As August comes to a close and the first signs of fall appear—darker mornings, the arrival of local apples and pears at farmers’ markets, and that familiar autumn air—we look ahead to a new season of outreach.
This fall, as we expand our efforts across the city, we continue to count on our community partners to help inform and engage residents, ensuring that everyone has the resources and encouragement they need to participate in the upcoming elections.
In this edition of the newsletter, we highlight key dates and information for the upcoming Statewide Special Election, share updates on our initiatives to engage students and youth across San Francisco, and feature our Community Partner Spotlight on the GLIDE Center for Social Justice.
We hope you find this issue informative and encourage you to share these resources within your networks!
California Calls Statewide Special Election for November 4, 2025
On November 4, 2025, California will conduct a Statewide Special Election, following Governor Gavin Newsom’s signing of legislation that officially called the election. Because the election was called only 75 days in advance, the Department of Elections immediately began preparations. From contacting poll workers and polling place providers to drafting election materials and planning outreach and staffing logistics, our office has quickly moved into full operational mode to ensure this election is administered efficiently, transparently, and in compliance with all legal requirements.
A dedicated page with information about the 2025 Statewide Special Election is now available on our website. We encourage you to review it and reference it in your outreach efforts. We will also be connecting with our community partners to provide educational presentations, facilitate voter registration, and host resource tables, all with the goal of encouraging voter participation in the upcoming election.
Community partners are also welcome to reach out to us directly to invite the Outreach Team to their events by calling (415) 554-4375 or by using our online Event Request Form.
Key Dates and Voting Options for the November 4 Election
Here’s what San Francisco voters need to know when preparing to participate in the election.
Voter Registration
With the Statewide Special Election approaching, now is the perfect time for voters to visit the Voter Portal to double-check their registration status or make updates if needed.
Keeping your registration current ensures your ballot is mailed to the right address on time!
Residents who still need to register can do so online at registertovote.ca.gov or by submitting a paper registration form.
Voters registered by October 20 will automatically receive a ballot in the mail. After that date, eligible residents may still register and vote in person, either at the Voting Center in City Hall or at their polling place on Election Day.
Voting by Mail
All registered voters will automatically receive a ballot in the mail in early October. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by Election Day and received within seven days to be counted.
Ballot Drop-Off Options
Starting October 6, voters can drop off completed ballots at any of the 37 official drop boxes in San Francisco or return them at any California polling place on Election Day.
Accessible Voting at Home
The Accessible Vote-by-Mail system will also be available beginning October 6. This system allows voters to download and mark their ballots with assistive technology such as screen readers and then print and return them by mail or in person.
Voting in Person
The Voting Center at City Hall, in front of Room 48, opens on October 6 and will remain open through Election Day.
On Election Day, 92 polling places will also be open citywide from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. A full list of locations and accessibility details will be available in September on sfelections.gov.
Where to Find Information about the November 4 Election
Here’s where voters can find clear, trustworthy election information:
- The San Francisco Department of Elections has a 2025 Statewide Special Election webpage with information and resources about this election. Our team is also available to answer questions by phone or in person at the office.
- The California Secretary of State’s website includes a page dedicated to the 2025 Statewide Special Election.
- The California State Assembly’s Committee on Elections page features the proposed congressional districts.
- In September 2025, the Secretary of State will mail the official Voter Information Guide to households statewide.
- Around October 6, 2025, the Department of Elections will mail all registered San Francisco voters a local Voter Information Pamphlet & Sample Ballot.
Back to School Youth Civic Engagement
As the new school year begins, our Outreach Team looks forward to connecting with students across the City to share information about pre-registration and other opportunities for youth civic engagement. This fall, we are offering several programs for San Francisco students, including the Fall 2025 High School Elections Ambassador Program and the Fall 2025 Pre-Registration Card Design Contest, while also introducing new materials such as the “Get Ready to Vote” educational presentation.
Fall 2025 Elections Ambassador Program
This fall, San Francisco high school students once again have the opportunity to become Elections Ambassadors! Conducted from September 15–26, the program is open to all students in grades 9–12—whether attending public, private, or home school.
The program begins with a hands-on training workshop, where students will learn about pre-registration and receive the tools and materials they need to lead their own voter outreach events. Each Ambassador will also be paired with a Department of Elections mentor for guidance and support throughout the program.
Over the two weeks, Ambassadors will develop outreach plans, design promotional materials, and share voter education with their classmates and communities.
The program wraps up with a Celebration Ceremony at City Hall, where we’ll recognize the students’ work, for the most creative outreach and the most registration forms collected and present each Ambassador with a participation certificate signed by the Mayor of San Francisco.
Fall 2025 Pre-Registration Card Design Contest
We’re excited to announce the launch of the first-ever Pre-Registration Card Design Contest, beginning September 29th! This contest offers San Francisco high school students a chance to showcase their creativity while making a meaningful contribution to civic life.
Open to all students in grades 9–12, the contest invites participants to design a new image for the Department’s pre-registration information card. Distributed at outreach events, this card helps raise awareness and encourages San Francisco youth to pre-register to vote.
For contest details, visit our 2025 Pre-Registration Card Design Contest webpage.
We look forward to seeing the creativity and imagination our students bring to this exciting contest!
“Get Ready to Vote” Educational Presentation
We created a new civic engagement opportunity for elementary and middle school students—the “Get Ready to Vote” presentation.
This short presentation introduces students to elections and voting in a simple and engaging way. They’ll learn who can vote, how voting works, and why it matters.
For more information on the Department’s youth civic engagement opportunities, visit High school student programs | SF.gov or call (415) 554-4375.
Partner Spotlight: Erick Arguello and GLIDE Center for Social Justice
In this edition, we are featuring one of our most active and longstanding outreach partners who has spent more than twenty years educating and supporting some of San Francisco’s most vulnerable and hard-to-reach residents. Meet Erick Arguello, Advocacy Manager at the GLIDE Center for Social Justice.
Through grassroots organizing, community education, civic engagement, and policy development, Erick and the GLIDE Center for Social Justice team encourage residents to work together to create a better community. In partnership with the Department of Elections, Erick and the team at the GLIDE Center for Social Justice have helped register hundreds of new voters and encouraged voter participation in local elections.
As Erick shared, "We are very thankful to partner with the Department of Elections. It is an opportunity to work towards our common goal of reaching hard to reach low-income, houseless, and communities of color to increase voter participation. Ultimately lifting everyone's voice....."
We are grateful for our partnership with Erick and the GLIDE Center for Social Justice and look forward to continuing to work together to educate the community and encourage more San Franciscans to register and VOTE!
Where We Have Been This Month
From farmers’ markets to street fairs, our Outreach Team has been busy connecting with communities across San Francisco! We’ve enjoyed talking with residents, answering questions, and sharing resources to help everyone stay vote-ready. Each event has been full of energy, great conversations, and true community spirit—and we’re excited for the next stop on our journey through the City.
Here are a few highlights from our recent outreach efforts:
Mo' Magic 2025 National Night Out
Provided voter registration assistance to residents
Mo'MAGIC's 2025 Back to School Celebration
Assisted voters with opting out of paper voter pamphlets
2025 Pistahan Street Fair and Festival
Promoted language services and programs
Until Next Month
That’s a wrap for this edition! We’ll be back in September with more updates on the Statewide Special Election and highlights from our work in the community.
Until then, soak up the last of summer and have a wonderful Labor Day!
Warmly,
Your Outreach Team: Nataliya, Anmarie, Adriana, Tiff, Max, and Edgar