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Board approves charter amendment to let noncitizen residents serve on city boards; heads to November ballot
Summary
The Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to place a charter amendment on the Nov. 3, 2020 ballot that would remove a requirement that board and commission appointees be U.S. citizens and registered voters and instead require only city residency and voting age.
The Board of Supervisors unanimously voted June 23 to submit a charter amendment to the Nov. 3, 2020 ballot that would change qualifications for appointments to city boards, commissions and advisory bodies.
Current charter language requires appointees to be U.S. citizens and registered voters. The proposed amendment would replace that citizenship requirement with a residency and minimum voting‑age requirement, allowing lawful permanent residents and other noncitizen residents who are of voting age to serve on city bodies.
Supervisor Walton spoke in support, saying the measure would remove barriers that prevent undocumented residents from serving on commissions and would increase representation and equity on advisory bodies. Several other supervisors voiced support and thanked advocates and staff who helped draft the measure.
Vote: The clerk recorded an 11–0 roll call vote to submit the charter amendment for the November 3 ballot.
Why it matters: If approved by San Francisco voters, the charter amendment would expand the pool of residents eligible to participate in city advisory functions, a change supporters framed as an equity measure that would allow more inclusive community representation on policy bodies. The board's vote merely sends the question to voters; implementation would follow only if voters approve the ballot measure.
