Committee forwards ordinance to create voting systems task force after widespread public support

The committee voted to forward an ordinance establishing a nine-member voting systems task force to the full Board with a recommendation after an extended public-comment period that included advocates and technical experts.

Supervisor Amiano and the city attorney described the task force's proposed composition: two representatives from good-government groups, four with backgrounds in computer science/software, two with experience accommodating voters with disabilities, and an ex-officio member of the Elections Commission. The task force would have a two-year sunset and advise the Board on voting-system standards, design and development.

Multiple speakers from election-reform and open-source groups urged the Board to act. Jim Soper, a senior software consultant, warned about proprietary systems and lack of source-code transparency: "The source code is hidden. We don't know what's going on inside the machines," he said, arguing San Francisco should explore open-source alternatives and address auditability for ranked-choice elections. Other speakers, including advocates for accessible voting and local reform groups, urged the task force to study auditing approaches and assist with public testing.

The committee moved the ordinance forward to the full Board with a recommendation and asked that the task force establish a web page for agendas and public notices, per the sponsor's suggestion.

Next steps: the ordinance will be considered by the full Board; if approved, staff and the Board will begin appointments and set up public-facing materials for the task force.