GFC’s San Francisco Chapter chaired by Jay Yang and Jason Friedrichs has put together the following SF voter guide.
****
Govern For California, San Francisco Chapter
November 2026 Voter Guide
San Francisco is finally moving in the right direction. After years of declining public safety, deteriorating public services, and economic stagnation, there are encouraging signs of recovery. But our city continues to face enormous challenges, including structural budget deficits, an extraordinarily expensive housing market, struggling public schools, and a downtown that has yet to fully recover.
The San Francisco Chapter supports capable leaders, responsible fiscal management, effective public services, affordability, public safety, and policies that promote San Francisco’s long-term economic competitiveness. These principles inform our recommendations for the November 3 election.
San Francisco Ballot Measures
Proposition A, Government Commission Reform: YES
San Francisco has too many commissions, overlapping responsibilities, and unclear lines of accountability. Prop A simplifies this structure and makes it easier to reform city government.
Proposition B, Municipal Public Bank: NO
San Francisco should focus on managing its existing responsibilities before getting into the banking business. Creating a government-controlled financial institution introduces significant financial and governance risks without a compelling case for why existing banks cannot provide the same services.
Proposition C, Affordable Housing Trust Fund: YES
San Francisco’s housing costs are already too high, and imposing expensive requirements on private development only makes the problem worse. Prop C preserves a compromise that reduces certain inclusionary housing requirements in exchange for greater direct funding of affordable housing, without creating a new tax.
Proposition D, Ballot Measure Reform: YES
San Francisco relies far too heavily on ballot measures, allowing special interests to bypass elected officials and write complicated policies directly into law. Prop D makes it harder to place measures on the ballot and puts more responsibility for governing back where it belongs, with our elected representatives.
Proposition E, Government Contracting Reform: YES
San Francisco’s contracting process is unnecessarily complicated, slow, and expensive. Prop E streamlines procurement and reduces the number of contracts requiring Board of Supervisors approval, making it easier for the city to get things done.
Proposition F, Executive Branch Reform: YES
Voters hold the Mayor responsible for city government, yet the Mayor often lacks the authority to manage the departments delivering those services. Prop F gives the Mayor greater control over department leadership and organization, aligning authority with accountability.
Proposition G, Great Highway Reopening: NO
San Franciscans voted in 2024 to turn the Upper Great Highway into a public park, and Sunset Dunes has since become a popular recreational space. Relitigating ballot measures that voters have already decided wastes government resources and voter attention, distracting from the city’s more pressing priorities.
Proposition H, Muni Parcel Tax: YES
Muni is essential to San Francisco’s economy, and significant service cuts would undermine the city’s recovery. While we are generally skeptical of raising taxes without structural reforms, Prop H would provide approximately $177 million annually to preserve Muni service, while SFMTA must still improve efficiency and control costs.
Proposition I, Real Estate Transfer Tax Earmarking: NO
San Francisco already has the highest real estate transfer tax rate in the country, discouraging investment and transactions. Prop I would earmark more of that revenue for housing programs while making it harder to reduce these taxes in the future, further limiting the city’s fiscal flexibility.
Proposition J, Foreclosure Transfer Tax: NO
San Francisco’s commercial real estate market is already under tremendous stress, and adding transfer taxes to foreclosures and distressed property workouts would make matters worse. The city should be encouraging capital to return to its struggling real estate market, not making it more expensive to invest.
San Francisco Candidates
Board of Supervisors:
District 2: STEPHEN SHERRILL
Sherrill has focused on public safety, reducing bureaucracy, and supporting small businesses. As Supervisor, he has delivered tangible results, including eliminating restrictions that kept storefronts vacant along Van Ness and establishing an entertainment zone on Union Street to support local businesses.
District 4: ALAN WONG
Wong has prioritized public safety, small businesses, and neighborhood issues in the Sunset. In his first year, he supported Mayor Lurie’s Family Zoning Plan, backed additional police funding, and helped pass legislation that simplifies street-tree requirements for housing development.
District 6: MATT DORSEY
Dorsey has been one of the Board of Supervisors’ strongest advocates for public safety, adequate police staffing, and better responses to drug addiction. His leadership is particularly important to the recovery of downtown and SoMa.
District 8: NO ENDORSEMENT
Our Chapter previously supported Manny Yekutiel, who has since withdrawn from the race. We are not making a recommendation for D8.
District 10: THEO ELLINGTON
Ellington brings experience in economic development, public affairs, and homelessness services. His focus on public safety, neighborhood revitalization, and attracting investment would be valuable for District 10.
Board of Education: PHIL KIM, AUTUMN BROWN GARIBAY, TIM TUNG — Previously endorsed by GFC’s SF Public Schools Chapter.
SFUSD faces serious academic and financial challenges, and the School Board needs to put students ahead of politics. Kim has a strong record on academic standards, Brown Garibay brings the perspective of an engaged parent and education advocate, and Tung brings much-needed financial expertise.
Community College Board: ELIJAH BALL, MONROE LACE, ERWIN TAM
City College faces declining enrollment, structural deficits, and an uncertain financial future. Ball brings campus planning experience, Lace brings an educator’s perspective, and Tam brings deep public-finance expertise.
Community College Board, Partial Term: RUTH FERGUSON
Ferguson has focused on City College’s financial problems, workforce programs, and enrollment strategy. She understands the difficult decisions needed to put the college on a sustainable path.
Other Races Appearing on San Francisco Ballots
U.S. House, District 11: SCOTT WIENER
Wiener has been one of California’s most effective legislators on housing policy, consistently challenging regulations that make it harder to build. His willingness to take on entrenched interests and push for housing, transportation, and regulatory reform is exactly what we need in Washington.
State Assembly, District 17: MATT HANEY
Haney has been a strong advocate for downtown recovery, including legislation to facilitate office-to-residential conversions and remove barriers to redevelopment. He understands that San Francisco needs more housing, investment, and economic activity.
State Assembly, District 19: CATHERINE STEFANI
Stefani has focused on public safety, victims’ rights, and responsive government. Her experience on the Board of Supervisors gives her a practical understanding of San Francisco’s challenges.
BART Board, District 8: SARA BARZ
BART needs better management, stronger financial discipline, and a more reliable experience for riders. Barz brings valuable experience in regional transit coordination, fare integration, and transportation operations.
Regional Ballot Measure
Regional Measure RTM, Bay Area Transit Funding: YES
We are generally skeptical of raising taxes to cover government operating deficits, but the consequences of severe cuts to BART and regional transit would be significant for the Bay Area economy. Unlike the separate Muni parcel tax, this measure addresses an interconnected regional system that is essential to San Francisco’s recovery, though transit agencies must still improve efficiency and control costs.
