Rules Committee forwards recall amendment to full board after contested public comment

SAN FRANCISCO — The Rules Committee voted to forward a charter amendment that would extend the ban on filing recall petitions from six to 12 months after an official assumes office and bar interim appointees from running in subsequent elections held within 12 months.

Clerk Victor Young read the third-draft amendment. Supporters said the change provides stability and clarity; opponents during public comment said it would "effectively eliminate" voters' ability to hold officials accountable and urged tabling. Multiple callers including Jordan Davis and Veronica Beard urged the committee to oppose or delay the measure.

Committee members discussed whether the amendment would affect timing for a high-profile recall then on the ballot; the clerk and the city attorney’s office clarified the amendment’s operative date and how it would be interpreted with existing law. Deputy City Attorney Anne Pearson advised that the amendment’s effective date is set to ensure it would not retroactively affect certain recall appointment situations and noted that charter amendments require voter approval.

The committee voted to send the amendment to the full board as a committee report for further consideration; the roll call passed without objection.