Agency
Ballot Simplification Council
This volunteer group writes summaries of local ballot measures.
About
The Ballot Simplification Council (BSC) writes summaries of local ballot measures. They try to make these summaries short (less than 300 words) and simple (less than 8th grade reading level). We print their final “digests” in the Voter Information Pamphlet.
Feedback to the BSC
You can ask the BSC to reconsider their drafts. You do not need to attend a meeting to do that, but you must make your request no later than 24 hours after we post new drafts. Please include changes you propose and explain your reasoning. You can send a Request for Reconsideration to BSC.clerk@sfgov.org or deliver it to us at City Hall.
BSC membership
The BSC has 5 voting members. Each is a registered San Francisco voter with experience in writing, education, or communications. Two members are appointed by the Board of Supervisors, two members are appointed by the Mayor, and one member is appointed by the Superintendent of San Francisco Unified School District. The City Attorney’s office also attends meetings and writes first drafts but cannot vote.