SF Elections Director Awaits Lawmakers On Special Election

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- While the California state legislature has yet to decide on having a special election in June, the San Francisco Department of Elections has been left hanging.

KCBS' Barbara Taylor Reports:

Elections Director John Arntz told KCBS that he is ready to plan the next election, but he can't get going until the legislature decides whether to hold a special June election on state tax extensions.

"As we go further and further into March and approach April, we're really getting to a point where when the statewide election is called it's going to be a hardship for the counties to get everything together," said Arntz.

For example, the law mandates that overseas voters get their ballots 60 days before an election, and it's already too late for that. In fact, the deadlines have passed for the controller's financial statements, ballot simplification meetings and ballot arguments.

This week, the supervisors approved deadline extensions, but Arntz said preparations will still be a challenge.

"We've now got more concern that the vendors might not be able to print the ballots, we're concerned about the printers doing the voter guides so we can get those in the mail in time for the election," said Arntz.

San Francisco has three local measures that would go on the June ballot if the legislature eventually does decide to schedule an election.

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