by Jessica KwongEarly voting for the Nov. 4 election -- which includes a little-contested gubernatorial race but a hotly contested local state Assembly showdown and a dozen local measures -- will begin Monday, the San Francisco Elections Department has announced.
Also next week, the department will send out nearly 225,000 ballots to residents permanently registered to vote by mail.
Already, the department has begun mailing nearly 425,000 voter information pamphlets, which include details on local candidates, ballot measures, instructions and sample ballots.
Registered voters who wish to cast their ballots early can do so at the Elections Department in Room 48 at City Hall starting Monday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, except on the Oct. 13 Columbus Day holiday. Weekend voting will take place Oct. 25-26 and Nov. 1-2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with entry to the department on Grove Street.
People who wish to vote by mail can request a ballot online at www.sfelections.org/vbm, by calling (415) 554-4375 or by visiting the Elections Department. Vote-by-mail applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. Oct.28.
Voters who want materials in Chinese or Spanish can also visit www.sfelections.org for more information. The Elections Department said that starting next year, such information will be available in Filipino as well, after The City this year certified it as a required language.
Some highlights of the election include the Assembly District 17 race between Supervisors David Campos and David Chiu; the Proposition E sugary beverage tax; Proposition G, which proposes an anti-speculation fee on residential property purchases; and the Proposition J $15 minimum wage.
Incumbent Gov. Jerry Brown is highly favored to win another term.