Golden State Today

Advocates Postpone Campaign To Bring Independent Redistricting Reforms to San Francisco Voters

Aug 5, 2024

Since San Francisco’s most recent redistricting process, California Common Cause, the League of Women Voters of San Francisco, and a coalition of good government groups and local grassroots advocates have worked to raise awareness of how San Francisco can improve its redistricting efforts. These organizations have collaborated with communities throughout the city to develop a nonpartisan proposal aimed at making redistricting in San Francisco more transparent, accountable, and inclusive.

Big money special interests opposed the proposal, arguing it would "politicize" the process of drawing supervisor districts. The coalition refuted this claim, stating that their proposal would end the current political appointment process where two-thirds of the SF Redistricting Task Force are handpicked by the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors. Instead, a task force reflecting the city’s diversity would be selected through a neutral process from a group of qualified applicants. The proposal also includes measures to prohibit backdoor communications between task force members and politicians.

Reform is deemed necessary as cities and counties are required every ten years to redraw election districts based on updated census population counts. The most recent redistricting process was chaotic, leaving many communities feeling unheard and disenfranchised. The task force overseeing the controversial process issued a report recommending reforms, which were detailed by the Office of the Clerk of the Board and the San Francisco Elections Commission.

The proposed reforms are based on successful experiences with independent redistricting commissions at both state and local levels across California. These commissions ensure fair district lines through open processes led by qualified, independent community members.

Despite opposition from well-funded special interests and competing priorities for the November election, advocates have decided to postpone their ballot measure efforts until 2026. While this decision may disappoint some community members, organizers remain confident that San Franciscans will eventually support a more transparent, inclusive, and fair redistricting process.

For those interested in joining the effort for redistricting reform in 2026, contact jstein@commoncause.org or redistricting@lwvsf.org.