Push for San Francisco voters to hit the polls Tuesday
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - KTVU – Campaigns are working hard in San Francisco, as Election Day nears on Tuesday.
There is a big push in San Francisco for voters to make their voices heard on serious ballot measures.
“The turnout for Tuesday’s election is critical,” Supervisor Eric Mar said.
Mar took to the streets in the city’s Richmond District with supporters of Prop I and Prop F.
Proposition I would impose a moratorium on housing in the Mission District. Supporters say a temporary pause on luxury housing is needed.
“The Richmond is in danger like the Mission is because there’s massive displacement and evictions and the Richmond is second only to the mission in terms of just cause of evictions that have been happening over the last few years,” Mar said.
Opponents of Prop I argue that if you want affordable housing, you can’t stop housing development. They said blocking homes from being built will only make matters worse and more expensive.
Proposition F would regulate short-term rentals in the city like Airbnb.
Wendy Aragon, President of the Richmond District Democratic Club feels the regulations are greatly needed.
“I understand people use Airbnb to stay in their homes, but there’s a lot more people who are not registered to the city, building owners are Ellis-ing out people, evicting tenants and then making huge illegal hotels,” she said.
Opponents have built a strong push for residents to vote no on this measure.
“Prop F is not a solution to the problems we face in San Francisco,” Nicole Derse, a general consultant to the Vote No on Prop F campaign.
Derse believes regulating short term rentals takes away a person’s right to share their home.
“Proposition F is wrong for San Francisco,” she added. “There was already legislation that just went into effect. We need to give it a chance to work.”
The one thing both sides agree on is the importance of residents showing up to the polls on Tuesday.