SF election dust settles with most ballots counted, voters deal mayor mixed hand

Though San Francisco election results continue trickling in, voter decisions are pretty clear on all ballot measures, including the recall of District Attorney Chesa Boudin and rejection of the mayor’s infrastructure bill.

Below is a list of local measures presented to voters in the June 7 primary election with results reported by the Department of Elections as of 3 p.m. Sunday. Elections officials said they are nearly done processing all ballots.

Proposition A: Muni Reliability and Safety Street Bond

Yes: 65 percent
No: 35 percent
Requires two-thirds voter approval.

The $400 million bond measure would have helped fund infrastructure improvements for Muni’s aging facilities and street safety measures.

At least $250 million would have been allocated for updating and renovating Muni facilities, such as bus yards that are more than 100 years old. Mayor London Breed, city supervisors and officials with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency touted the measure as critical to improving Muni service citywide.

Another $10 million was earmarked for upgrades to the subway automatic train control system to improve train reliability and reduce delays. 

The failed measure proposed by Breed and unanimously approved by supervisors would have also funded street safety improvements like new traffic signals, speed management projects, widened sidewalks and protected bike and bus lanes, the agency said.

While the majority of voters supported the proposition, passage currently falls less than one percentage point from the required two-thirds. 

Proposition B: Building Inspection Commission

Yes: 62 percent
No: 38 percent

Voters approved Prop B, which changes the director appointment process for the Building Inspection Commission. The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to place the measure on the ballot in the wake of the City Hall scandal.

The Department of Building Inspection came under fire as a result of investigations into former Department of Publics Works Director Mohammed Nuru, when former Director Tom Hui was also accused of corruption and favoritism.

The commission will now offer the mayor up to three director candidates submit to choose from. The Building Inspection Commission previously had the sole authority to hire or fire its director.

Additionally, the measure changes requirements for commission nominees who are appointed by the mayor and Board of Supervisors president.

Proposition C: Recall Timelines and Vacancy Appointments

No: 58 percent
Yes: 42 percent

Voters rejected Prop C, which would have changed rules for elected official recall timing, and who can be appointed to fill those seats. 

The proposition would have required that elected officials serve 12 months, up from the current six months, before a recall can be filed with the Department of Elections, and would have prohibited recall efforts within 12 months of the position’s next scheduled election.

Following recent Board of Education commission recalls, Mayor London Breed appointed three new board members who plan to run in the next election.

Under Prop C, future elected official appointees would be barred from candidacy in the following election, which would have directly impacted the mayor’s interim district attorney selection. 

Proposition D: Office of Victim and Witness Rights; Legal Services for Domestic Violence Victims

Yes: 59 percent
No: 41 percent

The measure passed by voters will create the Office of Victim and Witness Rights as a new city department. The office will coordinate or provide services for witnesses and victims of crimes, including victims of domestic violence.

The new department will office free legal services for domestic violence victims as part of a one-year pilot program. The office will propose an ordinance for the pilot program with a launch date of July 1, 2023. The new department will eventually need to seek future funding resources if the program is to be made permanent.

Proposition E: Behested Payments

Yes: 69 percent
No: 30 percent

Another measure addressing corruption is Prop E. Behested payments are donations solicited by those in public office for nonprofits or causes on their behalf.

Behested payment regulations will expand to the Board of Supervisors, who will be barred from soliciting payments from contractors approved by the board.

Additionally, The City’s Ethics Commission must approve board-requested changes to behested payment regulations.

Proposition F: Refuse Collection and Disposal

Yes: 71 percent
No: 29 percent

Voters overwhelmingly approved the measure that changes how Recology sets customer rates for garbage and recycling service. Currently, the Refuse Rate Board manages the process and regulations for residential collection.

Prop F will restructure the Refuse Rate Board members to include a ratepayer representative. The city controller, who was a member on the board will now be an administrator who monitors rates and proposes changes. The Department of Public Works director previously played the role in rate change recommendations.

Public hearings will still be required for any rate change proposals.

Proposition G: Public Health Emergency Leave

Yes: 64 percent
No: 36 percent

Under the voter-approved measure, companies with 100 or more employees worldwide will need to provide its San Francisco employees with 80 hours of paid leave for public health emergencies. A public health emergency includes a local or state emergency involving an infectious disease or when a Spare the Air alert is in effect.

Employees may use the paid emergency leave for a number of circumstances, including if the employee or family member contracts an infectious disease, or if the employee primarily works outdoors and has respiratory health issues when a Spare the Air alert is effective.

Proposition H: Recall Chesa Boudin

Yes: 55 percent
No: 45 percent

While it was clear on the election’s first night that District Attorney Chesa Boudin would not survive his recall, ballots counted later added to his support pool and narrowed the margin, though not enough to save his seat. 

Preliminary results on election night showed 60 percent of voters supporting the recall and 40 percent against it. Results now show 55 percent of voters in favor of recall and 44 percent of voters against.

So what’s next? Department of Elections Director John Artnz said he hopes to certify results by the end of the month and send the certification to the Board of Supervisors for approval at the June 28 meeting. 

Breed will choose Boudin’s interim replacement no earlier than 10 days after the election is certified. However, voters will decide in November’s general election who will serve out the remainder of Boudin’s term, which ends January 2024. Another election will be held in November 2023 to select a district attorney for the next four-year term.

In an interview with KTVU, Boudin indicated he may run again in 2023.