Board directs Elections Department to mail ballots to all registered voters and deliver November plan by June 30

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on May 19 approved an ordinance on first reading directing the Department of Elections to prepare a plan for the November 2020 election that includes universal vote-by-mail distribution and a timeline for in-person voting centers.

Supervisor Ronan, the bill’s author, said the measure is intended to protect voters’ health and ensure access ahead of what she described as “probably the most important” November election. She referenced Governor Newsom’s May 8 executive order requiring counties to send ballots to all registered voters but said local planning must address safe in-person voting options for residents who cannot receive or use mailed ballots.

The ordinance requires the Department of Elections to mail a ballot to every registered voter for the November election, to notify households about registration options, and to implement in-person and early voting centers configured to promote social distancing and safety. The department must submit to the Board of Supervisors a plan for the November election no later than June 30 and later provide an analysis of implementing the Voter’s Choice Act (VCA) for future elections.

Supervisor Ronan urged a publicly transparent planning process that includes outreach to communities with limited English proficiency and organizations focused on historically low-turnout communities.

The board approved the measure on first reading by unanimous roll call (11–0). Several supervisors asked to be added as cosponsors during the meeting.

Why this matters: The ordinance formalizes a local mandate for universal mailed ballots in the November election and sets an early deadline for a department plan, giving the Board of Supervisors a timeline to review public-health-informed voting logistics.

Relevant quote - "We can't leave voters with the impossible choice of deciding between their health and casting a ballot," Supervisor Ronan said when introducing the ordinance.

Formal action - Item 11 (ordinance to amend the Municipal Elections Code): passed on first reading by unanimous roll call (11 ayes).

Speakers - Supervisor Ronan — Supervisor — government - Supervisor Feuer — Supervisor — government (added as co-sponsor during roll call)

Authorities - ordinance: "Municipal Elections Code amendment to require Department of Elections to mail ballots and report on Voter’s Choice Act implementation" — referenced_by: ["item 11"]

Actions [{