San Francisco, California Public Records

The City of San Francisco's website complements these resources with information on local land use regulations, zoning requirements, and the process for obtaining permits and licenses for property-related activities.

Registration requires either a California driver's license or ID number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. Those who are 16 or 17 can pre-register if they'll turn 18 by Election Day. The city holds municipal elections in odd-numbered years for mayor, the Board of Supervisors (11 district seats), city attorney, district attorney, treasurer, sheriff, and other citywide offices. Mayoral elections occur every four years (2019, 2023, 2027), while supervisors serve staggered four-year terms. The next municipal election arrives November 4, 2025, when five supervisor seats will be on the ballot. San Francisco uses ranked-choice voting for mayor, supervisors, and other citywide offices, allowing voters to rank up to three candidates in order of preference. Local ballot measures addressing city ordinances, charter amendments, and bond issues appear frequently on these ballots. Voters can find their assigned polling place, vote center, or ballot drop box location through the Department of Elections website at sfelections.org/tools/pollingplacelocator or by calling the department directly. California operates as a vote-by-mail state, meaning all registered voters automatically receive mail ballots approximately 29 days before each election. Voted ballots can be returned by mail (postmarked by Election Day), deposited in official drop boxes through 8 PM on Election Day, or delivered in person to voting centers or the Department of Elections office. In-person voting is available at the City Hall Voting Center beginning 29 days before Election Day and at neighborhood voting centers during the final days before and on Election Day. In the November 2024 presidential election, San Francisco County reported approximately 456,000 ballots cast from 508,000 registered voters, representing roughly 90% turnout. Local voters supported Democratic candidates overwhelmingly, continuing the area's progressive voting patterns. On November 3, 2026, residents will decide several significant races: California's gubernatorial election (Governor Gavin Newsom's term expires), all 80 California State Assembly seats (the city includes portions of Districts 17 and 19), State Senate District 11 (covering the entire city), and various county offices including sheriff, assessor-recorder, district attorney, and city attorney depending on term expirations. No U.S. Senate seat from California is scheduled for election in 2026 (next in 2028). County offices such as Superior Court judges may also appear on the ballot. Public election records in California include voter registration files (with address and party affiliation public but date of birth and driver's license number confidential), campaign finance reports searchable through the San Francisco Ethics Commission at sfethics.org and the California Fair Political Practices Commission at fppc.ca.gov, candidate statements and filings available at sfelections.org, and precinct-level election results published after certification. The Department of Elections provides historical election results, maps of supervisor districts and precincts, and voter registration statistics through its website. California allows permanent vote-by-mail status, which all voters now receive automatically, and offers accessible voting options including curbside voting, voting at home with remote accessible vote-by-mail, and assistance at voting centers.