San Francisco Voters to Decide Proposition F in 2026
Voters will determine if the mayor gains greater authority to reorganize city departments and staff.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Remote Work
Live Poll
Should San Francisco voters grant the mayor more authority over city departments and commissions?
San Francisco residents will head to the polls on November 3, 2026, to decide on Proposition F. The measure aims to grant the mayor increased power to appoint and remove department heads and reorganize city government structures.
Why it matters
Proponents argue that granting these powers will reduce fragmentation and improve accountability for city services. Critics contend that the changes concentrate too much authority in the mayor's office and weaken independent oversight.
Campaigns for the proposed charter amendments, including Propositions D, E, and F, have raised $13 million. This follows the 2024 push for Proposition D, which saw $9 million in total funds raised to support the expansion of mayoral authority.
The players
Matt Dorsey
He is the current District 6 supervisor who was appointed to the position on May 9, 2022.
Alex Behrend
He is a candidate for the District 6 supervisor seat who has taken a position on the ballot measure.
The details
The proposal specifically looks to expand mayoral control over city commissioners and department personnel. This move follows a long history of voters amending the 1996 city charter, which has been changed 153 times over the last three decades.
Timeline
The city charter system underwent a significant shift toward a chief administrative officer in 1932.
The current San Francisco city charter was established in 1996.
District 6 supervisor Matt Dorsey was appointed to his role on May 9, 2022.
Voters are scheduled to cast their ballots on Proposition F on November 3, 2026.
Market Landscape
The proposal continues a long-term trend of adjusting the 1996 city charter to redistribute municipal authority. These recurring ballot measures reflect a broader arms race between advocates for strong-mayor systems and those prioritizing independent oversight.
The potential reorganization of city departments could significantly alter how residents interact with municipal services and oversight agencies. Voters should prepare to evaluate how changing mayoral control will impact the accessibility and accountability of their local government.
The takeaway
Voters should weigh the benefits of streamlined administrative accountability against the risks of reduced oversight. Researching the specific impacts of these charter amendments is essential for understanding how city government will function after the election.
Further reading
Learn more about the local political environment in the Remote Work section.
More information
For more information on the upcoming election, visit the San Francisco voter registration portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mission Local.
Live Poll
Should San Francisco voters grant the mayor more authority over city departments and commissions?
