A special recall election will take place in San Francisco later this year. On Thursday, the Department of Elections certified a recall petition against District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio. Of the 10,985 signatures submitted, 95.8% were deemed valid, giving organizers more than enough to trigger a recall.
The election will take place on September 16. Only District 4 voters will participate. The district spans 19th Avenue to the Pacific Ocean and from Golden Gate Park to Lake Merced Boulevard. It includes the neighborhoods of Central and Outer Sunset; Parkside and Outer Parkside; Pine Lake Park; Lakeshore; Merced Manor; and Farallon Islands.
The Highway Gamble That Sparked a Recall
Recall efforts are often driven by a buildup of cumulative frustrations. In this case, the trigger is much more specific — Engardio's support for a 2024 ballot measure that permanently closed a two-mile stretch of the Upper Great Highway and converted it into a park.
Prop K passed with over 55% of the vote citywide, but it was overwhelmingly rejected by voters in District 4. Opponents of Prop K say the closure has disrupted commutes, increased gridlock, and put pedestrians at risk.
Engardio’s critics say he failed to gather input from constituents before introducing the measure and voting to place it on the ballot. At the very least, they believe the measure should have been limited to District 4 voters, not the entire city.
Engardio has acknowledged the traffic concerns, but stands by his support for Prop K.
“Change is hard, and even more so when climate change is forcing our hand,” said Engardio, as quoted by the San Francisco Standard. “I understand that Sunset Dunes represents a tough change for some in our community, but early data is clear: The park is supporting the rehabilitation of the coastal dunes, it’s bringing new customers to local businesses, and it’s providing a popular space for generations of people to enjoy walking, biking, and nature.”
Engardio says he’s confident that the recall effort will fail. If it succeeds, his replacement will be chosen by Mayor Daniel Lurie. That person would serve out the remainder of Engardio’s term, which ends in January 2027.