1988 – Roy Williams and Marvin Crenshaw file a federal voting rights lawsuit, contending that the city's election system dilutes minority voting strength. The Ledbetter Neighborhood Association, representing Hispanic residents, joins the plaintiffs. Since 1975, the city had used an 8-3 system under which the mayor and two City Council members ran citywide and eight others ran in single-member districts.

1989 – Voters approve a 10-4-1 election system, which provides for 10 single-member districts and four regional seats, with the mayor elected at large. Most minorities oppose it, and the U.S. Justice Department does not approve the plan. Elections are not held under it.

1990 – Federal Judge Jerry Buchmeyer strikes down the city's 8-3 election system. Voters narrowly defeat a 14-1 plan.

1991 – Both sides agree to settle the lawsuit, and elections are held under a 14-1 plan, in which only the mayor is elected citywide and 14 council members come from single-member districts. Since then, the 14-1 system has elected more minority council members in each election than were ever elected under the 8-3 system.

SOURCE: Dallas Morning News research