What sets San Rafael apart from the rest of the County with regard to an at large mayor as opposed to a rotating mayor? What benefit to the City transition to 5 districts and rotating mayor vs current to 4 districts and at large mayor?

The Mayor’s office in San Rafael is elected pursuant to Article VI, Section 2 of the City’s Charter, which was approved by the voters in 1912.  Other cities in Marin County governed by general state law, rather than by a charter city; however, general law cities may also put a measure before their voters to have a separately elected mayor.  Generally speaking, the larger the city, the more likely it is that the city will have a separately elected mayor, although there is no formal size requirement.