THIS WEEK AT THE VOICE FOR THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2026
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by Mike Ege
Editor in Chief, The Voice of San Francisco
With the June election barely over, San Francisco’s next campaign season is already underway. Signature gatherers were back on the streets, stirring controversy as campaigns prepare measures for the November ballot.
In the Sunset, activist Selena Chu claimed volunteers collecting signatures for a ballot measure to restore limited vehicle access to the Upper Great Highway were prevented from gathering at the Sunset Night Market by former Supervisor Joel Engardio. Engardio denied the allegation, saying he merely had a friendly conversation with one of the volunteers about repairing a mural near the Ortega library. Organizers of the Night Market have not yet commented.
Meanwhile, JJ Smith got video showing a signature gatherer in the Tenderloin allegedly offering street folks $2 to $3 per signature for ballot petitions, including for repeat signings that would be invalid. We get the feeling that already beleaguered Department of Elections staff may endure some headaches verifying some of those signatures.
Ironically, the petitions involved charter reform measures backed by Mayor Daniel Lurie and funded by prominent brahmins, including Michael Moritz. Among other changes, the measures would raise the number of signatures required to qualify future initiatives for the ballot.
November will also bring regularly scheduled Board of Supervisors elections in the city’s even-numbered districts. Voters in Districts 2 and 4 will return to the polls despite having just participated in special elections that produced decisive victories for appointed incumbents.
There is some speculation that voters could face another special election, this time in District 9. Supervisor Jackie Fielder has been on temporary health leave since March, a period that coincided with controversy over the leak of confidential City Attorney advice regarding Mayor Lurie’s RESET Center initiative. Although Fielder is expected to return to the Board at the end of June, rumors persist that she may still quit, as she originally threatened to do in March. One narrative floating around Goodlett Place is that she took leave to mollify Progressive collegaues, but still wants to resign.
Those rumors have circulated widely enough that political observers, including Beyond Chron publisher Randy Shaw, have publicly discussed the possibility of a District 9 special election this November. Shaw says multiple insiders have suggested Fielder may not return, though he acknowledges that recent election outcomes have demonstrated the limits of insider predictions.
Even if Fielder resumes her duties, could she face a recall? Shortly after she took leave, RecallFielder.com and a related social media campaign appeared online. While no formal recall petition has been filed at the Department of Elections, it’s been gathering support. Leaders of the Inner Mission Neighborhood Association have encouraged members to sign on, arguing that residents are frustrated by what they see as insufficient attention to neighborhood concerns and a lack of effective representation.
“At a time when residents are looking for strong, effective leadership, the absence of meaningful representation and decisive action is unacceptable,” says a statement sent to us by IMNA president, Francesca Pastine. Lucy Junus, the group’s vice-president, told us “We are very frustrated by the ongoing issues that are ignored by the supervisor.”
The website attracted enough attention that Mission Local followed its paper trail, describing the group behind it and several other websites addressing policy issues around the region, Americans for Opportunity, as “mysterious.” The effort’s principal organizer, Jackson Peterson, appears to have emerged as a new political figure. With roots in San Francisco and now living in the East Bay, Peterson has rapidly gone from volunteering on camapaigns in 2004 into operating issue-oriented political websites through an organization called Preston Public Affairs.
Spokesperson Seneca Scott says Peterson represents “a new generation entering politics with an entirely new set of tools, and many are throwing traditional political consulting models—and their costs—out the window. What once required tens of thousands of dollars, countless hours of research, and a team of consultants can now be accomplished with a few hundred dollars, an AI toolkit, and a little creativity… AI’s role in politics is still being defined, but one thing is already clear: it is empowering ordinary people who lack access to the vast funding and institutional advantages of the political establishment.”
Check out links to our latest content below, or just bookmark our homepage to see the latest.
Top News
CRIME
SNAP-to-Cash: How food assistance vouchers were traded for cash at the Heart of the City Farmers’ Market
by Ben Landau-Taylor and Dan Clemens Posch
The purchased vouchers are then turned in to the farmers’ market organizers and reimbursed by check as though they had actually been received in legitimate transactions. The whole transaction takes place in clear view, only a few yards from the Market Match tent and the security guard.
EDUCATION
School board is asked to adopt a ban on student cell phone use without discussion
Superintendent acknowledges no time for community discussion, vows to get input this fall
by John Trasviña
TRANSPORTATION
Inner Sunset study proposes Muni and street safety improvements
Transportation planners recommend bike, pedestrian, and transit improvements.
by Jerold Chinn
Quote of the week
“So if you are a seller, now’s your chance to benefit from AI investors and workers spreading their wealth. If you are a buyer without AI connections, good luck.”
—John Zipperer on the Artificial Intelligence is wracking the housing market, in “Flip or flop? Bay Area housing is hot again, thanks to AI”
Nomi toon
In Case You Missed It
NEWS
Haney bill aims to expedite adoption of animals rescued from abuse
Bill passes Assembly after amendments; now goes on to state Senate
by Mike Ege
OPINION
How ideology left our kids at the back of the line
From a bird’s eye view, America’s public education is being hollowed from within.
by Liz Le
A&E
‘The Tramp’at CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts
A playful reimagining of Charlie Chaplin’s iconic ‘Tramp’
by Sharon Anderson
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EVENTS
Out and about June 18–24, 2026
What to do this weekend and beyond
By Lynette Majer
Managing Editor, The Voice of San Francisco
Thursday, June 18
The iconic Redwood Room has always been the place to be and enjoy, and tonight, acclaimed jazz vocalist and storyteller Sacha Boutros will perform in “Redwood Room After Dark.” 7 p.m., select Thursdays through Aug. 13.
Friday, June 19
Today is National Martini Day, conveniently falling at the end of the workweek. A few establishments acknowledging the day are RM12, Top of the Mark, and Wilder, (which is offering a martini flight), and I’m sure there will be many others throughout the city.
Saturday, June 20
Today is the first day of the Dragon Boat Friendship Races, featuring first-time paddlers to experienced teams displaying coordination, discipline, and collective effort on the water. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Lake Merced through Sunday. Free viewing.
Grab the kiddos and the doggos and head down to the Marina Green for a Fun and Fitness Fest, with dog agility courses, puppy yoga, vendor booths, and lotsa fun for all. Bonus: pet adoptions! 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Little Marina Green. Free admission.
The Native Contemporary Arts Festival, a treasured Father’s Day tradition now in its 27th year, celebrates the creativity of indigenous peoples and features music, dance, spoken word, visuals artists, vendors, and art activities. Noon to 3 p.m. on the Great Lawn at Yerba Buena Gardens. Free admission; RSVP here.
Don’t miss the 72nd annual North Beach Festival, where you will find over 200 vendors offering arts, crafts, jewelry, and more; gourmet food trucks and wonderful restaurants; beer gardens; live entertainment; interactive art activities; Italian street painting (Madonnari), and of course, the ever-popular Blessing of the Animals. Filbert to Broadway streets, Stockton Street to Grant Avenue. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Sunday. Free admission.
TILT: Midnight Sun celebrates the summer solstice in a celebration of light featuring Mosaic Strings, performing arrangements from popular film, television, and pop following summery appetizers and spritzers.7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Grace Cathedral. Tickets from $40.
Join the festivities of the fourth annual Juneteenth Parade celebrating strength, freedom, and unity. There will also be block parties featuring dancing, games, giveaways, and more, including a waterfront celebration at the parade’s end. 11 a.m. to noon from Market and Second street to the Embarcadero Plaza. Free, RSVP here.
Sunday, June 21
The Presidio Half Marathon is scheduled today, so whether you’re participating or traveling through the area, there’s a 10K, 5K, and a Sunday Stroll 5K (puppers welcome). All who register can enjoy the post-race pancake breakfast and beer garden, and every registration helps The Guardsmen send an underserved kid to camp. 8/8:30/9 a.m. Starts/ends Crissy Field. Tickets from $57.
Appointment in Mendocino is a staged reading about three adult siblings who gather at their parents’ house to try to find their mother and father, in their 90s, who have mysteriously vanished, only to discover Mom has decided to drive herself across the country for a special appointment in Mendocino. 4 p.m. at the Magic Theatre. Free admission; tickets here.
What dad doesn’t like BBQ, especially one with a view and music? Space is filling up fast for the Father’s Day BBQ over at Fort Baker. Enjoy spice-rubbed organic chicken and grilled marinated tri-tip with all the traditional sides, vegetarian and vegan options, and a kiddo menu. Noon to 3 p.m. at Cavallo Point (Callippe Terrace). Tickets from $34. Brunch/lunch from $10; dinner from $30.
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