By Richard Ivanhoe, with help from Christin Evans, HANC Board
San Francisco could see as many as four elections in 2022. The first is on February 15, 2002. Joaquin Torres, who was appointed by Mayor Breed to replace Carmen Chu as assessor-recorder, is running unopposed to continue as assessor-recorder for the remainder of his term (through January, 2023). The measures to recall school board members Alison Collins, Gabriela Lopez, and Faauuga Molina also appear on this ballot. February 15 is also the date for the special primary election for Assembly District 17, for a replacement for David Chiu, who was appointed as City Attorney by Mayor Breed. This is a special election for the remainder of the term, which ends in January, 2023.
If no candidate for Assembly District 17 receives a majority of the vote, there will be a special general election for the seat on April 19. Only the top two vote-getters will appear on the ballot.
Read more ...
By James Sword, HANC Board
On December 14, 2021, District 3 Supervisor Aaron Peskin tweeted “We're putting Recall Reform on the June 2022 ballot. Taxpayers should not be forced to spend millions to recall officials who were just elected or are up for re-election in the same year. Thx to co-sponsors @shamannwalton @HillaryRonen @DeanPreston @conniechansf @myrnamelgar!” This tweet was soon followed by a Chronicle story about the various measures up for the June 2022 election – one of four we get to participate in this year!
As the Chronicle reported, “Supervisor Aaron Peskin wants to change how vacancies on the Board of Supervisors, Board of Education, and Community College District Board of Trustees are filled. Currently, the mayor appoints replacements in the middle of an election cycle. Peskin wants to instead have a majority of each board’s members appoint a replacement to fill a vacant seat — for example, leaving the power to pick a temporary new colleague up to supervisors.”
The amendment will also limit recalls to officials who have served in office for at least 12 months, up from the current six months. It will prohibit the submission of recall petitions within 18 months of a regularly scheduled election for the official – the Board of Education members being recalled are up for election in November 2022. Supervisors Shamann Walton, Connie Chan, Hillary Ronen, Dean Preston and Myrna Melgar support the measure.
Read more ...