Happy Spring! As we welcome longer days and the fresh energy of the season, we look forward to new opportunities to connect with our community, raise awareness about election programs, and work together in our shared commitment to promote voter registration and civic participation.
In this edition of our newsletter, we’re excited to share opportunities to support our Go Green campaign, address common misconceptions about voter registration eligibility, highlight resources available to our outreach partners, and more. There's something for everyone—let's dive in!
Join the Go Green Campaign!
Earth Day is April 22. In the spirit of Earth Day, we invite you to support our efforts in helping San Francisco voters go green by stopping postal delivery of the Voter Information Pamphlet.
By law, we must mail the Pamphlet to each voter unless they choose to stop mail delivery and access it online. By making the switch to a digital copy, voters can help conserve resources and reduce city costs.
For households with multiple voters, all but one voter can opt out of the mailed Pamphlet, allowing the household to share a single copy. Voters can also opt back in at any time if they prefer a mailed copy.
Making the switch is quick and easy — voters can submit their request at sfelections.gov/voterportal or by calling us at (415) 554-4375!
Currently, nearly 60,000 out of 528,900 local voters opted out of receiving their Pamphlet in the mail. Let’s work together to grow this number this Earth Day!
To learn more about the impact of producing a Voter Information Pamphlet for each election, watch this video.
Election Topic Spotlight: Voter Registration - Facts vs. Misconceptions
Understanding voter registration eligibility is essential for maintaining a fair and inclusive electoral process. At outreach events, we always emphasize that voter registration is open to many and simple to complete, making it easy for eligible residents to participate in elections. In this edition, we will clarify three common misconceptions about voter registration eligibility.
Misconception 1: People without a fixed residence cannot register to vote.
Fact: People without a fixed address can still register to vote. If someone is experiencing homelessness, they can list the place where they spend most of their time—such as cross-streets, a local park, or a shelter—as their home address on the registration form. They can also use a shelter or a service center to receive election mail.
Misconception 2: People with past felony convictions are not eligible to register to vote.
Fact: In California, people can register and vote after they finish their prison sentence. If someone is on parole, probation, or other supervised release, they can still register and vote. However, people who are currently in prison for a felony cannot vote. Once they are released, their right to vote comes back automatically, but they must register to vote again.
Misconception 3: People without a driver’s license cannot register to vote.
Fact: A person does not need a driver’s license to register to vote. People can provide a California state ID number or the last four digits of their Social Security number on their registration form. If they do not have these, they can still register and show another form of ID when voting, like a recent utility bill, bank statement, or a government document showing their name and address.
Resources for Our Outreach Partners
Our website, sfelections.gov, is a valuable resource for our outreach partners, offering information on voter registration, ways to vote, accessibility services, language assistance, and more. Available in English, Chinese, Filipino, and Spanish, it remains a trusted source of election information.
The Voter Outreach page, www.sf.gov/voter-outreach-info, serves as a one-stop resource for organizations working to keep their communities informed and engaged in the electoral process. This page includes:
- Voter Education Materials – Flyers, posters, and presentations to share election information.
- Request Forms – Options to request voter education materials, schedule presentations, or invite election staff to events.
- Community Newsletter – A monthly publication featuring election updates and opportunities for collaboration.
We also encourage you to explore Voting Made Simple, a new presentation available on this page. It provides an overview of voter registration, translated materials, accessibility options, and ways to stay connected year-round.
Although no elections are scheduled this year, staying informed now ensures you’ll be ready to vote when the time comes. We invite you to make full use of these resources!
Spring 2025 High School Elections Ambassador Program Is Here!
To encourage youth civic engagement, our Outreach Team facilitates the High School Elections Ambassador Program every spring and fall. The Spring 2025 program is currently underway, and we have been actively promoting participation in this initiative to empower students to become civic leaders in their communities.
As Elections Ambassadors, students develop outreach plans and host outreach events, educating their peers about the importance of voting and assisting classmates in pre-registering or registering to vote. Their enthusiasm and dedication are truly inspiring, and we are excited to share some of their reflections:
“I helped teens pre-register to vote. It was inspiring to see my peers recognize the importance of their vote, even before they could cast it. This experience has been a meaningful opportunity for young people, encouraging them to be more aware of their rights and privileges.”
“During my time as an SF Elections Ambassador, I not only felt a sense of pride and accomplishment in my work to educate and assist others, but I also gained a newfound appreciation for America’s democracy.”
Year after year, our Elections Ambassadors make a lasting impact on their communities, helping shape the next generation of informed and engaged voters.
If your organization is interested in partnering with us to promote youth engagement initiatives, we’d love to hear from you!
Insights From Our Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee
We continually collaborate with our advisory committees to refine our language access programs and improve voting accessibility for all communities.
Last month, we held our first Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee (VAAC) meeting of 2025. During this meeting, we reflected on the accessible services and programs from the last election, discussed outreach efforts to organizations serving residents with disabilities, and outlined plans and priorities for 2025, focusing on enhancing both the accessibility and usability of voting systems.
We deeply value the insights from our committee members, as their contributions are instrumental in shaping a voting environment that is inclusive and user-friendly for everyone.
If you're interested in learning more about our advisory committees or wish to join us in our mission to improve voting access, please visit sfelections.gov/committees.
Where We Have Been This Month
Our Outreach Team has been actively engaging with communities throughout the city, empowering residents with the knowledge and tools necessary to exercise their voting rights. Here are some highlights from our recent events!
Information and Resource Conference
Engaged with the community to raise awareness of accessible voter resources
District Court Judicial Special Ceremony
Assisted newly naturalized citizens with voter registration
Restorative Justice Leadership Summit
Connected with community partners serving individuals in the criminal justice system
Until Next Month
As we conclude this month's Outreach Community Newsletter, we invite you to share any topics you'd like us to explore in future editions.
We look forward to reconnecting with you next month! Until then, stay well and enjoy the spring season!
Warmly,
Your Outreach Team: Nataliya, Anmarie, Adriana, Tiff, Max, and Edgar