Meet the first-time campaigners behind Prop. L

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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,” the person behind the door said, Glaser recalled. “I’m voting against whatever you’re campaigning for.” 

It was one of the International High School junior’s first times canvassing, and the cold response was jarring. But, Gleser said, the community of people behind Yes on L, a volunteer-led campaign, buoyed them. 

Amid the onslaught of granular election news, it’s easy to forget that many San Franciscans like Gleser have become politically active for the first time. Several of these — including a transplant from Canada, a disability advocate, and a Reno native who has given up their car — have rallied behind Prop. L, which would tax ride-hailing and autonomous vehicle companies to fund Muni. 

Gleser can’t vote, but has a “personal stake” in the campaign: Like many young people, Gleser relies on Free Muni for Youth to get to school, and knows that the 21 and 6 lines could be cut if funding isn’t there. 

So Gleser has stepped up to spread the word to friends — and even teachers — who turn out to be surprisingly “uninformed,” Gleser said. But the path forward is not without roadblocks. 

Sometimes, the high schooler is saddened by “misleading” attack ads. Prop. L has a direct competitor in Prop. M, which would restructure the taxes of businesses like ride-hailing companies. Prop. M will nullify Prop. L if it receives more votes. 

Gleser takes solace in the fortitude of fellow Prop. L volunteers.