San Francisco residents will face a pivotal ballot on Nov. 3. Three charter amendments – Props. D, E and F – seek to concentrate power in the mayor’s office. If approved, Prop. D would raise the signature requirement for initiatives from 2% to 8% of the electorate, making it harder for grassroots groups to place measures on the ballot. Prop. E would expand the city administrator’s authority to award contracts, and Prop. F would give the mayor the ability to consolidate city departments.
New donor class backs the effort
The campaign to pass the measures has attracted a fresh class of donors, many of whom have previously supported Lurie’s anti‑poverty nonprofit, Tipping Point Community. Notable contributions include $250,000 from investor Thomas Laffont, $125,000 from Hims & Hers CEO Andrew Richard Dudum and his spouse Lea, $100,000 each from Dropbox CEO Andrew Houston and venture investor Matthew Sonsini, and $100,000 from Meyer Malka of Palo Alto fintech firm Ribbit. Tech‑industry figures such as crypto executive Chris Larsen, former venture capitalist Michael Moritz, and Laurene Powell Jobs (through Emerson Collective) have collectively given roughly $6 million toward the charter effort.
Political context and opposition
The measures follow a 2024 attempt to amend the charter that failed after being linked to a polarizing mayoral candidate. Unlike that effort, Lurie entered office in January 2025 with strong approval and has personally spent at least $1.2 million on consultants and advertising to promote the reforms.
Labor unions and progressive groups have criticized Prop. D as an anti‑democratic move that would favor wealthy interests able to fund paid signature gatherers. They have raised only $200,000 to oppose the measure, a stark contrast to the $3 million spent on a failed “Overpaid CEO Tax” initiative earlier this year. Critics label the package a power grab, while some moderates argue it does not go far enough to overhaul the charter.
Impact on local governance
Supporters argue the reforms will streamline city operations, reduce bureaucratic fragmentation, and curb what they see as entrenched corruption and waste. By allowing the mayor to merge departments, the city could achieve cost savings and improve service delivery. Expanding the city administrator’s contracting authority is presented as a way to speed up procurement and reduce red tape.
Opponents warn that raising the signature threshold could silence community voices and make it more difficult for grassroots initiatives to reach voters. They contend that concentrating authority in a single office runs counter to the city’s tradition of shared governance.
What voters need to know
San Franciscans will decide whether to adopt the three amendments on the November ballot. Voters should consider how the changes would affect their ability to propose initiatives, the balance of power among city officials, and the overall transparency of city operations. The outcome will shape the city’s governance structure for years to come.
Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.
