As SF Voter Participation Act Moves Forward, New Polling Shows 74% of Voters Support Proposed Ballot Measure

SAN FRANCISCO — After receiving a positive committee recommendation today, a proposed Charter Amendment by Supervisor Dean Preston to maximize voter participation in local elections will head to the full Board of Supervisors for vote on July 12. Along with the unaninimous positive committee referral, polling released today shows overwhelming support for the measure, with 74% of likely voters indicating support after hearing information on the proposal.

“With basic aspects of our Democracy under attack nationwide, it is critical that San Franciscans stand up for voter participation,” Preston said. “The polling released today confirms what I have long believed: San Franciscans get it. We know our Democracy works best when we encourage the most people to take part in the process.”

Under Preston’s measure, the Mayor, Sheriff, District Attorney, City Attorney, and Treasurer, who are currently elected in odd years, would be elected during even years, joining the rest of their colleagues locally who are elected during even years. Over the past decade, even-year elections have achieved significantly higher voter turnout than their odd-year counterparts, sometimes doubling the percentage of voters casting their ballots.

The proposed change would particularly help maximize participation by low-income voters, who face practical barriers to participation but turn out in significantly greater numbers for even-year elections when President, Governor, Congress, and Supervisor races are already on the ballot. In November 2020, ​​86% of total registered voters cast their votes, in contrast to 41% in November 2019. With respect to low-income voters, over 70% of registered voters making under $50,000 voted in November 2020, while less than 40% of voters in the same economic range cast their ballots in November 2019.

Preston’s measure, if passed, would have San Francisco join other California cities in consolidating elections to encourage voter turnout. In Los Angeles, a similar Charter Amendment (Amendment 1) passed in 2015 with nearly 77% percent of the vote, and since then the City of Los Angeles has seen a 400% increase in voters casting a ballot for local elections, according to a report from California Common Cause. Just weeks ago, on June 7, San Jose passed a similar ballot measure to align local elections in even years, with broad support from a coalition of labor organizations, BIPOC-led organizations, and civil rights groups.

The local ballot measures in Los Angeles and San Jose follow a state law passed in 2015 known as the California Voter Participation Rights Act (SB 415). Citing the importance of encouraging voter participation in local elections, the state law prohibited cities from holding off-cycle elections if doing so results in a significant (25% or more) decline in voter turnout. Shortly after its passage at the state level, a lawsuit was filed by the City of Redondo, claiming the law should not apply to Charter cities in California. An appellate court agreed, ruling that Charter cities like San Francisco were not compelled to change election dates.

“San Francisco is at its best when we’re leading the way statewide in making progressive change – we were among the first to ban pandemic evictions, to push for a public bank, and to ensure marriage equality. But on voting rights, we have fallen behind,” Preston said. “Our ballot measure is an opportunity to get us back on track and ensure more San Franciscans participate in our local democracy.”

In addition to bringing more voters to the polls for important local elections, Preston’s measure will also give San Francisco voters breathing room in between elections, particularly after 2022 will see four elections in just one year alone.

The consolidated election schedule will also save the city money, according to an analysis released on June 28 by the City Controller’s office. In total, the measure is projected to decrease the cost of government by approximately $6.9 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-2024 and in subsequent odd-numbered years.

The poll showing strong support for the proposal was conducted by David Binder Research between May 31-June 5, 2022 by telephone, using landlines and cell phones, and online. The survey consisted of 600 likely November 2022 voters in San Francisco.

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