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 -
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
