Chula Vista Voters Want More Choice -- Will the City Council Listen?

Half of image shows hand holding an I voted sticker. The other half shows Chula Vista City Hall.
Image created by IVN staff.
Shawn GriffithsShawn Griffiths
Published: 14 May, 2025
2 min read

CHULA VISTA, CALIF. - Voters in Chula Vista are signaling strong support for election reform. A recent independent poll conducted by Competitive Edge Research & Communication and funded by the Independent Voter Project shows that nearly two-thirds of voters support the More Choice Voting measure, a proposed change that would give voters the ability to rank candidates and increase the number of candidates who advance to general elections.

But while support from the public is clear, the same can't be said of the city’s elected leadership.

Running for President as an Independent: How it Really Works

One Mayor, Three Holdouts

Mayor John McCann, a Republican, is the only member of the Chula Vista City Council who has publicly supported More Choice Voting. In his comments during council discussion, he emphasized the need to provide voters with more options and to ensure fairer, more competitive elections.

The rest of the council, composed entirely of Democrats, has yet to back the reform. In fact, during the May 7, 2024, council meeting, members expressed skepticism and declined to advance the measure to the November 2024 ballot. 

For instance, Councilmember Jose Preciado stated, “I have concerns about the complexity of implementing such a system and whether our voters are ready for it.” 

Deputy Mayor Carolina Chavez added, “We need to ensure that any changes to our voting system are thoroughly vetted and understood by the community.” 

Councilmember Michael Inzunza remarked, “While the intent is commendable, we must consider the potential confusion it may cause among our constituents.” 

Councilmember Cesar Fernandez commented, “It's crucial that we prioritize clarity and accessibility in our electoral processes.”

A second companion staff report is available here, which includes additional background on the proposal and public comment summaries. The full agenda and minutes can be accessed via the Chula Vista City Clerk portal.

IVP Donate

This lack of action is surprising given that the League of Women Voters of San Diego, a respected nonpartisan civic organization, endorsed the measure, calling it a way to “strengthen voter choice and reduce polarization.”

The Public Wants Action

Poll results show:

  • 61% of likely voters would vote “yes” on the measure.
  • Support rises to 68% among voters who’ve faced the “lesser-of-two-evils” dilemma.
  • Nearly half of voters say they would be more inclined to vote for a candidate who supports the measure, while only 21% say they’d be less inclined.

The public sentiment is clear: voters want more choice, more voice, and more accountability. With local government trust on shaky ground, the question remains: will Chula Vista’s elected officials follow the voters’ lead?

You Might Also Like

Ranked choice voting's use nationwide.
Ranked Choice Voting Expands Across America in 2025 -- From New York City to Fort Collins
Eighteen U.S. cities and counties have used or are using ranked choice voting (RCV) in 2025 -- including the largest cities in three states: New York City (for its primaries only), Minneapolis, and Salt Lake City....
24 Oct, 2025
-
3 min read
soldiers boarding a plane.
Left Behind: How Runoff Elections Disenfranchise Military and Overseas Voters -- And How We Can Fix It
When Americans serve overseas, they should never have to wonder whether their vote will count. Yet for thousands of service members and U.S. citizens abroad, the very structure of our elections makes that impossible -- especially when it comes to runoff elections....
16 Sep, 2025
-
4 min read
How It Really Works Voter Rights
How It Really Works: Does Your Vote Even Matter?
Imagine showing up to vote in November, proud that you are doing your civic duty, only to learn that the real contest happened six months ago without you. The winner was decided in a low-turnout primary while you were busy living your life. This is not a conspiracy. It is how the system was built. ...
10 Sep, 2025
-
12 min read
broken california map
EXCLUSIVE: California Commissioner Says Lawmakers Gutted Their Funding BEFORE Prop 50
The fate of California’s independently drawn congressional districts will be decided on November 4, when voters weigh in on a legislative gerrymander and the suspension of congressional maps from the state's independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (CRC) under Proposition 50....
08 Oct, 2025
-
8 min read
fl-let-us-vote
Poll Shows Overwhelming Support for Opening Florida’s Primaries to 3.4M Independent Voters
A new statewide poll finds near-unanimous agreement among both Democratic and independent voters that Florida’s primaries should be opened to the state’s 3.4 million “No Party Affiliation” (NPA) voters who are currently shut out of taxpayer-funded elections....
10 Oct, 2025
-
3 min read
Proposition 50 voter guide
California Prop 50: Partisan Power Play or Necessary Counterpunch?
November 4 marks a special election for what has become the most controversial ballot measure in California in recent memory: Proposition 50, which would circumvent congressional districts drawn by the state’s independent redistricting commission for a legislative-drawn map....
01 Oct, 2025
-
9 min read