San Francisco Proposition D — Changes to Ballot Measure Process

What it does

Shall the City amend the Charter to increase the requirements for signature initiatives from 2% to 8% of registered voters in San Francisco (currently from about 10,600 to about 42,500 signatures), increase the requirements for calling special elections, allow signature initiatives to be withdrawn before an election, and remove the ability of a minority of Board of Supervisors members or the Mayor to place measures on the ballot?

A YES vote means

Signature initiatives in San Francisco would need 8% of registered voters instead of 2% (about 42,500 instead of 10,600 signatures), special elections would be harder to call, initiatives could be withdrawn before an election, and a minority of Supervisors or the Mayor could no longer place measures on the ballot.

A NO vote means

San Francisco's rules for initiatives, special elections and placing measures on the ballot would stay as they are.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Only on your ballot if you live in the City and County of San Francisco.

Background

According to the Ballot Simplification Council's digest, measures can currently reach the ballot by a Board of Supervisors majority vote, by four or more Supervisors without a Board vote, by the Mayor alone, or by a petition signed by 2% of registered voters (about 10,600 signatures).

Proposition D would raise the petition requirement to 8% of registered voters (about 42,500 signatures), raise the threshold for calling a special election, allow initiatives to be withdrawn up to 102 days before the election, and end the ability of four Supervisors or the Mayor to place measures on the ballot without a Board vote.

City Controller Greg Wagner's statement says it would have a minimal impact on the cost of government.

It qualified by citizen initiative petition; the Department of Elections certified on July 23, 2026 that the petition had enough valid signatures (53,076 were required for an initiative Charter amendment).

Put on the ballot by Citizen initiative petition; certified by the Department of Elections July 23, 2026.

From official source.

Next elections here

• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Also on San Francisco County ballots

• San Francisco Proposition A — Charter Changes Affecting Various City Departments and Commissions
• San Francisco Proposition B — Establishing a Municipal Finance Corporation and a Public Bank
• San Francisco Proposition C — Contributions to the Housing Trust Fund
• San Francisco Proposition E — City Administrator’s Authority and Changes to City Contracting
• San Francisco Proposition F — Changes to Executive Branch Management
• San Francisco Proposition G — Allowing Private Vehicles on the Upper Great Highway in Sunset Dunes Park
• San Francisco Proposition H — Parcel Tax to Fund Muni Operations
• San Francisco Proposition I — Changes to Real Property Transfer Tax
• San Francisco Proposition J — Removal of Foreclosure Exemption for Real Property Transfer Tax

All San Francisco County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on San Francisco Proposition D mean?

Signature initiatives in San Francisco would need 8% of registered voters instead of 2% (about 42,500 instead of 10,600 signatures), special elections would be harder to call, initiatives could be withdrawn before an election, and a minority of Supervisors or the Mayor could no longer place measures on the ballot.

What does a NO vote on San Francisco Proposition D mean?

San Francisco's rules for initiatives, special elections and placing measures on the ballot would stay as they are.

How many votes does San Francisco Proposition D need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on San Francisco Proposition D?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.