This legislation extends the time frame for initiating recall petitions from six to twelve months after an official takes office and prevents recall petitions from being submitted if the election would coincide with a regularly scheduled election within that twelve-month period. It also states that any interim officer appointed due to a recall cannot run in the subsequent election for that position.
Charter Amendment (Third Draft) to amend the Charter of the City and County of San Francisco to extend the ban on the initiation of recall petitions from six to twelve months after the official has assumed office; prohibit the submission of a recall petition to the Department of Elections, if the subsequent recall election would be required to be held within twelve months of a regularly scheduled election for the office held by the official sought to be recalled; and provide that any interim officer appointed to fill a vacancy created by a recall election, held on or after June 7, 2022, may not be a candidate in the subsequent vacancy election; at an election to be held on June 7, 2022.
How it got here
The Charter Amendment to modify the recall process and vacancy appointments in San Francisco originated from a proposal by several Supervisors in response to ongoing political dynamics and recall efforts.
The Board of Supervisors introduced a Charter Amendment to extend the ban on recall petitions and change vacancy appointment processes.
The proposed Charter Amendment was referred to various city departments for review and comment.
The City Controller provided a financial analysis indicating potential savings from the proposed changes.
The Rules Committee amended the Charter Amendment to clarify the provisions regarding recall petitions and vacancy appointments.
The Planning Department determined that the proposed Charter Amendment would not result in a significant environmental impact.
The Board of Supervisors ordered the Charter Amendment to be submitted to voters for the June 7, 2022 election.
Supervisor Melgar withdrew her co-sponsorship of the Charter Amendment, indicating a shift in support.
Reconstructed from attached documents & the official record
