Vote

What is on the November 8 ballot?

On the federal level, you will be asked to vote for:

United States Senator
There are two votes for Senate on your ballot — a special election for the remainder of the current term ending January 2023 and a regular election for the full term from January 2023 to January 2029. You may vote on both. Choose one from the list of candidates for the current partial term -and- one from the list of candidates for the new full term.
United States Representative in Congress, District 11 or District 15
Choose one from the list of candidates for District 11 or District 15. Look up your district.

On the state level, you will be asked to vote for:

Governor
Choose one from the list of candidates.
Lieutenant Governor
Choose one from the list of candidates.
Secretary of State
Choose one from the list of candidates.
Controller
Choose one from the list of candidates.
Treasurer
Choose one from the list of candidates.
Attorney General
Choose one from the list of candidates.
Insurance Commissioner
Choose one from the list of candidates.
Member of State Board of Equalization, District 2
Choose one from the list of candidates. All SF residents are in BoE D2.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Choose one from the list of candidates.
State Assembly, District 17 or District 19
Choose one from the list of candidates for District 17 or District 19. Look up your district.

On the local San Francisco level, you will be asked to vote for:

Board of Education
Choose up to three from the list of candidates.
Community College Board
Choose one for the remainder of the current term and up to three for the full term from the list of candidates.
BART Director, District 8
Choose one from the list of candidates.
Assessor-Recorder
Rank your top three choices from the list of candidates.
District Attorney
Rank your top four choices from the list of candidates.
Public Defender
Rank your top three choices from the list of candidates.

and, if you live in an even-numbered SF supervisor district (look up your district):

Board of Supervisors, District 2
Rank your top three choices from the list of candidates.
Board of Supervisors, District 4
Rank your top three choices from the list of candidates.
Board of Supervisors, District 6
Rank your top three choices from the list of candidates.
Board of Supervisors, District 8
Rank your top three choices from the list of candidates.
Board of Supervisors, District 10
Rank your top three choices from the list of candidates.

You will be asked to vote "Yes" or "No" on California propositions:

Proposition 1 — Constitutional Right to Reproductive Freedom
Proposition 26 — Allows In-Person Roulette, Dice Games, Sports Wagering on Tribal Lands
Proposition 27 — Allows Online and Mobile Sports Wagering Outside Tribal Lands
Proposition 28 — Provides Additional Funding for Arts and Music Education in Public Schools
Proposition 29 — Requires On-Site Licensed Medical Professional at Kidney Dialysis Clinics and Establishes Other State Requirements
Proposition 30 — Provides Funding for Programs to Reduce Air Pollution and Prevent Wildfires by Increasing Tax on Personal Income Over $2 Million
Proposition 31 — Referendum on 2020 Law That Would Prohibit the Retail Sale of Certain Flavored Tobacco Products

You will also be asked to vote "Yes" or "No" on San Francisco propositions, also called ballot measures:

Proposition A — Retiree Supplemental Cost of Living Adjustment
Proposition B — Public Works Commission and Department
Proposition C — Homelessness Oversight Commission
Proposition D — Affordable Housing (initiative petition)
Proposition E — Affordable Housing (Board of Supervisors)
Proposition F — Library Preservation Fund
Proposition G — Student Success Fund
Proposition H — City Elections in Even Numbered Years
Proposition I — Vehicles on JFK Drive and Great Highway
Proposition J — Recreational use of JFK Drive
Proposition K — [removed from the ballot]
Proposition L — Sales Tax for Transportation Projects
Proposition M — Tax on Keeping Residential Units Vacant
Proposition N — Golden Gate Park Underground Parking Facility
Proposition O — Additional Parking Tax for City College

Where can I learn about the candidates running in the election?

Get information about the candidates in LWVSF's candidate statements and candidate forums, as well as the San Francisco Department of Elections Voter Information Pamphlet and in the California Secretary of State Voter Information Guide.

What are the League of Women Voters' positions on the candidate races?

The League does not support or oppose candidates or political parties so we do not have any positions on the candidate races.

Why are there two votes for U.S. Senator now?

There are two votes for United States Senator for California on your ballot because of recent changes to the law on filling Senate vacancies. The seat became vacant when Kamala Harris left the Senate to become Vice President of the United States. Alex Padilla was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to fill the vacant Senate position.

However, the U.S. Constitution states that governors' temporary appointees to the Senate can serve only "until the people fill the vacancies by election." Therefore, in September 2021, California passed a bill that calls for an election whenever a Senate seat becomes vacant.

As a result, there are two contests for Senate on your ballot, and you may vote on both. One is a special election for the remainder of the current term ending January 2023, which is the term vacated by Kamala Harris. One is a regular election for the full 6-year term beginning January 2023 and ending January 2029.

Are there local propositions or state measures on the ballot?

Yes. There are fourteen local propositions on the ballot for the November 8, 2022 election.

Where can I learn about the San Francisco ballot measures?

Get information about the San Francisco ballot measures in LWVSF's Pros & Cons Guide and proposition discussion videos or in the SF Department of Elections Voter Information Pamphlet.

Are there state measures on the ballot?

Yes. There are seven state measures on the ballot for the November 8, 2022 election.

Can people who are not U.S. citizens vote in this election?

Yes. Eligible non-citizens who are a parent, legal guardian, or caregiver of a child under the age of 19 living in San Francisco have the right to participate in Board of Education (school board) elections — but not other items on the ballot. Learn about non-citizen voting in San Francisco.

What can I do if I haven’t gotten my mailed ballot?

If it has been more than three days since your ballot was mailed, or if you lost, damaged, or made a mistake marking your ballot, you can request a replacement ballot using the San Francisco Voter Portal or by calling the Department of Elections at 415‑554‑4375.

Register to vote (or update your registration)

Register to vote

Verify your registration

Make sure you’re registered to vote in the recall election. The last day to register to vote online or by mail is October 24.

Verify your registration

Already registered? Check if your information is up to date. Every registered voter will get a ballot in the mail starting in early October.

Check your registration

Update your registration

Verify your registration

Update your registration

Have you changed your address, name, or signature recently? Then you must update your voter registration.

Update your registration

Register to vote online

Through October 24, you can easily register to vote online. You'll need:

Your California driver license or identification card number,
The last four digits of your social security number, and
Your date of birth.

Other ways to register or re-register

Ask the Department of Elections to mail a paper voter registration form to you by using the contact form or calling 415-554-4375.
Register in person at the City Hall Voting Center.
Pick up a voter registration form at a local post office, public library branch, or DMV office (form availability varies).

Contact SF Elections

Return your voter registration form by the October 24 deadline

If you miss the October 24 deadline to register online or by mail, you can still vote. You'll need to register conditionally and vote provisionally in person at the City Hall Voting Center or, on Election Day, November 8, at a polling place.

Learn about conditional registration

Fill out your ballot

Get educated about your ballot

You will be asked to vote for candidates for several state and federal offices, San Francisco City Attorney, and eight San Francisco ballot measures.

Learn more about what’s on your ballot from these unbiased, nonpartisan resources:

Make sure your ballot will be counted

Sign the envelope! An unsigned returned envelope is one of the main reasons ballots get rejected. Your signatures on the envelope and your voter registration record will be compared to make sure they match. The secrecy of your ballot will be protected.

Get it in on time! Mail your ballot or drop it off early and in-person an official ballot drop box or at the City Hall Voting Center.

No stamp, no problem. All vote-by-mail ballots come with prepaid postage envelopes.

Don’t panic. If you make a mistake filling out your ballot, ask the Department of Elections to send you a replacement by using the San Francisco Voter Portal or calling 415-554-4375.

Return your ballot

LWVSF member Jennifer Waggoner with fabulous bangs, wearing a black shirt, and holding her vote-by-m

Vote safe during the pandemic

The safest way to vote is to return your ballot by mail or using an official ballot drop box. If you need to return your ballot in person, check wait times for a faster and safer experience. Be sure to wear a mask.

Check wait times

Return your ballot by mail

To return your ballot by mail, the envelope must be postmarked by Election Day, November 8. A postmark is an official stamp on a piece of mail that provides the place, date, and time the piece of mail was accepted by the United States Postal Service. Postmarks are used to determine if returned ballots have been mailed by the deadline.

Be sure to check collection times on the blue USPS mailbox. If the last collection time on the mailbox is 3:00pm, and you drop off your ballot at 3:15pm on November 8, your ballot will not be postmarked in time and your vote will not be counted.

If you are not sure that your ballot will be postmarked in time, it is much better to instead drop off your ballot at an official ballot drop box or polling place.

Learn more about voting by mail

Drop off your ballot in person

Beginning October 10, you have several choices for where to drop off your ballot:

Any official ballot drop box. There are 34 throughout the city, available every day, 24 hours a day.
At the City Hall Voting Center (1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, ground floor). Hours: Every weekday , 8am–5pm. The last two weekends (October 29–30 and November 5–6), 10am–4pm. On Election Day (November 8), 7am–8pm.

Locations, dates, and times may change. Confirm before you head out.

Find a ballot drop box

On Election Day, November 8, you have several choices for where to drop off your ballot. These locations will be open on Election Day from 7am to 8pm. You must drop off your ballot in person on Election Day no later than 8pm.

Any official ballot drop box
Your assigned polling place
Any of the 588 polling places throughout the city
The City Hall Voting Center
Or, authorize someone to drop off your completed and signed ballot for you

Find a polling place

Get help with ballot pick up, delivery, and return

San Francisco provides several other options for ballot pick up, delivery, and return so that every voter can cast their ballot safely and securely. For assistance not described below, contact the San Francisco Department of Elections.

Authorize a family member or housemate to pick up your ballot

If you’re a registered voter, you may authorize a family member or housemate to pick up your vote-by-mail ballot and bring it to you.

Authorize anyone to deliver your ballot

Any voter who is unable to return their vote-by-mail ballot may authorize another person to return their ballot by mail, or to any ballot drop box, voting center, or polling place. To authorize someone to return your vote-by-mail ballot for you, complete and sign the Ballot Return Authorization section on your official ballot return envelope.

Vote using emergency ballot pick up and delivery

If you need a ballot but are hospitalized or homebound because of illness, disability, or confinement, including for a COVID–19 quarantine, you may authorize anyone to pick up your ballot and bring it to you, or you may ask for Department of Elections staff to bring your ballot to you. To request emergency ballot pick up and delivery, contact the Department of Elections at 415-554-4375 (you may need to submit a form or other written request).

Vote using the accessible vote-by-mail system

Any registered voter can use the remote accessible vote-by-mail system to vote. This system allows voters to mark screen readable vote-by-mail ballots using internet-connected devices, such as computers or tablets, and is compatible with personal assistive technology, such as screen readers.

Vote using the curbside service

Any voter may vote “curbside” at any polling place or at the City Hall Voting Center by calling the Department of Elections at 415-554-4375 or by having a companion enter the facility and ask that voting materials be brought to you outside.

Vote if you’re in the military or in another country

San Francisco voters who are in the military or are in another country can use the remote accessible vote-by-mail system to vote, or they can choose to receive a ballot via email, fax, or postal mail. Check the ballot delivery method in your registration record using the San Francisco Voter Portal.

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Vote in the San Francisco election

Make a voting plan

Understand the election

October 3

November 8, Election Day!

October 24

October 24

November 8, Election Day!

October 24

November 8, Election Day!

November 8, Election Day!

November 8, Election Day!

UNDERSTAND ELECTIONS

Ask the League