Election Day Is Almost Here: What SF Voters Need to Know

Photo by Virginia Chien on Pexels

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, and San Francisco voters have several ways to cast their ballots. With one week left, the most useful step is to decide how you will vote and check the details before heading out.

San Francisco's ballot includes federal, state, regional and local contests. Not every voter receives the same district contests, so your own ballot is the place to start.

Whether you're mailing your ballot, using a drop box or voting in person, our guide covers the practical details to check before Election Day.

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High / overnight low °F: Tue Oct 27 64°/51° (becoming sunny; patchy fog late overnight); Wed Oct 28 65°/53° (sunny); Thu Oct 29 64°/53° (partly sunny); Fri Oct 30 59°/53° (mostly sunny); Sat Oct 31 59°/51° (slight chance of rain by day, chance of rain overnight); Sun Nov 1 61°/53° (sunny); Mon Nov 2 63°/— (mostly sunny). Monday night’s low is beyond the current forecast period.

Plan ahead: Bring layers for evening events and recheck Saturday’s rain outlook. NWS lists a coastal flood advisory through Thursday, October 29, at 3 p.m. PDT; check current alerts before waterfront outings.

Source: National Weather Service — San Francisco, forecast updated October 26, 2026, 2:52 p.m. PDT. Background illustration generated with AI.

A New Chapter for the Inner Sunset

Rexall drugstore at Ninth Avenue and Irving Street, photographed August 7, 2009. Photo: Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0 (license). Historical image; no alterations.

For years, Ninth Avenue and Irving Street have been among the Inner Sunset's busiest neighborhood corners. Empty storefronts have also changed the feel of this familiar shopping district.

A combination of new tenants and neighborhood-backed improvements could bring more activity to the corridor, including plans for Mama's Boy Pizza in the former Reliable Rexall space. The pizza shop is targeting mid-2027; it is not open yet.

What makes this effort different is its focus on both incoming businesses and existing merchants — and whether a neighborhood-led approach can deliver lasting results.

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Make a voting plan: Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Use the SF Department of Elections for official voting information, assistance and current instructions.

Thursday family outing: The Ferry Building hosts free trick-or-treating October 29, 5–7 p.m. Crafts and treats are available while supplies last. See event details.

Before you head out: Halloween Hoopla offers a free RSVP for its October 31 celebration. Check the organizer’s page.

Free and Family-Friendly Halloween Celebrations

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Halloween in San Francisco doesn't have to mean expensive tickets or late-night parties. The city has park celebrations, neighborhood activities and family festivals on the calendar.

Scaregrove at Stern Grove is planned for Friday, October 30, while Halloween Hoopla offers a free Saturday option for families with children under 10. Check organizer pages for current details and RSVP options.

Our roundup brings together event times, locations and organizer links so you can choose an outing that fits your family's plans.

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Neighborhood discovery: Explore Ninth Avenue and Irving Street on foot, then browse the independent shops nearby. Our Inner Sunset story explains the storefront changes to watch; announced businesses may still be under construction.

Free family pick: Halloween Hoopla takes place Saturday, October 31, noon–3 p.m., in the Children’s Garden at Yerba Buena Gardens, 799 Howard Street. Performances, crafts and a costume parade are geared toward children under 10 and their adults. Event details and free RSVP.

Can San Francisco’s Downtown Become a Neighborhood Again?

Downtown San Francisco street scene with pedestrians and high-rise buildings. Photo by Josh Hild on Pexels

Downtown San Francisco was built around the workday. When remote work reduced daily foot traffic, restaurants, retailers and street-level businesses felt the effects.

Now the question is bigger than whether office workers will return: can downtown become a place where people spend time on evenings and weekends — or even choose to live?

From vacant storefront pop-ups to housing proposals and public-space improvements, the city's next chapter may look very different from its past.

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Thursday, October 29: Ferry Building trick-or-treating, 5–7 p.m. — details.

Friday, October 30: Scaregrove at Stern Grove, 3–9 p.m. — details.

Saturday, October 31: Halloween Hoopla at Yerba Buena Gardens, noon–3 p.m. — details.

Tuesday, November 3: Election Day. Official voting information.