San Francisco public safety measures backed by Mayor Breed win big on Election Day
The obvious caveat is that there are a lot of votes left to be counted in San Francisco, but at moderate campaign headquarters, there was a lot of optimism on election night.
"I just want to say Propositions E and F right now are leading," Mayor London Breed told an enthusiastic crowd. "And, Supervisor [Matt] Dorsey, Proposition B is losing."
On Tuesday night, Measure E, which would broaden police powers by allowing them to use more technology like drones and cameras and to pursue suspects even in non-violent crimes, had nearly 60,000 Yes votes, or 60% of the vote. A simple majority is needed for it to pass.
Measure F stood at 63,000 Yes votes, giving it more than the simple majority needed to pass. That proposition would require those receiving cash assistance from the city to undergo drug screenings. While recipients would not have to prove sobriety, they would have to enroll in treatment if the city thinks it's necessary or lose the cash.
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Breed watched the early results come across the phone with a collection of San Francisco's moderate Democrat groups, GrowSF, Together SF, and San Francisco Democrats for Change, and from the ballot measures to the DCCC slate, there was a lot of cheering.
"I think it's the Democratic slate," GrowSF leader Steven Bus told the crowd.
"We are in the midst of a voter revolt on public safety, and voters are still speaking," said Supervisor Matt Dorsey. "Thank you Mayor London Breed for your leadership. I am proud to be standing shoulder with you,"
Opponents said the measures will not make the public safer and accused tech billionaires of trying to buy the election and peppering voters with misleading information. They bemoaned low voter turnout.
"What is disheartening is the record low turnout for this presidential primary," said Celi Tamayo-Lee, executive director of San Francisco Rising, which advocates for working-class and minority communities. "What has been counted is not the voice of all voters."
So it appeared to be a very strong night for moderates in San Francisco, their ballot measures, and ultimately the mayor herself, as she heads towards a reelection fight in November.
Proposition B was the other police-related measure on San Francisco's ballot and voters did not back it. Less than one-third of voters approved Prop B, a charter amendment supported by some members of the Board of Supervisors like Ahsha Safai and board president Aaron Peskin that would have set staffing levels at certain numbers of officers in the coming fiscal years.
Dorsey was among those who opposed Prop B, arguing that the amendment would essentially put the cart before the horse by requiring expenditures for new officers that would result in the need for new taxes.
Among other measures on San Francisco's ballot Tuesday was Proposition A, a bond issue that would generate about $25 million annually. The measure needed two-thirds approval to pass and was narrowly above that at 67.74% as of late Tuesday.
Voters also appeared to approve Proposition C to exempt properties converted from commercial to residential uses from being assessed a transfer tax, Proposition D to tighten ethics laws for public employees to further prohibit bribes through third parties, Proposition F to require screening and treatment for recipients of city public assistance, and Proposition G, an advisory measure on whether the city's schools should offer Algebra 1 by eighth grade.
The Associated Press and Bay City News contributed to this report.