Rules Committee forwards Kelly Wong to the full Board for Elections Commission seat

The committee considered Item 3 to fill one vacancy on the Elections Commission (term ending 01/01/2029). Two applicants spoke: Ruth Kowetz emphasized data, analytics and stakeholder management; Kelly Wong described her community outreach with immigrant voters, language-access outreach, and coalition work with multiracial organizations.

Supervisor Walton and others asked each applicant about efforts to improve voter participation; Kowetz cited experience with polling locations during the pandemic and data-driven outreach, while Wong highlighted multilingual outreach workshops and a Cantonese podcast she produces to explain voting rights.

Public commenters and community organizations including Dolores Street Community Services, Chinese for Affirmative Action, Urban Habitat and other advocates gave vocal support for Kelly Wong’s appointment, citing her language access work and ties to immigrant communities.

Supervisor Safaie moved to appoint Kelly Wong and the committee voted unanimously (Walton, Safaie, Ronan: ayes) to forward her nomination to the full Board as a committee report.