Proposition D

Changes to Ballot Measure Process

Proposition D would amend the City Charter to eliminate the ability of the Mayor or four or more members of the Board to place a measure on the ballot without a vote of the Board. The Board could still place measures on the ballot by a six-member majority vote. It would increase the required number of voter signatures from 2% to 8% of the registered voters in San Francisco, or approximately 42,500 signatures, to qualify a ballot measure.

This measure requires approval by a majority of voters voting on the measure to pass.

Fiscal Impact: Proposition D would have a minimal impact on the cost of government though those levels cannot be determined at this time. Since the proposed Charter amendment raises the voter signature threshold, fewer initiatives may qualify for the ballot which may reduce the volume of printed pages included in the voter information pamphlet.

See Endorsements for Proposition D

Pro:

Supporters argue that the Clean Up City Hall is a package of Props A, D, E and F to improve neighborhood services, speed up permitting and reduce wasteful spending so we can invest in our great city. They say that Prop D gives more voters a voice on what appears on the ballot.

Currently a minority of supervisors, just 2% of voters, or the mayor acting alone can throw anything on the ballot without public input, transparency or proven community support. San Francisco is the only city in California that allows these low thresholds - and that's why we have the longest and most confusing ballots in the state.

A YES vote on this measure means: you support increasing the requirements for the Mayor, Board of Supervisors, and citizens to qualify a measure for the ballot.

Con:

Opponents argue that Prop D takes away rights San Franciscans have held for 125 years to put citizen initiatives on the ballot. They say that San Francisco was the first California city to have this right. Now, wealthy tech billionaires are spending millions to take it away. They would quadruple the signatures required from 10,600 to 42,500, a limit so high only the very wealthy can reach it.

They say that wealthy interests can afford to pay one million dollars to collect 42,500 signatures. Neighborhood groups, labor unions and community advocates will be priced out. We'll lose our voice in the democratic process. Citizen-initiatives are only 15% of all ballot measures. But when City Hall ignores us, citizens have the power to act. 42,500 signatures is out of reach. It will be impossible for citizen-led, grassroots organizations to qualify a measure.

A NO vote on this measure means: you are against increasing ballot measure qualification requirements and want the process to remain the same.

Background

Over the past 30 years, 74 percent of ordinances on the ballot were placed before voters by a minority of supervisors, the Mayor, or through signature drives rather than through a transparent and accountable legislative process. 44 percent did not legally require voter approval.

Under the City Charter, an ordinance or declaration of policy (measure) may be placed on the ballot in several ways, including:

By a six-member majority vote of the Board of Supervisors (Board);
By four or more members of the Board submitting the measure without a vote of the Board;
By the Mayor submitting the measure without a vote of the Board; or
By registered voters submitting an initiative petition to the Department of Elections (signature initiative) containing signatures of at least 2% of the registered voters in San Francisco, which currently is approximately 10,600 signatures.

A signature initiative generally appears on the ballot at the next regularly scheduled municipal or statewide election. Signature initiatives that propose an ordinance may call for an earlier election, known as a special election, if the petition contains signatures of voters equal in number to at least 10% of the votes cast for all candidates for Mayor in the last mayoral election. The threshold for a signature initiative to call a special election currently is approximately 39,000 signatures.

Once a signature initiative is submitted to the Department of Elections, it cannot be withdrawn.

Proposal

The proposal would amend the Charter to eliminate the ability of the Mayor or four or more members of the Board to place a measure on the ballot without a vote of the Board. The Board could still place measures on the ballot by a six-member majority vote.

The proposal would change the way the voters may place a signature initiative on the ballot by increasing the required number of voter signatures to 8% of the registered voters in San Francisco, or approximately 42,500 signatures. The proposed measure would also increase the required number of voter signatures to call a special election on an initiative ordinance to 10% of the registered voters in San Francisco (instead of 10% of votes cast for all candidates for Mayor in the last mayoral election), or approximately 53,100 signatures.

The proposal would allow the proponents of a signature initiative to withdraw the signature initiative from the ballot up to 102 days before the election.

Source: Proposition D: Title and Summary

City and County of San Francisco Office of Elections

Pro:

Con:

Background

Proposal

2026 Propositions

2026 Local Ballot Measures

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