San Francisco is a ways away from having a new mayor, but the Board of Supervisors has agreed how that person should be chosen.
After hammering out details in Tuesday’s board meeting, the supervisors approved a process for nominating and appointing a successor to Mayor Gavin Newsom. Nominations could be accepted as soon as Dec. 7. Newsom becomes California’s lieutenant governor on Jan 3.
Supervisor Chris Daly, the author of the proposal, said the nomination process and public comment period empowers residents.
“The process maximizes the participation of and enfranchises San Franciscans,” he said. “It’s a process where an appointment of a successor mayor is more likely.”
According to city law, the president of the board becomes acting mayor when the office becomes vacant. A majority of board members decides on someone to serve the remainder of the term.
Under Daly’s proposal, a supervisor may nominate anyone (other than him or herself) at any time before the board votes. Any nominated supervisor must leave the chamber until the nomination is concluded. The board then discusses the nomination and votes until a nominee gets at least six votes. The mayor-designate is escorted back to the chamber by two board members and sworn into office.
The board is trying to expedite the process before four termed-out members — including Daly — leave office on Jan. 8, when newly elected supervisors assume their duties.
