Could the Council consider different election systems, such as a from-district election system or a combination of district-based and at-large members?

The Vallejo City Council voted to transition from an at-large election system to a district-based election system on July 9, 2019, after its at-large system was challenged as being in violation of the California Voting Rights Act. A district-based system definitively cures a CVRA violation.

Combination systems that combine at-large election systems with district-based election systems are considered at-large elections and subject to a CVRA challenge. Additionally, from-district election systems where members reside in districts but are voted upon by the entire jurisdiction are also considered at-large elections and subject to CVRA challenges.

Because the City of Vallejo transitioned to a district-based election system to avoid a costly CVRA lawsuit, reverting to a combination election system or a from-district election system is not a viable option.