San Francisco Public Press (https://www.sfpublicpress.org/series/san-francisco-2015-nonpartisan-election-guide/)
All told, hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars are on the line on the November 2015 ballot. And if this year mirrors previous off-year elections, then a minority of San Franciscans will decide the outcome.
Propositions A to K, Mayor, Supervisor District 3, Sheriff, Community College and Uncontested
Excluding Proposition D — the Mission Rock waterfront development — if all measures were approved, the cost of city government would increase by at least about $7.6 million in the first year the new regulations kicked in. Conversely, if Proposition D passed, City Hall would earn a $100 million windfall in initial fees once the Mission Rock project began, in addition to $25 million in annual tax revenue.
When Barack Obama ran for re-election in 2012, almost 73 percent of city voters hit the polls— but without the graviatational pull of a presidential competition, the city’s voter turnout has been dismally low. In 2013, only 29 percent of registered voters cast ballots; it was 53 percent last year.
The fewer people vote, the more each vote counts. Not registered yet? You have until Oct. 19 to register for the Nov. 3, 2015, elections. Register online or at any public library, Department of Motor Vehicles or U.S. Post Office.
Highlights on this year’s ballot
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Noah Arroyo, Editor Proposition K aims to make it easier for developers to build affordable housing using city-owned land.
Noah Arroyo, Editor Proposition J aims to help longtime businesses continue operating in San Francisco.
Noah Arroyo, Editor Proposition I would block the construction, demolition or conversion of nearly all new, unpermitted market-rate housing in the Mission District for 18 months, giving city officials and community groups time to create a long-term plan for helping low- to middle-income people who live in the neighborhood. Projects for 100 percent affordable housing would not be affected.
Noah Arroyo, Editor To wrap your head around these dueling ballot measures, you first need to understand CleanPowerSF, San Francisco’s forthcoming municipal utility system that breaks Pacific Gas & Electric’s monopoly on delivering electricity to city residents.
Noah Arroyo, Editor Proposition F would actively regulate the city’s short-term rental industry, much of which operates largely outside of City Hall’s knowledge and control.
Noah Arroyo, Editor Proposition E would give members of the public more access to, and control over, the meetings of San Francisco government’s “policy bodies,” which direct City Hall’s political agendas.
Noah Arroyo, Editor Proposition D would make it possible for the Mission Rock waterfront development to move forward in the Mission Bay neighborhood.
Noah Arroyo, Editor Proposition C would require more people to register as official lobbyists if their behaviors merited that title, potentially increasing transparency in government.
Noah Arroyo, Editor Proposition B would increase paid parental leave for qualified city government workers.
Noah Arroyo, Editor Proposition A would create a fund with up to $310 million for helping people remain in, and move to, San Francisco if they otherwise could not afford to do so.
Noah Arroyo, Editor Mayor Ed Lee is running for a second four-year term without any prominent, powerful or well-financed opposition. But five eclectic challengers hope the city’s ranked-choice ballot will deliver a surprise victory to one of them.
Noah Arroyo, Editor District 3 supervisorial seat on Nov. 3: incumbent Julie Christensen, former supervisor Aaron Peskin and Chinatown organizer Wilma Pang. Who are they and what are their priorities?
Noah Arroyo, Editor Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi is facing two challengers in his bid for re-election: Vicki Hennessy, who spent three decades in the department and served as interim sheriff in 2012 (after Mayor Ed Lee suspended Mirkarimi over a domestic-violence case involving the new sheriff and his wife) and John Robinson, a retired sheriff’s commander.
Noah Arroyo, Editor Three candidates are challenging incumbent Trustee Alex Randolph for a seat on the Community College Board: Wendy Aragon, Tom Temprano and Jason Zeng.
Noah Arroyo, Editor Three of the city’s top officials are running unopposed in November: District Attorney George Gascón, City Attorney Dennis Herrera and Treasurer José Cisneros.
