Removing Citizenship Requirements for Members of City Bodies

Shall the City amend the Charter to remove the requirement that people serving on City boards, commissions and advisory bodies be registered voters and U.S. citizens, and continue to require those people be old enough to vote in City elections and be San Francisco residents?

Digest by the Ballot Simplification Committee

The Way It Is Now: 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.

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 City Bodies created by ordinance are required to be registered to vote in San Francisco, unless:

• The Board of Supervisors has removed the requirement for that specific City Body; or

• The public official making the appointment to a City Body waives the San Francisco residency requirement because a qualified San Francisco resident could not be found.

People who serve on all City Bodies, whether created through the Charter or ordinance, must be U.S. citizens.

The Proposal: Proposition C is a Charter amendment that would remove the requirement that a person be a registered voter and a U.S. citizen to serve on any City Body. Proposition C 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.

A "YES" Vote Means: If you vote "yes," you want to amend the City Charter 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 be old enough to vote in City elections and be San Francisco residents.

A "NO" Vote Means: If you vote "no," you do not want to make this change.

Controller's Statement on "C"

City Controller Ben Rosenfield has issued the following statement on the fiscal impact of Proposition C:

Should the proposed charter amendment be approved by the voters, in my opinion, it would have a minimal impact on the cost of government.

The amendment would allow non-citizens to serve on policy bodies, such as boards, commissions, and advisory bodies. Members of these policy bodies would be required to be residents of San Francisco and of voting age, except in certain circumstances.

How "C" Got on the Ballot

On June 23, 2020, the Board of Supervisors voted 11 to 0 to place Proposition C on the ballot. The Supervisors voted as follows:

Yes: Fewer, Haney, Mandelman, Mar, Peskin, Preston, Ronen, Safai, Stefani, Walton, Yee.

No: None.

This measure requires 50%+1 affirmative votes to pass.

The above statement is an impartial analysis of this measure. Some of the words used in the ballot digest are explained in Words you need to know >.

Proponent’s Argument in Favor of Proposition C

YES on C: Commissions for ALL!

San Francisco is the home and sanctuary to people from all walks of life. Our city commissions should reflect the diverse population, but it currently does not. People of color on boards and commissions have decreased every year since 2015 and Asian Pacific Islanders, Latinx, African Americans, Women, and LGBTQ San Francisco residents are still underrepresented.

YES on C: Commissions for ALL will give ALL San Franciscans, regardless of immigration status, a voice, representation and equal rights to serve on boards and commissions.

YES on C: Commissions for ALL 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.

Our democratic values are upheld when our government has equal and equitable representation. Expanding membership of commissions and boards to every San Franciscan will help the City to better deliver services. These diverse lived experiences will help create and review public policy that supports and protects all people.

Yes on C: Commissions for ALL was co-sponsored and submitted to the ballot unanimously by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

Please join ALL of us and vote Yes on C: Commissions for ALL!

Supervisor Shamann Walton, Author

President, Board of Supervisors Norman Yee

Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer

Supervisor Aaron Peskin

Supervisor Gordon Mar

Supervisor Dean Preston

Supervisor Matt Haney

Supervisor Rafael Mandelman

Supervisor Hillary Ronen

Supervisor Ahsha Safai

San Francisco Democratic Party

United Educators of San Francisco

Arguments are the opinions of the authors and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency. Arguments are published as submitted. Spelling and grammatical errors have not been corrected.

Rebuttal to Proponent’s Argument in Favor of Proposition C

No Rebuttal or Opponent’s Argument Against Proposition C Was Submitted

Arguments are the opinions of the authors and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency. Arguments are published as submitted. Spelling and grammatical errors have not been corrected.

Opponent's Argument Against Proposition C

No Rebuttal or Opponent’s Argument Against Proposition C Was Submitted

Arguments are the opinions of the authors and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency. Arguments are published as submitted. Spelling and grammatical errors have not been corrected.

Paid Arguments in Favor of Proposition C

Paid Argument IN FAVOR of Proposition C

Unlike the Democrats and Republicans, the Libertarian Party strongly supports the right of people to move freely from one country to another, and to be treated equally by law regardless of where they are from, whether or not a government considers them its "citizens".

Citizenship is just another unnecessary Big Government program that enables those in power to divide and control people and extort money from them.

Non-citizens in San Francisco are required to pay taxes like other residents. Restricting them from full political participation amounts to taxation without representation, one of the practices against which the American Revolution was fought.

Given that the only legitimacy the government has is derived from the consent of the governed and from upholding human and civil rights on a non-discriminatory basis, its laws must not be allowed to discriminate on the basis of innate characteristics like race, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin.

San Francisco thrives on the skills and perspectives of a diverse population. Let's unleash everyone's full potential!

Libertarians are proud to stand with immigrant communities in supporting Proposition C.

Libertarian Party of San Francisco

www.LPSF.org

The true source(s) of funds for the printing fee of this argument: Libertarian Party of San Francisco.

The three largest contributors to the true source recipient committee: 1. Scott Banister, 2. David Jeffries, 3. Tim Carico.

Paid Argument IN FAVOR of Proposition C

LATINOS: 15% de San Francisco. 8% de Comisionados - VOTA Sí en C

During these times of COVD-19, the Latinx community is suffering the highest infection rate in San Francisco. While federal assistance and unemployment are denied to tens of thousands of immigrant Latinos, we hold one of the lowest service rates on Board and Commissions that help guide how critical services are delivered.

It is time to expand eligibility for ALL San Franciscans to serve on boards and commissions. Senate Bill 225, signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom last year, set a precedent for this Proposition. Prop C would revise San Francisco's charter to be compatible with current state law.

Please join us in voting YES on Proposition C to give all San Franciscans a seat at the table!

San Francisco Latino Democratic Club

San Francisco Latinx Young Democrats

Chicano Latino Caucus, California Democratic Party

La Raza Community Resource Center

The true source(s) of funds for the printing fee of this argument: San Francisco Latino Democratic Club.

Paid Argument IN FAVOR of Proposition C

YES on Prop C: Inclusion for LGBTQ+ Immigrants

17% of San Franciscans of voting age identify as LGBTQ+ while 35% are foreign-born. Prop C will expand the pool of San Franciscans eligible to serve on city commissions, including LGBTQ+ immigrants who have contributed so much to San Francisco's queer culture and history. Prop C will give LGBTQ+ immigrants a platform for civic engagement and community advocacy during a global pandemic and economic crisis that have disproportionately sidelined immigrant and queer communities.

YES on Prop C: Expands Inclusion of Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

Prop C updates the language of San Francisco's Charter to include more diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Yes on Prop C is supported by LGBTQ+ nonprofits such as Asylum Connect and Parivar to ensure that every member of the LGBTQ+ community in San Francisco regardless of immigration status has access to equitable political representation. It is time for LGBTQ+ aspiring citizens to be able to serve on commissions, advocate for equitable policies and services for all San Franciscans, and ensure that commissions reflect the diversity and interests of the LGBTQ+ community.

LGBT Asylum Project

Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club

Alice Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club

The true source(s) of funds for the printing fee of this argument: Okan Sengun.

Paid Argument IN FAVOR of Proposition C

YES on Prop C: Inclusion of Women

Expanding eligibility for all San Franciscans to serve on commissions and boards will create more opportunities for more women to participate civically. By providing ALL qualified San Franciscans the opportunity to serve, San Francisco will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with all residents and ensure that their unique voices and perspectives are heard in matters regarding their health, well-being and safety.

Please join San Francisco Women Leaders in voting YES on Proposition C to give all San Franciscans a seat at the table!

Myrna Melgar

Frances Hsieh

Tracy Brown

Jen Low

Sunny Angulo

Natalie Gee

Bivett Brackett

Shanell Williams

The true source(s) of funds for the printing fee of this argument: San Francisco Latino Democratic Club.

Paid Argument IN FAVOR of Proposition C

LABOR and WORKING FAMILIES SAY - Vote Yes on C

As much as 35% of our City was born in another country. People of color comprise 62% of San Francisco's population. Among working families, these percentages are even higher. Commissioners decide how City departments deploy resources and services while keeping management accountable.

Commissioners of color peaked from 57% in 2015 to 49% in 2019, meaning equity and representation are sliding backwards at a critical time in our history for social justice. Prop C would make as much of 1/3 of our population eligible to serve on all boards and commissions.

Representation matters. Commissions review budgets, set policy and hire top management that make staffing decisions. Just as these bodies need to be representative of our workforce, they just also need to be representative of our City.

IMPROVE GOVERNMENT SERVICES and FAIRNESS - Vote Yes on C

Longshore Warehouse Workers Union, Local 10

Conny Ford, OPEIU

Christopher Christensen, ILWU

The true source(s) of funds for the printing fee of this argument: San Francisco Latino Democratic Club.

End of Paid Arguments IN FAVOR of Proposition C

Arguments are the opinions of the authors and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency. Arguments are published as submitted. Spelling and grammatical errors have not been corrected.

Paid Arguments Against Proposition C

Paid Argument AGAINST Proposition C

Vote NO on Proposition C

We would not be submitting this argument to oppose the measure if the authors had simply crafted the proposition to include both citizens and other legal residents. Instead, this measure also includes non-legal residents. We still believe the best way for immigrants to take advantage of the full benefits of our nation is to acquire U.S. citizenship.

San Francisco Republican Party

John Dennis, Chairman

Delegates:

17th Assembly District: Cale Garverick, Krista Garverick, Joseph C. Roberts

19th Assembly District: Howard Epstein, Stephanie Jeong, Joan Leone, Tom Sleckman

The true source(s) of funds for the printing fee of this argument: San Francisco Republican Party.

The three largest contributors to the true source recipient committee: 1. Maurice Kanbar, 2. San Francisco Assoc. of Realtors, 3. Friends of John Dennis for Congress 2020.

Arguments are the opinions of the authors and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency. Arguments are published as submitted. Spelling and grammatical errors have not been corrected.

Legal Text

Describing and setting forth a proposal to the voters at an election to be held on November 3, 2020, to 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 United States citizens and registered voters.

Section 1. The Board of Supervisors hereby submits to the qualified voters of the City and County, at an election to be held on November 3, 2020, a proposal to amend the Charter of the City and County by revising Section 4.101, to read as follows:

NOTE: Unchanged Charter text and uncodified text are in plain font.

Additions are single-underline italics Times New Roman font.

Deletions are strike-through italics Times New Roman font.

Asterisks (* * * *) indicate the omission of unchanged Charter subsections.

SEC. 4.101. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS – COMPOSITION

(a) Unless otherwise provided in this Charter, the composition of each appointive board, commission, or advisory body of any kind established by this Charter or legislative act of the United States of America, the State of California, or the Board of Supervisors shall:

1. Be be broadly representative of the communities of interest, neighborhoods, and the diversity of the City and County in ethnicity, race, age, sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation, and types of disabilities. of the City and County and have representation of both sexes; and

(b) 2. Consist of electors All members of such bodies as described in subsection (a) shall be residents of the City and County and the minimum age required to vote in municipal elections in the City and County, at all times during the term of their respective offices, unless otherwise specifically provided in this Charter.; or in the case of Either or both of the requirements set forth in the first sentence of this subsection (b) shall not apply to boards, commissions, or advisory bodies established by legislative act if the legislation specifically exempts the position is (a) designated by ordinance for a person under legal voting age, or (b) unless specifically exempt from either or both requirements the provisions, or waived by if the appointing officer or entity upon a finding that an elector makes a finding that a person meeting both requirements with specific experience, skills or qualifications, and willing to serve, could not be located within the City and County.

(c) It shall be the official City policy that the composition of each appointive board, commission, or advisory body of any kind established by this Charter or legislative act of the United States of America, the State of California, or the Board of Supervisors shall reflect the interests and contributions of both men and women people of all races, ethnicities, ages, sexes, gender identities, sexual orientations, and types of disabilities. The voters therefore urge in the strongest terms all City officers and agencies involved in nominating, appointing, or confirming members of those appointive boards, commissions, or advisory bodies to consider and as appropriate support the nomination, appointment, or confirmation of female, minority, and disabled candidates women, people of color, seniors, people with disabilities, and people that reflect a range of sexual orientations and gender identities to fill seats on those bodies.

(d) The Commission on the Status of Women shall conduct an analysis of appointments to appointive boards, commissions, and advisory bodies established in the Charter or by legislative act, in the second and fourth year of each mayoral administrationterm to track the diversity of appointments to such bodies. This analysis, to be based only on voluntary disclosures, shall include gender, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, and any other relevant demographic qualities.

(be) Vacancies on appointive boards, commissions, or other units of government shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term in the manner prescribed by this Charter or ordinance for initial appointments.

(cf) Terms of office shall continue as they existed on the effective date of this Charter.

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