San Francisco voters will decide on Proposition A, a charter amendment on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot that rewrites dozens of rules for how City Hall runs. Supporters describe it as "110 small fixes," according to the San Francisco Public Press. Its most debated change would let city leaders reshape or eliminate many commissions and boards without asking voters first.

What Prop A would change

The City Charter works as San Francisco's constitution, and only voters can amend it. Many commissions, boards, task forces and advisory bodies are written into it today. According to the League of Women Voters of San Francisco's nonpartisan guide, Prop A would:

  • Move many commissions out of the charter and into the Municipal Code, which the Board of Supervisors can change without a public vote.
  • Eliminate some commissions and reduce the duties and authority of others.
  • Make qualifications for many commissioner seats optional instead of required.
  • End the general requirement that every commission produce an annual public report.
  • Let supervisors approve legal settlements recommended by the City Attorney by resolution instead of ordinance. A resolution needs only one vote and gives the public less time to review it.
  • Give the city administrator authority to manage more of the city's real estate deals.
  • Expand the Public Utilities Commission's authority to cover infrastructure design and drop the rule that utility funds sit in separate city treasury accounts.

KALW, reporting with the San Francisco Public Press, called the measure "a grab bag" and said its biggest change is giving city leaders the power to alter more commissions and boards without voter approval.

How it fits with Props D, E and F

Prop A was placed on the ballot by nine supervisors: Chen, Dorsey, Mahmood, Mandelman, Melgar, Sauter, Sherrill, Walton and Wong. KALW reports it is part of a wider City Hall reform push that includes three measures Mayor Daniel Lurie put on the ballot by petition: Prop D on the ballot measure process, Prop E on city contracting and Prop F on mayoral control of departments.

What your vote means

  • Yes: The charter changes go ahead, including moving many commissions into city law, ending annual commission reports and approving settlements by resolution.
  • No: The charter stays as it is, and changes to those commissions would still need voter approval.

As a charter amendment, Prop A needs a simple majority to pass.

Who is for and against it

The League of Women Voters lists Mayor Lurie as a supporter. Backers say cleaning up and modernizing the charter is good housekeeping, that cutting duplicate reports and inactive commissions reduces waste, and that supervisors should be able to handle small fixes through legislation.

The Coalition on Homelessness opposes it, and KALW reports the League of Women Voters and the San Francisco League of Pissed Off Voters are also against it. Opponents argue that removing commissions cuts the public participation good government needs and that optional qualifications open the door to political patronage. They also warn that letting supervisors change or eliminate the Our City Our Home Oversight Committee, which watches spending on housing and services for unhoused residents, could slow progress on homelessness.

The last day to register to vote is Oct. 19, and Election Day is Nov. 3. See every measure and race in our 2026 Bay Area election guide.