San Francisco's Proposition E, on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot, would overhaul how the city buys goods and services and signs contracts. The charter amendment would hand the city administrator broad new authority over purchasing and technology, raise the dollar amount of contracts that can take effect without a Board of Supervisors vote, and double the administrator's term from five years to 10.

Mayor Daniel Lurie put Prop E on the ballot by signature petition. The San Francisco Public Press describes it as part of the mayor's "triplet" of City Hall governance measures, alongside Prop D and Prop F. Its legal text names it the "Modernizing City Contracting" Initiative Act.

What Prop E would change

The city administrator is appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the Board of Supervisors, not elected. Today the office manages contracting for many departments, but the rules are set by a mix of that office, the board, the mayor and other departments. According to the League of Women Voters of San Francisco, Prop E would:

  • Give the city administrator sole authority to propose most new contracting and purchasing ordinances. They would become law unless the Board of Supervisors or the mayor rejects them within 60 days.
  • Let the administrator set purchasing rules that override conflicting department rules, and set citywide technology policy.
  • Extend that authority to departments that are exempt today, including the Municipal Transportation Agency, which runs Muni, the Public Utilities Commission, the airport, the port and some arts departments.
  • Double the administrator's term from five years to 10, including the term already under way. The legal text says the term of whoever holds the job on Jan. 1, 2027 would be extended to 10 years in total.

The new contract limits

  • Contracts and leases that bring in money: Board approval would be needed at $4.5 million instead of $1 million.
  • Contracts that cost the city money: Board approval would be needed at $25 million instead of $10 million.

Under the legal text, the city controller would adjust those thresholds for inflation starting July 1, 2032, and every five years after that, rounded to the nearest $500,000.

What your vote means

  • Yes: The city administrator gains control over purchasing and contracting rules citywide, fewer contracts go to the Board of Supervisors, and the administrator's term doubles to 10 years.
  • No: Current contracting rules, approval thresholds and the five-year term stay in place.

Who is for and against it

Supporters include the San Francisco Democratic Party, Firefighters Local 798, the SF Building Trades, Teamsters Local 665, the Council of District Merchants Associations and the Chinatown History and Culture Association. They say Prop E cuts waste in city contracting, fights corruption with transparent standards and adds accountability.

The League of Women Voters lists Larry S. Marso as the opponent. He argues the measure treats checks and balances as the enemy, that the same goals could be reached through ordinary legislation, and that the mayor is seeking permanent new executive power.

Prop E sits alongside Prop A, a separate charter cleanup that would also give the city administrator more control over real estate deals. The last day to register is Oct. 19, and Election Day is Nov. 3. Find every local measure in our 2026 Bay Area election guide.