Following the social upheavals of the 1960s, San Francisco became one of the centers of progressive activism, with Democrats, and progressives dominating city politics. This continuing trend is also visible in the results of presidential elections; the last Republican to win San Francisco was Dwight Eisenhower in 1956. Although the fight between Democrats and Republicans has been unequal for the last forty years, it has become increasingly lopsided, with conservative commentators frequently attacking the city's politics using the ad hominem phrase, "San Francisco values".^[1] In spite of its heavy liberal leanings, San Francisco has the highest percentage of "no party preference" voters of any California county as of November 2012.^[2] Campaign corruption is monitored by the San Francisco Ethics Commission and violations result in fines up to $5,000 per violation.

In the California State Senate, San Francisco is in the 11th Senate District, represented by Democrat Scott Wiener. In the California State Assembly, it is split between the 17th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Matt Haney, and the 19th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Phil Ting.^[4]

In the United States House of Representatives, San Francisco is split between two congressional districts. Most of the city is in the 11th District, represented by Nancy Pelosi (D–San Francisco). A sliver in the southwest is part of the 15th District represented by Kevin Mullin (D–South San Francisco).^[5] Pelosi served as the House Speaker from January 3, 2019, to January 3, 2023, a post she also held from 2007 through 2011. She has also held the post of House Minority Leader, from 2003 to 2007 and 2011 to 2019.

The city is governed by a mayor and an 11-member Board of Supervisors, both elected using preferential voting. The current mayor is London Breed.

In the city, a progressive/moderate divide has become the organizing principle of local politics. While the specific policy differences between the two sides are widely disputed, the progressive/moderate formulation remains salient in the local media and in the deep network of political clubs and mutual endorsements that help determine elections.^[6]

• Total Registration and Turnout
  • November 6, 2018^[12]
    • Registration 500,516
    • Turnout 345,806
  • June 5, 2018^[13]
    • Registration 481,991
    • Turnout 253,583
  • November 8, 2016^[14]
    • Registration 513,573^[15]
    • Turnout 414,528
  • June 7, 2016^[16]
    • Registration 468,238
    • Turnout 264,993
  • November 3, 2015^[17]
    • Registration 446,828
    • Turnout 203,069
  • November 4, 2014^[18]
    • Registration 436,019
    • Turnout 231,214
  • June 3, 2014^[19]
    • Registration 435,757
    • Turnout 129,399
  • November 5, 2013^[20]
    • Registration 440,037
    • Turnout 128,937
  • November 6, 2012^[21]
    • Registration 502,841
    • Turnout 364,875
  • June 5, 2012^[22]
    • Registration 470,668
    • Turnout 145105

• Gerald Ford assassination attempt in San Francisco