Published Ballot Guides

Measure A. Schools Improvement and Safety Bond.

By: Georgia Wyess.

San Francisco’s Measure A will allow San Francisco Unified to borrow up to $790 million in general obligation bonds. The money will be used to modernize and improve school facilities, implement safety measures, student nutrition, and available technology. The bonds cannot be used to fund educators or administration; neither can they be used for academic operating expenses. The measure requires a 55% vote in favor to pass and may increase local property taxes to cover the costs of the bonds if implemented. Currently, SF Parent Action is in support of the measure while San Francisco Apartment Association is against. 

Result: PASS.

Measure E. Creating a Task Force to Recommend Changing, Eliminating, or Combining City Commissions

By: Georgia Wyess.

San Francisco currently has upward of 100 boards, commissions, and advisory agencies to assist with city operations. Measure E would establish an ad hoc, temporary Commission Streamlining Task Force whose responsibility will be to analyze and amalgamate the current governing bodies of San Francisco in an attempt to streamline government procedures and affairs. The Task Force shall consist of five members: a City Administrator, Controller, City Attorney, a public sector organized labor representative appointed by the President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, and a governmental affairs expert appointed by the Mayor. The establishment of the board will not strip voters of their ability to amend the Charter, nor the Mayor, Board of Supervisors, and City departments’ ability to introduce an ordinance for approval. Measure E will require the Board’s Budget and Legislative Analyst to calculate the budget implications of consolidation—both how much the city will save, and how much of the city funds it will need to relocate to support the established commissions. This measure currently has support including the Coalition of San Francisco Neighborhoods, Affordable Housing Alliance, San Francisco League of Conservative Voters, Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, and retired state senator Mark Leno. Larry Marso is in opposition.

See also Zachary Hertz's write-up of the related Measure D, which proposes an alternative reorganization of city government in San Francisco: LINK.

Result: Measure E PASS (Measure D FAIL).

Measure F. Police Staffing and Deferred Retirement.

By: Georgia Wyess.

Police officers in the City of San Francisco are eligible to receive pensions and benefits after completing their careers—their retirement program is the San Francisco’s Employee Retirement System (SFERS). Every other year, the San Francisco Police Department’s Chief of Department is required to submit a report to the Police Commission describing their recommended staffing levels for the following two years to ensure the Police Commission has accurate budgeting information. Measure F would amend the current city charter to include a concrete definition of “full-duty sworn” officers:

• any full-time officer currently employed by the city of San Francisco while 

• excluding those on long-term leaves of absence, recruits undergoing Police Academy training, and officers stationed at the San Francisco International Airport. 

In providing a definition for the Charter, Measure F ensures that SFERS can more accurately appropriate retirement benefits, and the Police Commission can allocate the appropriate funds.

The measure would also establish a Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) for qualifying officers who wish to delay their retirement for the purpose of accumulating more service credits. Measure F authorizes DROP for the subsequent five years and will require the Board’s approval every five years thereafter. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors is in favor of the measure while the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Northern California, the Asian Law Caucus, and Chinese for Affirmative Action oppose the measure.

Result: PASS.

Measure G. Funding Rental Subsidies for Affordable Housing Developments Serving Low Income Seniors, Families, and Persons with Disabilities.

By: Max Serna.

Measure G proposes to allocate additional funding for rental subsidies for affordable housing developments serving low-income seniors, families, and individuals with disabilities in San Francisco. The measure is expected to increase city spending by directing funds specifically for rental subsidies. The City would allocate a portion of its general budget to sustain these subsidies, which may affect other programs or require budget adjustments. Proponents include housing advocates and senior citizen organizations, which argue that Measure G is crucial for keeping affordable housing accessible to those who need it most. They emphasize that rising rents disproportionately impact low-income seniors and families, adding that subsidies are a practical solution to help keep them housed. Opponents, such as fiscal conservatives and taxpayer groups, raise concerns about the potential strain on the city’s budget and question whether this measure is the most effective use of public funds. Critics also argue that without specific funding sources, the measure could divert money from other essential services. A "Yes" vote indicates support for amending the Charter to appropriate at least $8.25 million a year to pay for rental subsidies for affordable housing developments serving ELI households of seniors, families, and people with disabilities. A "No" vote leaves current funding levels unchanged.

Result: PASS.

Measure I. Retirement Benefits for Nurses and 911 Operators.

By: Georgia Wyess.

San Francisco’s Measure I is a two-part bill that will impact the pensions of 911 dispatchers, supervisors, and coordinators under the San Francisco Employees Retirement System (SFERS). It will also affect how pension benefits are calculated for Registered Nurses employed by the city. 911 personnel will be reclassified as SFERS’ Miscellaneous Safety Plans from the Miscellaneous Plans; only hours worked on January 4, 2025 and beyond will be counted toward Miscellaneous Safety Plans. Measure I will allow Registered Nurses in San Francisco will be allowed to purchase service credits corresponding to per diem hours worked for time worked before becoming SFERS members. Measure I will require renewal every five years with 50% +1 support.  A vote in favor would approve the aforementioned amendments while also requiring qualifying individuals to pay a greater amount of their current earnings for higher pension benefits. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1021—a union that advocates on behalf of service workers for improved and more equitable working conditions—supports the passage of Measure I. The Libertarian Party of San Francisco is in opposition.

Result: PASS.

Measure K. Permanently Closing the Upper Great Highway to Private Vehicles to Establish a Public Open Recreation Space.

By: Zachary Hertz.

Proposition K would permanently close the Upper Great Highway between Lincoln Way and Sloat Boulevard to private motor vehicles, converting it to public open recreation space. The measure would:

1. Allow emergency vehicles, official government vehicles, intra-park transit shuttles, and similar authorized vehicles to continue accessing the Upper Great Highway.

2. Require the City to seek necessary approvals within 180 days of voter approval, including amendments to the City's General Plan and approvals under the California Coastal Act.

3. Maintain the current pilot program (closing the road on weekends and holidays) until all approvals are obtained or until December 31, 2025, whichever comes first.

4. Give the General Manager of the Recreation and Parks Department authority to allow vehicular traffic in emergency circumstances.

The City Controller estimates the measure could reduce government costs by up to $1.5 million in one-time capital project savings and $350,000 to $700,000 annually in maintenance and operational cost savings. These savings could be partially offset by increased costs for trash pickup, patrols, and other operational needs.

A "YES" vote supports permanently closing the Upper Great Highway to private vehicles and converting it to public recreation space. A "NO" vote opposes these changes, maintaining the current pilot program until its scheduled end in December 2025. Proposition K is supported by Outer Sunset Neighbors, Kid Safe SF, Sierra Club, and The Nature Conservancy. It is opposed by the Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods (CSFN), Neighborhoods United SF, and ConnectedSF.

Result: PASS.

Measure N. First Responder Student Loan and Training Reimbursement Fund.

By: Georgia Wyess.

San Francisco’s Measure N would grant the City permission to establish a fund to assist first responders—e.g., police officers, firefighters, sheriffs, paramedics, registered nurses, and 911 dispatchers—in paying student loan debt incurred from required training and employee reeducation programs. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors and the Mayor will be responsible for oversight of the fund. No donations will be distributed until at least $1 million is available; all eligible first responders can receive a maximum of $25,000 from the fund. At passage, Measure N will not require the City to place money into the fund; however, the Mayor maintains the power to make donations compulsory in the future. Requiring a 50% +1 favorable vote to pass, Measure N is currently supported by the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Fund and the SEIU-UHW: United Healthcare Workers West union.

Result: PASS.

Measure A. Homelessness Services and Affordable Housing Ordinance.

By: Josh Garland.

Measure A proposes increasing the 2017 Measure H homelessness services sales tax from 0.25% to 0.50%. The additional revenue would support homelessness services in LA County and the LA County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency (LACAHSA), funding mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and tenant protections. Portions of the revenue received by LACAHSA will be allocated to affordable housing construction and improving the efficiency of affordable housing production.

According to the Los Angeles County Office of County Counsel, 35.75% of the tax revenue would go to LACAHSA while 61.25% would be allocated to Los Angeles County and 3% to the Los Angeles County Development Authority. The Office of County Counsel estimated that this measure would generate approximately one billion dollars in annual revenue. Supporters of the measure, including local nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity, advocate for increasing resources into existing homelessness services and funding more affordable housing to reduce homelessness. Supporters argue that, because Measure H will expire in 2027, eliminating revenue for existing homelessness services without implementing a replacement will exacerbate the homelessness problem.

Opponents of the proposition, such as the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, argue that increasing sales tax is the wrong method to fight homelessness as it will put an increased burden on the public. Additionally, opponents have been skeptical of Measure H’s impact on reducing homelessness, citing a study conducted by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority in 2022 that found a decline in homelessnesss of less than 1% year over year.

Result: PASS.

Measure DD. Independent Redistricting Commission for the City of Los Angeles.

By: Max Serna.

In Los Angeles, redistricting—the process of redrawing City Council district boundaries—is managed by the City Council and mayor. Every ten years following the decennial Census, new lines are drawn to reflect population shifts. Critics have long raised concerns about ‘gerrymandering,’ a term to describe the manipulation of district boundaries by political officers to secure electoral advantages. Measure DD seeks to address these concerns by amending the Los Angeles City Charter to establish an Independent Redistricting Commission, similar to that introduced at the state level in California in 2010 .

This commission would consist of appointed community members tasked with redrawing the district boundaries based on established criteria. The fiscal impact includes increased costs for creating and staffing the commission; the exact costs remain unspecified. A "Yes" vote would transfer redistricting authority from the City Council to this independent body. A "No" vote keeps redistricting in the hands of the City Council. Proponents such as the League of Women Voters and Common Cause argue that this change will reduce gerrymandering and strengthen public trust in the electoral system. Opponents, including some City Council members and local labor groups, argue that the measure could increase costs and question whether the commission can remain free of political influence. Critics also express concern that the new process might introduce new biases into the redistricting process.

Result: PASS.

Measure FF. Los Angeles Fire and Police Pensions: Peace Officers.

By: Max Serna.

Measure FF proposes amendments to the Los Angeles Fire and Police Pension Plan, allowing qualifying first responders who work for the Department of General Services and the Los Angeles Airport Police to be considered for pension benefits similar to those of active fire and police officers. The exact funding requirement will depend on the number of qualifying individuals. The measure is predicted to have an estimated one-time cost of $109,500,000, with an estimated annual cost of $6.3 million. Proponents, including law enforcement unions Mayor Karen Bass, argue that all peace officers should have access to equal retirement benefits. Offering competitive retirement benefits can enhance job satisfaction, attract new recruits, and improve retention rates among existing officers, ultimately benefiting public safety in Los Angeles. Critics argue that the expansion of pension benefits could strain the city’s budget, diverting funds from other essential services such as education or infrastructure. Increasing the number of officers in the pension system adds to long-term pension liabilities, which could burden future city budgets if not managed properly. Voting “Yes” approves of bettering pensions for LA Airport Police and Department of General Services personnel. Voting “No” maintains their exclusion from current benefit plans. 

Result: PASS.

Measure HH. City Governance, Appointments, and Elections.

By: Cecilia Choy.

Measure HH makes changes to systems of governance and accountability in the City of Los Angeles. Key changes include requiring city council commission appointees to file financial disclosures and expanding subpoena power to the city attorney. Currently, only mayors, controllers, City Council, and several other offices have subpoena powers. Measure HH also affords the City Controller the ability to audit city contractors and introduces a new method for evaluating the financial impact of citizen initiatives. The measure also mandates the Board of Harbor Commissioners increase representation by requiring a member from the cities of San Pedro and Wilmington.

Result: PASS.