Upcoming election: June 8, 2010 Consolidated Statewide Direct Primary Election
Meetings begin: Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Completion deadline: Monday, March 15, 2010
Meeting agendas and other materials will be available on the Department of Elections website, www.sfelections.org/bsc, and in our office in City Hall, Room 48. Agendas will be posted at least 72 hours prior to the meeting, as mandated by the Sunshine Ordinance. Other meeting materials will be made available as early as possible. Please check often for any updates.
The Ballot Simplification Committee works in public meetings to prepare a fair and impartial summary of each local ballot measure in simple language. These summaries, or “digests,” are printed in San Francisco’s Voter Information Pamphlet, which is mailed to every registered voter before the election.
Each digest must explain the primary purposes and points of the measure, but is not required to include auxiliary or subsidiary information. Each digest must include the following four sections:
• The Way It Is Now
• The Proposal
• A ”Yes” Vote Means
• A ”No” Vote Means
In general, each digest is limited to 300 words. Digests may exceed the 300-word limit if the Committee determines that the complexity or scope of the proposed measure requires a longer digest. In addition, digests must be written as close as possible to the eighth-grade reading level.
The Ballot Simplification Committee also assists the Department of Elections in preparing other informational material for the Voter Information Pamphlet, such as a glossary of the terms that appear in the pamphlet.
The Ballot Simplification Committee is responsible only for the digests, glossary of terms, and certain other informational material in the Voter Information Pamphlet. The City Attorney prepares the ballot questions and the Director of Elections determines the titles of propositions.
The Ballot Simplification Committee must complete its work no fewer than 85 days before the election.
More Information about the Ballot Simplification Committee (PDF)
NOTE: This page will be updated as information is submitted to the Department of Elections. Agendas will be posted at least 72 hours prior to any meeting, as mandated by the Sunshine Ordinance. Other meeting materials will be made available as early as possible. Please check often for any updates.
Film Commission**
FINAL Approved digest-Film Commission (PDF)
Draft digest-Film Commission (PDF)
Legal text, legislative digest-Film Commission (PDF)
BOS file 091429-Film Commission (PDF)
Earthquake Bond Measure**
FINAL Approved digest-Earthquake Bond (PDF)
Updated legislative digest from BOS-Earthquake Bond Measure (PDF)
Request for Reconsideration of Earthquake Bond Measure digest-Office of City Administrator (PDF)
Approved digest-Earthquake Bond Measure (PDF)
Draft digest-Earthquake Bond Measure (PDF)
Legal text, legislative digest-Earthquake Bond Measure (PDF)
Transbay Transit Center**
FINAL Approved digest-Transbay Transit Center (PDF)
Approved digest-Transbay Transit Center (PDF)
Working draft-Transbay Transit Center (PDF)
Draft digest - Transbay Transit Center (PDF)
Legal text-Transbay Transit Center (PDF)
Renters' Economic Relief**
FINAL Approved digest-Renters' Economic Relief (PDF)
Request for Reconsideration-SF Tenants Union (PDF)
Request for Reconsideration-SF Apartment Association (PDF)
Approved digest-Renters' Economic Relief (PDF)
Message to Committee members-reschedule request (PDF)
Reschedule request-SF Apartment Association (PDF)
Draft digest-Renters' Economic Relief (PDF)
Legal text-Renters' Economic Relief (PDF)
Retirement Benefit Costs**
FINAL Approved Digest-Retirement Benefit Costs (PDF)
Approved digest-Retirement Benefit Costs (PDF)
Draft digest-Retirement Benefit Costs (PDF)
Legal text, legislative digest-Retirement Benefit Costs (PDF)
BOS File 100156-Retirement Benefit Costs (PDF)
Budget Line Item for Police Department Security for City Officials and Dignitaries**
FINAL Approved digest-Budget Line Item for Police Department Security for City Officials and Dignitaries (PDF)
Approved digest-Budget Line Item for Police Department Security for City Officials and Dignitaries (PDF)
Draft digest-Budget Line Item for Police Department Security for City Officials and Dignitaries (PDF)
Legal text, legislative digest-Budget Line Item for Police Department Security for City Officials and Dignitaries (PDF)
BOS File 100055-Budget Line Item for Police Department Security for City Officials and Dignitaries (PDF)
School Facilities Special Tax**
FINAL Approved digest-School Facilities Special Tax (PDF)
Approved digest-School Facilities Special Tax (PDF)
Draft digest-School Facilities Special Tax (PDF)
Legal text-School Facilities Special Tax (PDF)
Other Materials for Voter Information Pamphlet
FAQ-revised by BSC (PDF)
FAQ proposed revisions (PDF)
** For identification purposes only; not actual or proposed title
Notices and Agendas
Agenda, March 8-12 (PDF)
Agenda, March 1-5 (PDF)
Notice of Ballot Simplification Committee Meetings for the June 8, 2010 Consolidated Statewide Direct Primary Election (PDF)
