COLUMBUS — Columbus voters will weigh two competing charter amendments on Nov. 3 that could overhaul City Council just three years after it expanded to nine members who must live in their districts but are still elected citywide.
Issue 8, placed on the ballot by the resident coalition Our City Our Say, would make the nine existing districts true voting districts, so only voters in a district choose its representative. Issue 9, placed on the ballot by council itself, would also create district voting but would add four at-large seats elected citywide, growing council to 13 members phased in across the 2027 and 2029 elections.
Supporters of district-only voting say it lowers the barrier for candidates without party or establishment backing. Council leaders backing Issue 9 say keeping some at-large voices helps on citywide issues such as housing, and their plan also calls for a citizen commission to redraw district boundaries before the 2029 elections.
If both issues pass, council resolves any conflict between them, which critics say effectively lets Issue 9 prevail. If only Issue 8 passes, district-only voting would use the current map. If neither passes, Columbus keeps electing all nine members citywide. The Franklin County Democratic Party has endorsed both issues, and early voting is already underway ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
