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Committee forwards ordinance to appropriate about $4.5 million in state election reimbursements
Summary
The Budget and Finance Committee voted 3–0 to send an ordinance to the full Board that would appropriate roughly $4.5 million in state reimbursement to the Department of Elections to offset costs from the Nov. 4, 2025 special election; final election costs must be reported by Feb. 20, 2026.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors’ Budget and Finance Committee on Nov. 19 voted 3–0 to forward to the full Board an ordinance that would appropriate approximately $4.5 million in state cost‑reimbursement revenue to the Department of Elections to cover expenses related to the Nov. 4, 2025 statewide special election.
The ordinance, as introduced by the Clerk, authorizes the Department of Elections to accept and spend state funds that were provided to counties to offset special‑election costs tied to Proposition 50. Department Director John Rarts told supervisors the $4.5 million figure is an estimate submitted to the state and the department must file its final election‑related costs with the Secretary of State by Feb. 20, 2026. "This amount represents an estimate of expected costs that the Department of Elections submitted to the state before the election," Rarts said.
Nick Menard of the Budget and Legislative Analyst’s office reviewed the BLA report and recommended approval, noting the report summarizes planned spending and that any unspent state funds can be applied to the next statewide election. Chair Connie Chan asked whether any savings from the state reimbursement could be applied to the June 2026 election; Rarts said final costs are not yet settled but staffing‑related reimbursements could be applied to the June election.
No members of the public signed up to speak. Chair Chan moved to forward the item with a positive recommendation; the roll call recorded unanimous committee approval and the item will proceed to the Board for final action, which the Clerk said is expected to appear on the Board agenda Dec. 2 unless otherwise stated.
The Committee’s action is a recommendation to the full Board; final appropriation and any required two‑thirds charter vote will occur at Board consideration.
