Prior to each election, the Department invites representatives from campaigns, political parties, the Civil Grand Jury, the League of Women Voters, other committees and organizations, members of the media, and interested members of the public to join the Official Observer Panel.

The Department hosts an introductory meeting approximately one month before each election to provide an opportunity for panelists to learn about the Department, learn more about the observation process, and learn about mechanisms for providing feedback to the Department on election processes and procedures.

To serve on the Official Observer Panel, please complete and submit the Observer Panel Application (PDF). Once we receive your application, we will send you more information and an official invitation to join the Panel.

Before each election, the Department prepares a schedule to show when, where, and how members of the public can observe specific election activities.

Calendar of Observable Activities
September 14, 2021, California Gubernatorial Recall Election

Before Election Day
Activity	Details	Time	Location
Voter Outreach Presentations	Contact Matthew Selby (415) 554-4376 for details, time, and location
Logic and Accuracy Testing
	Testing of ImageCast Central (ICC) Scanners and other media devices	August 4–12, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.	City Hall, Rm 48
	Testing of ImageCast Evolution Ballot-Scanning Machines	August 17–27, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.	Warehouse, Pier 31
	Testing of ImageCast X Ballot-Marking Devices	August 9–16, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.	Warehouse, Pier 31
Poll Worker and Field Support Training	Contact Matthew Selby (415) 554-4376 for details, time, and location
Voting Center	Any voter may vote or drop off their vote-by-mail ballot at the City Hall Voting Center beginning 29 days before the election.	August 16– September 14, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. September 4–5 and September 11–12, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.	City Hall, in front of Rm 48
Vote-by-Mail Ballot Processing
	Sorting, scanning, and verifying signatures on vote-by-mail ballot envelopes in preparation for ballot counting. (Streamed on sfelections.org/live)	As early as August 3, following transmission of ballots to military and overseas voters, until complete	City Hall, Rm 48
	Opening of vote-by-mail ballot envelopes, ballot extraction, ballot scanning in preparation for tabulation. (Streamed on sfelections.org/live)	August 23 until complete	City Hall, Rm 48
	For activity on a specific day, contact Matthew Selby (415) 554-4376.
Ballot Adjudication and Remake	WWhen ballots contain valid votes, including cases in which a ballot has been irregularly marked, torn, bent, or otherwise damaged and unreadable, the Department reviews and adjudicates these ballots. When necessary, ballot remake is conducted.	August 23 until complete	City Hall, Rm 48
Ballot Drop-Off Stations	Any voter may return their vote-by-mail ballot to any of San Francisco’s official ballot drop-off stations.	September 11–12, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. September 13, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.	For locations, visit sfelections.org/ballotdropoff
Mock Election Day Support Center	An internal practice of logging and resolving inquiries and issues in a simulated environment similar to Election Day. (Streamed on sfelections.org/live)	September 11, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.	Rm adjacent to City Hall café

On Election Day
Activity	Details	Time	Location
Voting Centers/ Polling Places	The City Hall Voting Center and 588 polling places are open to local voters who wish to register to vote or vote in person, use accessible voting equipment, receive personal assistance, or return their vote-by-mail ballots.	Election Day, September 14, 7 a.m.–8 p.m.	For locations, visit sfelections.org/MyVotingLocation
Ballot-Drop Off Stations	Any voter may return their vote-by-mail ballot to any of San Francisco’s official ballot drop-off stations.	Election Day, September 14, 7 a.m.–8 p.m.	For locations, visit sfelections.org/ballotdropoff
Election Day Support Center	Provides support to poll workers and dispatches in-person assistance to polling places when needed. (Streamed on sfelections.org/live)	5:30 a.m. to approximately midnight	Rm adjacent to City Hall café
Processing Center	Receives voted ballots, rosters of voters, and other materials from polling places.	Begins after 8 p.m. and continues until all polling place materials have been received	Warehouse, Pier 31
Data Collection Center	Receives memory cards from polling places.	Begins after 8 p.m. and continues until all polling place memory cards have been received	City Hall, McAllister St. entrance
Election Night Results Reporting	Results are available on sfelections.org/results San Francisco Government Television – SFGTV, Channel 26	First preliminary results released at approximately 8:45 p.m. with updates released at approximately 9:45 p.m. and 10:45 p.m.	City Hall, North Light Court

After Election Day
Activity	Details	Time	Location
Processing and Tabulation	Ballots include vote-by-mail ballots that voters returned to polling places and drop-off stations, and that the Department received in the mail within seven days of Election Day; vote-by-mail ballots that were timely remedied by voters; provisional ballots; and ballots with write-in votes. For activity on a specific day, contact Matthew Selby (415) 554-4376 (Streamed on sfelections.org/live)	Continues until all ballots have been counted and the results are certified (no later than October 14)	City Hall, Rm 48
Results Reporting after Election Night	The Department holds press briefings and posts updated results on its website on any day ballots are tabulated.	Daily at approximately 4 p.m.	sfelections.org/results
Canvass	An internal audit of the election to ensure the accuracy of results.	September 16, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. beginning September 17, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. except Sundays and holidays	Warehouse, at Pier 31
1% Manual Tallies	Random selection of precincts and batches for manual tallies. (Streamed on sfelections.org/live)	September 23, 11 a.m.	City Hall, Rm 48