On November 4, 2025, California will conduct a Statewide Special Election in which voters will decide on Proposition 50, a legislatively referred constitutional amendment (ACA 8, Chapter 97, Statutes of 2025 – Rivas. Congressional redistricting).
Under the California Constitution, the Citizens Redistricting Commission is tasked with adjusting the boundaries of congressional, Senate, Assembly, and State Board of Equalization districts once every decade, in the year following the national census.
Proposition 50 would temporarily override the authority of the Citizens Redistricting Commission with respect to congressional districts. Specifically, it would require California to use the district boundaries adopted in Assembly Bill No. 604 of the 2025–26 Regular Session for all congressional elections until the commission next redraws district boundaries in 2031.
This special election was officially called on August 21, 2025, when Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill No. 280, which set the election date and procedures.
Voter Registration
You can use the online Voter Portal to check your registration status and make sure your information is up to date.
October 20, 2025, is the last day to register to vote and still receive a ballot in the mail.
Eligible residents can register online, at the Department of Elections office in City Hall, Room 48, or by contacting the Department to request a paper registration form.
After October 20, eligible residents can still register and vote in person at the Department of Elections office or at a polling place on Election Day.
Where to Find Information about this Election
Visit the California Secretary of State’s website, which provides a page dedicated to the 2025 Statewide Special Election.
Voters can visit the California State Assembly’s Committee on Elections page to review the proposed congressional districts for the Statewide Special Election.
In September 2025, the Secretary of State will mail the Voter Information Guide with details about this election.
By October 6, 2025, the Department of Elections will mail a local Voter Information Pamphlet & Sample Ballot to all registered San Francisco voters.
The Department of Elections’ Outreach Team is available to conduct educational presentations, facilitate voter registration, and host resource tables. To invite the Outreach Team, submit a request or call (415) 554-4375.
Ways to Vote
Vote by Mail
Ballots will be mailed to all registered San Francisco voters around October 6, 2025.
You may return your voted ballot by mail. To be counted, your ballot must be postmarked by Election Day and received by the Department of Elections no later than seven days after Election Day.
Drop Off Your Ballot
Starting October 6, you may drop off your ballot at any official California drop box through Election Day. There will be 37 official drop boxes in San Francisco.
You may also return your ballot at any California voting site or polling place on Election Day, between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Accessible Vote-by-Mail System
Starting October 6, any registered voter may get a ballot through the accessible vote-by-mail system. Voters can use assistive technology (screen readers, sip-and-puff devices, head-pointers, etc.) to mark ballots. Completed ballots must be printed and returned by mail or in person.
Vote in Person
You may vote early at the Voting Center in City Hall, in front of Room 48.
Early voting begins on October 6 and continues through Election Day, November 4.
- Monday–Friday: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (except October 13 holiday)
- Weekend of November 1–2: 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
- Election Day, November 4: 7:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
On Election Day, 100 polling places will be open throughout San Francisco, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Helpful Resources
Learn more about early voting at the Voting Center in City Hall, Room 48.
See the map of the official ballot drop box locations in San Francisco.
Find your polling place, get directions, and check wait times for each location.
Learn about accessible voting services, including the Ballot Delivery and Pickup Program for voters who are hospitalized, homebound, or otherwise unable to travel to an in-person voting site.
Voter Forms
Voter Oath and Ballot Return Form. Use this form if you are a military or overseas voter returning your ballot by fax, or if you are using your own envelope to return your voted ballot.
Ballot Pick-up Authorization Form. Use this form to authorize someone to pick up a ballot from the Department of Elections at City Hall and deliver it to you.
Emergency Ballot Delivery Request Form. Use this form to request emergency ballot delivery, pickup, or emergency voting assistance from the Department of Elections.
Tracking Your Ballot
You can use the Voter Portal to see when your ballot is mailed and confirm when it’s been accepted for counting. If there’s an issue with your ballot envelope—such as a missing signature—the portal will alert you and provide instructions for how to resolve the issue.
You can also sign up for automatic email, text, or phone updates using the Where’s My Ballot tool.
Election Results
The Department of Elections will release local preliminary results on Election Night, November 4, at 8:45 p.m., and will continue to update results throughout the canvass period following Election Day.
Final local election results will be certified and released on December 2, 2025. All local results reports will be published at sfelections.gov/results.
Statewide election results will be available on the California Secretary of State’s website.
Key Dates
- October 6, 2025 – Vote-by-mail ballot packets arriving to mailboxes; in-person voting begins at the Voting Center in City Hall, in front of Room 48; 37 ballot drop boxes open in San Francisco
- October 20, 2025 – Voter registration deadline (to receive a ballot by mail)
- November 4, 2025 – Election Day, 100 polling places open in San Francisco from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- November 4, 2025 – First preliminary local election results released by the Department at 8:45 p.m.
- December 2, 2025 – The Department of Elections certifies and releases final local election results.
Need Assistance?
The Department of Elections is here to help. Whether you have questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, accessible services, or anything else related to the election, we’re ready to assist you.
You can contact us by phone at (415) 554-4375, by email, or by visiting our office at City Hall, Room 48.
Language assistance is available in Chinese, Spanish, Filipino, and other languages.