Observe the Election Process
Transparency is a key component of free, fair, and functional elections. To that end, the Department of Elections welcomes members of the public to observe its operations and offer feedback.
We offer a variety of observation opportunities:
- Watch election processes in-person at the Department’s office and warehouse, or via live streams
- Take a tour of the Department of Elections
- Join the Official Observer Panel for an in-depth view of our operations
To help potential observers familiarize themselves with election processes and observation guidelines, the Department publishes an Observer Guide. The November 8, 2022 Consolidated General Election Observer Guide (PDF) includes observer rights and responsibilities, as determined by the California Secretary of State and California Elections Code, and a description of observable activities that take place before, on, and after Election Day.
For more information about observation opportunities, contact us through our contact form or call us at (415) 554-4375.
Calendar of Observable Activities and Live Streams
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
November 8, 2022, Consolidated General Election
| Before Election Day | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Activity | Details | Time | Location |
| Voter Outreach Presentations | Contact Matthew Selby (415) 554-4376 for details, time, and location | ||
| Designation of Letters for Ballot Measures Video recording |
Designation of Letters to identify each local measure that will appear on the ballot. | August 15, 11 a.m. | City Hall, Rm 48 |
| Random alphabet drawing Video recording |
The resulting order of letters is used for determining the order of candidates' names on the ballot. CAEC sections 13111(e) and (i), and 13112 Random Alphabet Selection Results (PDF) |
August 18, 11 a.m. | City Hall, Rm 48 |
| Proponent and opponent argument drawing Video recording |
Selection of official proponent and opponent arguments if more than one proponent’s or opponent’s argument are submitted. | August 18, 2 p.m. | City Hall, Rm 48 |
| Logic and Accuracy Testing Live stream 1 Live stream 2 |
|||
| Testing of ImageCast Central (ICC) Scanners and other media devices | September 26 – until complete | City Hall, Rm 48 | |
| Testing of ImageCast Evolution Ballot-Scanning Machines | September 30 – October 14, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | Warehouse, Pier 31 | |
| Testing of ImageCast X Ballot-Marking Devices | September 26 – October 14, 9 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. | October 11–November 7, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. October 29-30 and November 5–6, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. |
City Hall, in front of Rm 48 |
| Vote-by-Mail Ballot Processing Live stream coming soon |
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| Sorting, scanning, and verifying signatures on vote-by-mail ballot envelopes in preparation for ballot counting. | October 11 until complete | City Hall, Rm 48 | |
| Opening of vote-by-mail ballot envelopes, ballot extraction, ballot scanning in preparation for tabulation. | October 14 until complete | City Hall, Rm 48 | |
| For activity on a specific day, contact Matthew Selby (415) 554-4376. | |||
| Ballot Adjudication and Remake Live stream coming soon |
When 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. | October 28 until complete | City Hall, Rm 48 |
| Official Ballot Drop Boxes | Any voter may return their vote-by-mail ballot to any of San Francisco’s official ballot drop boxes. | October 10 – November 8 | For locations, visit sfelections.org/ballotdropoff |
| Mock Election Day Support Center Live stream coming soon |
An internal practice of logging and resolving inquiries and issues in a simulated environment similar to Election Day. | November 5, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Rm adjacent to City Hall café |
| On Election Day | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Activity | Details | Time | Location |
| Voting Center/ Polling Places | The City Hall Voting Center and 501 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, November 8, 7 a.m.–8 p.m. | For locations, visit sfelections.org/MyVotingLocation |
| Official Ballot Drop Boxes | Any voter may return their vote-by-mail ballot to any of San Francisco’s official ballot drop boxes. | Election Day, November 8, 7 a.m.–8 p.m. | For locations, visit sfelections.org/ballotdropoff |
| Election Day Support Center Live stream coming soon |
Provides support to poll workers and dispatches in-person assistance to polling places when needed. | 5:30 a.m. to approximately midnight | Rm adjacent to City Hall café |
| Processing Center Live stream coming soon |
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 at: -sfelections.org/results -Department of Elections, City Hall, Room 48 -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 |
| Ballot Processing and Tabulation Live stream coming soon |
Ballots include vote-by-mail ballots that voters returned to polling places and official ballot drop boxes, 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 |
Continues until all ballots have been counted and the results are certified (no later than December 8) | 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. | In front of Rm 48 and on sfelections.org/results |
| Canvass Live stream coming soon |
An internal audit of the election to ensure the accuracy of results. | November 10 until complete but no later than December 8, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. | Warehouse, at Pier 31 |
| 1% Manual Tallies Random Selection Live stream coming soon |
Random selection of precincts and batches for manual tallies. | November 18, 9 a.m. | City Hall, Rm 48 |
| 1% Manual Tallies Live stream coming soon |
Manual count of ballot cards from random selection. | November 19 until complete but no later than December 8, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. | Warehouse, at Pier 31 |
Official Observer Panel Application
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.
