Proposition C

Removing Citizenship Requirements for Members of San Francisco City Bodies

Would amend the charter of the City and County of San Francisco to require that members of boards, commissions, and advisory bodies be residents of the City and of legal voting age, replacing the requirement that members of boards, commissions, and advisory bodies be U.S. citizens and registered voters. Proposition C requires a simple majority (50% + 1) to pass.

Fiscal Impact: Would have a minimal impact on the cost of government.

Next San Francisco County Measure: Proposition D

See Endorsements for Proposition C

Pro:

Proponents of Proposition C argue that City commissions should reflect the diverse population of San Francisco and that the measure will give all San Franciscans, regardless of immigration status, a voice, representation, and equal rights to serve on boards and commissions. They argue that the measure will expand San Francisco’s law to align with California’s existing law to allow all residents, regardless of immigration status, to serve on California’s local and state boards and commissions.

A YES vote on this measure means: The City Charter would be amended to remove the requirement that people serving on City boards, commissions, and advisory bodies be registered voters and U.S. citizens, and will continue to require people old enough to vote in City elections and be San Francisco residents.

Con:

No argument in opposition to Proposition C has been submitted.

A NO vote on this measure means: The requirement that those serving on City boards, commissions, and advisory bodies be registered to vote in San Francisco and U.S. citizens would remain.

Background

The City government includes many boards, commissions, and advisory bodies (City Bodies). In general, city Bodies are created through either the City Charter (Charter) or by ordinance. Currently, people who serve on City Bodies created through the Charter must be registered to vote in San Francisco, unless the Charter sets a different rule. People who serve on all City Bodies, whether created through the Charter or ordinance, must be U.S. citizens.

Currently, the people allowed to serve on City Bodies must be both:

1. Registered to vote in San Francisco, unless:

The Charter sets a different rule for City Bodies created through the Charter. (For example, people below voting age may serve on the Youth Commission.)
For City Bodies created by ordinance, the public official appointing members may waive the San Francisco residency requirement because a qualified San Francisco resident cannot be found.

2. Members of all City bodies, whether created by Charter or ordinance must be U.S. citizens.

Proposition C Proposal

Proposition C would remove the requirement that a person be a registered voter and a U.S. citizen to serve on any City Body. The measure would continue to require that people serving on City Bodies be old enough to vote in City elections and be San Francisco residents, unless the Charter or ordinance sets a different rule for a particular City Body. For City Bodies created through ordinance, Proposition C would continue to allow these requirements to be waived if a person meeting them cannot be found.

Source: Legal Text of Proposition C and League of Women Voters of San Francisco Nonpartisan Analysis of Proposition C

Official Resources

City and County of San Francisco Department of Elections

Official San Francisco Voter Guide for November 3, 2020

Nonpartisan Analysis

San Francisco and California November 2020 Voter Guide. SPUR.