The Canning Community Alliance (CCA) and Wilson Residents and Ratepayers' Association (WRRA) held a combined meeting on Tuesday at the Braibrise Community Hall, Wilson.
All motions discussed at the meeting were passed unanimously.
The groups' preferred option is to maintain the status quo.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWThe City currently has four wards Mason, Bannister, Nicholson and Beeliar.
CCA co-ordinator Bill Prince said its second preference was a three-ward, 10-councillor option with an elected mayor.
This option would see the Bannister and Nicholson wards combined and Riverton East transferred to the Beeliar ward.
"It was quite clear from the last meeting that the majority of people wanted the status quo maintained," Mr Prince said.
"The reason they objected to that was because Nicholson was under-represented.
"The most democratic solution for the commissioners and the electors is the second preference because it is the closest to the status quo that we've got – it means that the commissioners don't have to change things markedly and it keeps what they want and are more likely to accept. "
The groups' third preference is for five wards with an elected mayor.
Mr Prince said there was no support for any other options.
"We believe the City of Canning has three options stay as you are, adopt the three-ward method or go for the five-ward method."
Ferndale Residents Association president Margaret Adams, who attended the meeting along with about 31 other concerned residents, said most people queried why the review was being rushed.
"The mood of the meeting highlighted the concern that this process of re-jigging our council wards and representation was undemocratic," Ms Adams said.
"The feeling of those in attendance was that we should support the retention of the status quo."
The City's elected council was considering electoral reform three years ago, but the suspension of council in November 2012 disrupted the process.
The Local Government Act requires local governments to carry out the review at least every eight years.
It was last completed in 2006.