San Francisco Recall Results Are In!

What Is a Recall Election?

A recall election is a special election that occurs when a certain number of registered voters petition to remove an official from their elected office. It is usually initiated when people are unhappy or unsatisfied with the performance of the person in office. In the case of San Francisco, it is the first recall election since 2010.

What Was On the Ballot?

The ballot for the San Francisco recall election included four main issues: the mayor, two district supervisors, and a ballot measure. The mayor, London Breed, was the main focus of the recall effort, as there was widespread dissatisfaction with her handling of the city’s homelessness crisis and other issues. The two district supervisors, Ahsha Safai and Rafael Mandelman, were also the target of recall efforts. Lastly, San Francisco voters were asked to approve a ballot measure that would limit the mayor’s power to appoint commissioners, and require that they be approved by the Board of Supervisors.

Who Were the Candidates?

There were nine candidates running for mayor, including London Breed. There were also seven candidates running for the two district supervisor seats. All of these candidates were endorsed by various local organizations and advocacy groups, and ran on a variety of platforms.

What Were the Results?

The results of the San Francisco recall election were announced on June 8th, 2023. London Breed was the clear winner in the race for mayor, winning with over 55% of the vote. Ahsha Safai and Rafael Mandelman were also both re-elected to their district supervisor seats. Finally, the ballot measure to limit the mayor’s power to appoint commissioners and require approval of the Board of Supervisors was approved by a majority of voters.

What Does This Mean for San Francisco?

The results of the San Francisco recall election have been met with mixed reactions. Supporters of the recall argue that London Breed’s victory shows that the citizens of San Francisco are still largely behind her, despite her handling of the city’s homelessness crisis. Opponents of the recall argue that the election results prove that the recall effort was misguided, and that Breed should be allowed to continue her work as mayor.

What’s Next?

Now that the San Francisco recall election is over, the city can move on to other important issues. Mayor London Breed will continue to face the challenge of addressing the city’s homelessness crisis, as well as other issues such as education, public safety, and economic development. District supervisors Ahsha Safai and Rafael Mandelman will also continue to work to improve their districts, and the ballot measure that was approved by voters will take effect in the near future.

Conclusion

The San Francisco recall election was an important event in the city’s history. The results show that London Breed is still popular among the citizens of San Francisco, but also that there is still much work to be done to address the city’s many issues. It remains to be seen how the newly approved ballot measure will affect the mayor’s power to appoint commissioners, and what other changes the new election results will bring to the city.