CA Republican Party, Gov. Gavin Newsom, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, LA Times, OC Register, Sacramento Bee, San Jose Mercury News, SF Chronicle, CA Chamber of Commerce, GrowSF, SPUR

Proposition 34: Health Care

Require certain larger health care providers to spend 98% of revenues from federal discount prescriptions on direct patient care, and authorizes the State to negotiate Medi-Cal drug prices on a statewide basis.

YES - CA Republican Party, OC Register, CA Chamber of Commerce, CA Firefighters, GrowSF, Hep B Free SF, NAACP CA

NO - CA Green Party, Bay Area Reporter, LA Times, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, NOW

Proposition 35: Medi-Cal

Extend the tax on managed health care insurance plans to fund specified Medi-Cal services.

YES - CA Democratic Party, CA Green Party, CA Republican Party, Bay Area Reporter, SF Bay Guardian, GrowSF, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, NAACP CA, Planned Parenthood CA, United Farm Workers

NO - CA Libertarian Party, LA Times, OC Register, SF Chronicle

Proposition 36: Crime

Increase charges and sentences for certain drug or theft crimes.

YES - CA Republican Party, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, SF Mayor London Breed, former Rep. Jackie Speier, San Diego Union-Tribune, San Jose Mercury News, CA Chamber of Commerce, CA District Attorneys, GrowSF, SF Police Officers, Target

NO - CA Democratic Party, CA Green Party, Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sen. Alex Padilla, State Sen. Scott Wiener, Bay Area Reporter, LA Times, OC Register, SF Bay Guardian, CA Nurses, CA Teachers, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, SEIU CA

- 15 County Measures -

Proposition A: Local Schools

Authorize $790 million in bonds for school upgrades. Requires 55% to pass.

YES - SF Democratic Party, Mayor London Breed, Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, former Interim Mayor Mark Farrell, Mayoral candidate Daniel Lurie, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle, Alice B Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, GrowSF, SEIU 1021, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Police Officers, SF Tenants Union, SPUR

NO - SF Green Party, SF Libertarian Party, SF Republican Party

Proposition B: Health Care, Shelter, and Public Spaces

Authorize $390 million in bonds for interim housing, public spaces, and City health care facilities. Requires 2/3 to pass, unless State Proposition 5 passes to allow 55% to pass.

YES - SF Democratic Party, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle, Mayor London Breed, State Sen. Scott Wiener, all 11 Board of Supervisors, Alice B Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, GrowSF, SEIU 1021, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Police Officers, SF Tenants Union, Sierra Club SF, SPUR, Walk SF

NO - SF Green Party, SF Republican Party

Proposition C: Inspector General

Create Inspector General position to review complaints, issue subpoenas, and execute search warrants.

YES - SF Green Party, State Assm. Phil Ting, all 11 Board of Supervisors, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, SEIU 1021, SF Tenants Union

NO - SF Democratic Party, SF Republican Party, Alice B Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, GrowSF, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Police Officers

Proposition D: City Commissions and Mayoral/Police Chief Authority

Limit the number of City commissions, and give more authority to the Mayor and Police Chief.

YES - SF Democratic Party, SF Republican Party, former Interim Mayor Mark Farrell, GrowSF, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Police Officers

NO - SF Green Party, State Assm. Phil Ting, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle, Alice B Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, SEIU 1021, SF Tenants Union, SPUR

Proposition E: City Commission Task Force

Create a Task Force to review the City commissions, with recommendations due by February 2026.

YES - SF Bay Guardian, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, SEIU 1021, SF Tenants Union

NO - SF Democratic Party, SF Republican Party, SF Chronicle, Alice B Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, GrowSF, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Police Officers, SPUR

Proposition F: Police Staffing and Deferred Retirement

Modify police staffing regulations and create a deferred retirement program.

YES - SF Democratic Party, SF Republican Party, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, State Sen. Scott Wiener, Mayor London Breed, Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, GrowSF, SEIU 1021, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Police Officers

NO - SF Green Party, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle, ACLU of Northern CA, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, SF Tenants Union

Proposition G: Affordable Housing Subsidies

Require City funding of at least $8.25 million for rental subsidies at affordable housing developments.

YES - SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, Mayor London Breed, Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, SF Bay Guardian, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, MEDA, SEIU 1021, SF Police Officers, SF Tenants Union, Sierra Club SF, SPUR

NO - SF Republican Party, SF Chronicle, Alice B Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, GrowSF, SF Chamber of Commerce

Proposition H: Firefighters Retirement

Lower the firefighter retirement threshold age for maximum benefits from 58 to 55.

YES - SF Democratic Party, Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, GrowSF, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, SEIU 1021, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Police Officers

NO - SF Libertarian Party, SF Republican Party, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle

Proposition I: Nurses and 911 Operator Retirement

Modify the retirement benefits for nurses and 911 operators.

YES - SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, SF Bay Guardian, GrowSF, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, SEIU 1021, SF Police Officers, SF Tenants Union

NO - SF Libertarian Party, SF Republican Party, SF Chronicle, Alice B Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club

Proposition J: Funding for Children, Youth, and Families

Create a new group between the City and the School District to evaluate funding and monitor outcomes.

YES - SF Democratic Party, Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, SF Chronicle, Alice B Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, GrowSF, SEIU 1021, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Police Officers, SF Tenants Union

NO - SF Green Party, SF Republican Party

Proposition K: Great Highway

Close the Upper Great Highway (between Lincoln Way and Sloat Blvd.) to most automobile traffic at all times.

YES - SF Democratic Party, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, State Sen. Scott Wiener, SF Chronicle, Alice B Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, GrowSF, Sierra Club SF, SF Bike Coalition, SF Police Officers, SPUR, Walk SF

NO - SF Green Party, SF Libertarian Party, SF Republican Party, SF Bay Guardian, SEIU 1021

Proposition L: Rideshare Tax

Impose a 1 - 4.5% tax on rideshare company receipts to help fund Muni public transportation services and programs.

YES - SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, State Sen. Scott Wiener, Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle, Alice B Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, SEIU 1021, SF Tenants Union, Sierra Club SF, SPUR, Walk SF

NO - SF Republican Party, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, State Controller Malia Cohen, former Interim Mayor Mark Farrell, Golden Gate Restaurants, GrowSF, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Police Officers

Proposition M: Business Taxes

Modify the business tax structure by shifting more of the tax burden to larger businesses.

YES - SF Democratic Party, Mayor London Breed, Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, Mayoral candidate Daniel Lurie, SF Bay Guardian, Airbnb, Alice B Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, Golden Gate Restaurants, GrowSF, SEIU 1021, SF Chamber of Commerce, Google, SPUR

NO - SF Green Party, SF Republican Party, SF Police Officers

Proposition N: First Responder Student Loan and Training Fund

Reimburse first responders with up to $25,000 toward student loans and job-related educational and training expenses.

YES - SF Democratic Party, State Assm. Matt Haney, Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, SF Bay Guardian, GrowSF, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, SEIU 1021, SF Police Officers, 

NO - SF Green Party, SF Republican Party, SF Chronicle, Alice B Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club

Proposition O: Reproductive Rights

Support, protect, and expand reproductive rights and services.

YES - SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, State Sen. Scott Wiener, Mayor London Breed, Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle, Alice B Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, GrowSF, SEIU 1021, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Police Officers, SF Tenants Union

NO - 

- SF Mayor -

Finally, we have the SF Mayor's race, which has 13 candidates. Voters may select up to 10 candidates under the Ranked Choice system.

London Breed: Mayor since 2018, former President of the Board of Supervisors

- Endorsed by SF Democratic Party (#1), Bay Area Reporter (#1), Marina Times (#3), Rep. Barbara Lee, State Sen. Scott Wiener, Alice B Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, GrowSF, Planned Parenthood CA, SF Bike Coalition, SF Police Officers

Mark Farrell: former interim Mayor in 2018, former District 2 Supervisor

- Endorsed by Marina Times (#1), Chinese American Democratic Club, GrowSF, SF Deputy Sheriffs (#1), SF Firefighters, SF Realtors

Daniel Lurie: founder and former CEO of Tipping Point Community

- Endorsed by Marina Times (#2), SF Chronicle (#1), former Mayor Frank Jordan, former State Sen. Mark Leno, former Board of Supervisors President Matt Gonzalez, former Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White, GrowSF

Aaron Peskin: District 3 Supervisor, President of the Board of Supervisors

- Endorsed by Green Party (#1), Bay Area Reporter (#2), SF Bay Guardian (#1), Sing Tao Daily, State Assm. Phil Ting, CA Nurses, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, SEIU 1021, SF Berniecrats, SF Educators, SF Tenants Union

Ahsha Safaí: District 11 Supervisor

- Endorsed by SF Deputy Sheriffs (#2), SF Educators

Randy's Guide 5-8-3: Primary Election

With California's accepted ballot numbers standing at 11.2% as of today, there's a good chance you haven't voted yet. Analysts believe we could rival 2012 (31.1%) with the lowest presidential primary turnout over the past century. The two parties already seem destined for a sequel match-up for the Presidency in the fall. The only other major statewide race is for Dianne Feinstein's former seat.

In San Francisco, seven initiatives - ranging from public assistance to algebra - will supplement the single statewide measure promoting mental health treatment. The House race here will likely result in a top-two finish for Nancy Pelosi and GOP-endorsed Bruce Lou.

In California, you may register to vote on Election Day and vote provisionally (meaning the bureaucracy needs to validate your registration status before counting your ballot). Election Day is less than a week away (March 5). You must postmark your ballot by that day, or drop it off at a California precinct on Election Day. Early in-person voting is also available for the majority of California voters. Or cast your ballot in person on Election Day like I do!

- U.S. Senate -

Adam Schiff (D-Burbank): House of Representative (District 30) since 2001; House Intelligence Committee Chair (2019-23); lead impeachment manager in first trial against President Trump; first Congressional member to participate in the AIDS/LifeCycle; former California State Senator (1997-2001)

Endorsements: Speaker Emerita Rep. Nancy Pelosi, State Assm. Phil Ting, SF Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, SF City Attorney David Chiu, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, former Sen. Barbara Boxer, former SF Mayor Art Agnos, LA Times, La Opinión, United Farm Workers

Steve Garvey (R): former first baseman for the LA Dodgers and San Diego Padres; sports marketing firm founder

Endorsements: San Diego Police Officers Association

Katie Porter (D-Irvine): House of Representative (District 47) since 2019; Congressional Progressive Caucus deputy chair; studied under Harvard Law Professor Elizabeth Warren

Endorsements: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Long Beach), CA Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Sen. Scott Wiener, SF Chronicle, United Auto Workers

Barbara Lee (D-Oakland): House of Representative (District 12) since 1998; former California State Senator (1997-98); former California State Assemblymember (1991-97); sole Congressional member to vote against the War in Afghanistan; former Black Panther Party member

Endorsements: Rep. Maxine Waters (D-LA), CA Attorney General Rob Bonta, CA State Controller Malia Cohen, CA State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CA Secretary of State Shirley Weber, SF Mayor London Breed, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, LA Mayor Karen Bass, author Gloria Steinem, Bay Area Reporter, Sacramento Bee, SF Bay Guardian, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, League of Pissed Off Voters

- Initiatives -

CA Proposition 1: Mental Health Treatment

Authorizes $6.38 billion in bonds for mental health treatment facilities and supportive housing; changes the spending requirements from the tax revenues of the Mental Health Services Act (2004).

YES: CA Democratic Party, Gov. Gavin Newsom, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, SF Mayor London Breed, SF District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, Bay Area Reporter, LA Times, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle, CA Chamber of Commerce, CA Hospital Association, CA Professional Firefighters, GrowSF, League of Pissed Off Voters, SEIU CA, SF Labor Council, SPUR, Swords to Plowshares

NO: CA Peace and Freedom Party, SF Green Party, OC Register, ACLU of Northern California, Disability Rights (CA), League of Women Voters (CA)

SF Proposition A: Affordable Housing

Authorize $300 million in bonds for affordable housing.

YES: SF Democratic Party, Speaker Emerita Rep. Nancy Pelosi, State Sen. Scott Wiener, State Assm. Phil Ting, Mayor London Breed, all 11 Board of Supervisors, Bay Area Reporter, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle, Alice B Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, GrowSF, SEIU 1021, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Labor Council, Sierra Club SF, SPUR

NO: SF Green Party, SF Republican Party

SF Proposition B: Police Officer Staffing

Set and fund minimum police officer staffing levels, but with the requirement of a new or amended tax in the future.

YES: SF Democratic Party, State Assm. Matt Haney, SEIU 1021, SF Labor Council

NO: SF Green Party, SF Republican Party, State Sen. Scott Wiener, Mayor London Breed, Bay Area Reporter, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle, Alice B Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, Golden Gate Restaurant Association, GrowSF, League of Pissed Off Voters, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Tenants Union

SF Proposition C: Real Estate Transfer Tax Changes

Boost office conversions to residential property; change the methodology for setting office space development and transfer tax rates.

YES: SF Republican Party, Speaker Emerita Rep. Nancy Pelosi, State Sen. Scott Wiener, Mayor London Breed, Bay Area Reporter, SF Chronicle, Alice B Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, Golden Gate Restaurant Association, GrowSF, SF Chamber of Commerce, Sierra Club SF, SPUR

NO: SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, SF Bay Guardian, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, League of Pissed Off Voters, MEDA, SEIU 1021, SF Labor Council, SF Tenants Union

SF Proposition D: Local Ethics Laws

Strengthen and standardize ethics laws related to gifts, relationships, and non-work activities.

YES: SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, SF Republican Party, Bay Area Reporter, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle, GrowSF, League of Pissed Off Voters, SEIU 1021, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Labor Council, SF Tenants Union, SPUR

NO: 

SF Proposition E: Police Department Policies

Modify SFPD procedures, including the increased use of technology and less administrative burden.

YES: SF Republican Party, State Sen. Scott Wiener, Mayor London Breed, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, Alice B Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, Golden Gate Restaurant Association, GrowSF, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Police Officers Association

NO: SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, Bay Area Reporter, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle, ACLU of Northern California, League of Pissed Off Voters, SEIU 1021, SF Labor Council, SF Tenants Union

SF Proposition F: Cash Assistance Drug Requirements

Require certain cash assistance recipients who appear to be dependent on illegal drugs to participate in screening, evaluation, and treatment for drug dependency as a condition to receive most of those benefits.

YES: SF Republican Party, Mayor London Breed, Golden Gate Restaurant Association, GrowSF

NO: SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, State Assm. Matt Haney, Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, Bay Area Reporter, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle, Sing Tao Daily, ACLU of Northern California, Alice B Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, Glide, League of Pissed Off Voters, SEIU 1021, SF AIDS Foundation, SF Labor Council, SF Tenants Union, SPUR

SF Proposition G: Algebra

Encourage SFUSD to offer Algebra 1 to students by their eighth-grade year.

YES: SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, SF Republican Party, 10 Board of Supervisors, Bay Area Reporter, SF Chronicle, GrowSF, SF Chamber of Commerce

NO: Supervisor Shamann Walton, SF Bay Guardian, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, League of Pissed Off Voters, SEIU 1021