The Slow Reshaping of Local Democracy. Who Gains Power, and Who Loses a Voice?

This November, four San Francisco propositions share one easy reminder:

No on Props D-E-A-F

Together, they raise a larger question: Is City Hall becoming less willing to hear from the people it serves?

Changes in government often come incrementally: a streamlined approval process, a change to a commission, a higher threshold for citizen initiatives, more authority shifted to the Mayor or unelected administrators, another decision made without a public hearing.

Each may be presented as efficiency or reform. But what is the tradeoff, who gains power, and who is paying to get these measures passed?

Join a discussion of the November ballot on Monday, October 12 at 6:00 p.m. at Savoy Tivoli. Bring your voter guide and ballot.

Why NUSF Opposes Props D-E-A-F

Our concern is not only who makes decisions at City Hall, but who has the financial power to shape the elections that determine those decisions.

The committee supporting Props D, E and F has raised more than $12.5 million, with more than $6 million coming from just four individuals. GrowSF, YIMBY Action and SPUR all recommend Yes on D, E and F.

When this much money and organizational power line up behind changes to City Hall, voters should ask: Who gains influence, and whose voice becomes harder to hear?

No on Prop D: Keep citizen initiatives within reach	Raises the signature requirement from about 2% to 8% of registered voters, making citizen initiatives far more expensive to qualify and giving well funded interests a greater advantage over grassroots groups.
Case in point for No on D Yes Prop G: Great Highway Compromise	Prop G qualified with 15,924 signatures. Under Prop D, a similar citizen initiative would need roughly 42,500, making costly paid signature gathering far more likely.
No on Prop E: Keep elected oversight of major contracts	Expands the unelected City Administrator’s contracting authority, doubles the term from 5 to 10 years, and raises thresholds for contracts requiring Board approval.
No on Prop A: Preserve independent public oversight	Eliminates or consolidates commissions and moves others out of the Charter, making future changes possible without another citywide vote.
No on Prop F: Maintain checks on mayoral power	Gives the Mayor greater authority over department heads and government reorganization and makes most commissioners easier to remove. NUSF believes it concentrates too much authority in the Mayor’s office.

No on Prop 45

Prop 45 and CEQA: “When “Streamlining” Means Less Public Voice

California already enacted major CEQA reforms in 2025, including changes drawn from Senator Scott Wiener’s legislation. Prop 45 would go further by shortening review timelines, limiting consideration of alternatives, narrowing what courts can examine, and restricting judicial remedies.

Hundreds of organizations oppose Prop 45, including the League of Women Voters of California, American Lung Association, Sierra Club California, labor organizations, and health advocates.

NUSF’s concern is that this is not simply about speed. It shifts more power away from communities and reduces scrutiny before major decisions become difficult to reverse.

We can build housing and infrastructure without sacrificing meaningful environmental review and public participation.

The public is not “red tape.” We are the constituents.

Remember this November:

No on D-E-A-F

Yes on G

No on 45

ABOUT NEIGHBORHOODS UNITED SF

Neighborhoods United SF (NUSF) has mobilized over 60 neighborhoods across San Francisco to resist extreme state-mandated, locally-implemented height and density increases.

NUSF champions community-led planning to protect vulnerable residents and small businesses from gentrification while ensuring the livability of San Francisco's neighborhoods.

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﻿The Slow Reshaping of Local Democracy. Who Gains Power, and Who Loses a Voice?

Join a discussion of the November ballot on Monday, October 12 at 6:00 p.m. at Savoy Tivoli. Bring your voter guide and ballot.

Why NUSF Opposes Props D-E-A-F

When this much money and organizational power line up behind changes to City Hall, voters should ask: Who gains influence, and whose voice becomes harder to hear?

No on Prop 45

The Slow Reshaping of Local Democracy. Who Gains Power, and Who Loses a Voice?