RepresentUs endorsed Up the Vote SF’s winning campaign to pass Proposition H – which moves city elections to presidential years. This simple rescheduling not only cuts down on the burden to election administrators, but now San Francisco can expect better representation by increasing turnout. San Francisco’s political leaders will be accountable to the whole community, not just a small fraction.

Proposition H: This measure moves San Francisco’s odd-year municipal election with an average 43% turnout rate onto the presidential election cycle— when turnout is double.

By approving this measure, San Francisco voters will double participation in local elections and enable more voters to weigh in on the local positions that directly affect them the most: Mayor, District Attorney, City Attorney, Sheriff, and Treasurer.

Over the last decade, voter turnout in San Francisco has averaged 43% for odd year elections. Compared to the 80% voter turnout rate during election years with presidential races, this is unacceptably low, and it impacts the voices of communities of color, the working class, and young voters.

The California Voter Participation Rights Act (SB 415) was signed into law in 2015 — prohibiting cities in California from holding off-cycle elections if doing so results in a significant decline in voter turnout— exactly what is happening today in San Francisco.

However, a California Court had previously ruled that SB 415 does not apply to Charter cities like San Francisco. This court decision paved the way for Proposition H.

Up the Vote SF is supported and sponsored by a number of groups: Common Cause CA, LWV SF, SF Dems, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, SF Labor Council, and RepresentUs.