How Columbus will implement Issues 8 and 9
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Columbus voters made a resounding statement in last week's election that they wanted to change how City Council members are elected. Now, the current council needs to put those changes in place.
Why it matters: Columbus is moving to a system of direct representation, expanding council and redrawing districts in the process.
Catch up quick: Voters overwhelmingly passed Issue 8 and more narrowly passed Issue 9, two charter amendments that enact a system of "ward" style representation.
- Issue 8 enacted district-only voting for the existing nine members.
- Issue 9 did the same, while adding four at-large seats and triggering a redrawing of districts.
How it works: The new-look council will go through a transition period over the coming years.
- In 2027, five current council seats are up for election along with two additional at-large seats.
- In 2029, the four other current seats will be up for election along with two more at-large seats. A new district map will debut for this election.
By 2030, the expanded 13-member council will be complete.
What's next: Before voters see anything new, council is working to quickly assemble an independent redistricting commission, says Council Member Rob Dorans, the Finance and Governance Committee vice chair.
- That commission will help guide the redrawing of district lines.
- Dorans hopes to open commission applications within a month, with members needing to be appointed by next March.
Between the lines: Another Issue 9 change means the districts are more flexible by population — the permitted difference between the largest and smallest districts expands from 1% to 7.5%.
- That change resulted from feedback from Black community leaders.
- They've raised concerns that no current districts have a majority of Black voters, and Dorans says the loosened percentage will allow the commission to "keep neighborhoods together."
Plus: Issue 9 also lowered the required signatures for district candidates from 250 to 150.
- At-large candidates will still need 250.
What we're watching: Council and supporters of both issues say they don't conflict and will be enacted in conjunction.
- Dorans says he hasn't heard "anything formal" since Election Day that would change that.