Meet the first-time campaigners for Proposition L

The third door that 16-year-old Rowan Gleser knocked on was abruptly slammed in Gleser’s face.

“I can’t believe you rang my doorbell twice on a Sunday afternoon,” Glaeser remembers the man behind the door saying. “I vote against everything you campaign for.”

This was one of the first election campaigns among the students of the International High School, and the cold response was unpleasant. But Glaeser said they were supported by the community of people behind the volunteer-led Yes on L campaign.

Amid the deluge of detailed election news, it’s easy to forget that many San Franciscans like Glaeser are becoming politically active for the first time. Some of them, including a Canadian transplant, a disability advocate and a Reno native who gave up his car, rallied around Position Lwhich would tax ride-hailing and autonomous vehicle companies to fund Muni.

Glaeser can’t vote, but has a “personal interest” in the campaign: Like many young people, Glaeser relies on Free Muni for Youth to get to school and knows the 21st and 6th lines could be cut if there will be no funding. there.

So Glaeser began spreading the word to friends—and even teachers—who turned out to be surprisingly “ignorant,” Glaeser said. But the path forward is not without obstacles.

Sometimes a high school student is upset by “misleading” attack ads. At Prop. L has a direct competitor in Position Mwhich restructures the taxes of businesses such as ride-hailing companies. Proposal M will invalidate Proposal L if it receives more votes.

Glaser takes comfort in the resilience of his fellow volunteers.

When Glaeser first met Lian Chang, one of four transit advocates who are leading the Prop. L, Chang appeared on her bike with a Prop button maker. L, hidden in a holster on the side. Their mood, Gleser recalled, instantly improved.