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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Columbus. Written by Tyler Buchanan and Alissa Widman Neese.

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A closer look at Ohio's new political maps

The maps are set to be in place for the rest of this decade.

News

Columbus' nightlife is bouncing back

Square transactions after 7pm now exceed pre-pandemic levels.

Columbus sees momentum for local tree growing plan

The city is eyeing over 96,000 potential planting sites.

What makes Ohioans want to stay (and leave)

Axios readers describe the reasons they stayed put or moved away.

What's next for Ohio abortion law

Lawmakers and Ohio's largest abortion services provider are making plans.

Ohio&#x27;s largest abortion services provider and anti-abortion rights lawmakers are turning their attention to what&#x27;s next after the recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="passage of Issue 1" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/08/ohio-abortion-law-vote-election-pass" data-vars-content-id="33c821ab-8eab-45cf-8e64-9b0a67e84c44" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s next for Ohio abortion law" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/08/ohio-abortion-law-vote-election-pass" target="_self">passage of Issue 1</a>.Why it matters: While voters approved the constitutional amendment by a 13% margin, the Nov. 7 vote may not be the final word on legalization.

Ohio's weirdest 2023 General Election results

Alcohol at Cracker Barrel and fun with names.

Every election cycle, once the dust has settled, I search Ohio&#x27;s 88 counties for the most interesting results I can find.<ul><li>Break out the party hats and celebrate the 2023 list:</li></ul>

A quick roundup of Franklin County election results

What happened with Issue 1, Issue 2, the Columbus mayoral race, school levies and more.

Election

Here&#x27;s a smart, fast recap of everything you need to know regarding Tuesday&#x27;s statewide and local elections, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unofficial results" data-vars-click-url="https://vote.franklincountyohio.gov/elections" data-vars-content-id="5fcf904a-265c-40d1-90b3-19c752f6d7a4" data-vars-headline="A quick roundup of Franklin County election results" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://vote.franklincountyohio.gov/elections" target="_blank">unofficial results</a>.

A voter fills out her ballot in Columbus.

Ginther, Motil face off in Columbus mayoral race

Ginther faces his first contested election since 2015.

Next week&#x27;s election marks the first time since 2015 that Columbus has a contested mayoral race on the ballot.Why it matters: Joe Motil&#x27;s challenge is drawing attention to local social issues and forcing Mayor Andrew Ginther to make a public case for a third term.

Illustration of Columbus City Hall with lines radiating from it.

Columbus City Council races feature new districts

Council will now have nine members representing districts across town.

Columbus City Council races will look different on the ballot than in past elections.State of play: As of this election, Council is growing from seven to nine members through the creation of nine districts across town.

Answering questions about Ohio Issue 1

The amendment would enshrine abortion rights into the Ohio Constitution.

By now you&#x27;ve probably seen ads for and against <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Issue 1" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/10/10/abortion-november-election" data-vars-content-id="f7a356f7-f0cb-4c6d-93a3-57cd115b0ebd" data-vars-headline="Answering questions about Ohio Issue 1" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/10/10/abortion-november-election" target="_self">Issue 1</a>, which would enshrine abortion rights into the Ohio Constitution.<ul><li>But some of those arguments have caused confusion among voters. Here are a few questions we&#x27;ve heard:</li></ul>

Ask Axios: Are church political donations legal?

Ohio's abortion rights constitutional amendment is on the November ballot.

The Catholic dioceses in Columbus, Cincinnati and Cleveland <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="have donated a combined $900,000" data-vars-click-url="https://news.ballotpedia.org/2023/07/31/more-than-80-of-contributions-to-campaigns-surrounding-ohio-issue-1-came-from-outside-the-state/" data-vars-content-id="c56b25a3-8afa-4fb7-a905-219d46c94302" data-vars-headline="Ask Axios: Are church political donations legal?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.ballotpedia.org/2023/07/31/more-than-80-of-contributions-to-campaigns-surrounding-ohio-issue-1-came-from-outside-the-state/" target="_blank">have donated a combined $900,000</a> to Protect Women Ohio, an organization campaigning against November&#x27;s abortion rights constitutional amendment, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="known as Issue 1." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/10/10/abortion-november-election" data-vars-content-id="c56b25a3-8afa-4fb7-a905-219d46c94302" data-vars-headline="Ask Axios: Are church political donations legal?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/10/10/abortion-november-election" target="_self">known as Issue 1.</a>This led reader Jason T. to ask: A bedrock principle of this country&#x27;s founding was the separation of church and state. To me, this type of donation crosses that line. Shouldn&#x27;t this donation be taxed, or disqualify the Archdiocese from its tax exemption?

Ohio ballot features recreational marijuana issue

Ohio could join nearly two dozen other states in legalization.

Ohio voters will decide whether to legalize recreational marijuana use for adults on the 2023 general election ballot. Why it matters: Approval would make Ohio the 24th state to have legalized recreational use, superseding a medical marijuana program that has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="been in place and expanding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/07/17/medical-marijuana-access-ohio" data-vars-content-id="faff344b-0752-437e-ac8e-b8e6e7bebcc3" data-vars-headline="Ohio ballot features recreational marijuana issue" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/07/17/medical-marijuana-access-ohio" target="_self">been in place and expanding</a> since 2016.

Illustration of a marijuana leaf on a background with ballot elements.

How to vote early in Ohio's Nov. 7 election

Voters will decide statewide abortion and marijuana issues.

If you want to skip the lines on Election Day, early and absentee voting begins Wednesday for Ohio&#x27;s Nov. 7 general election.Why it matters: Your ballot will feature two contentious statewide issues — a constitutional amendment to guarantee a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="person&#x27;s right to abortion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/10/10/abortion-november-election" data-vars-content-id="3bee9cbf-5630-4b38-b465-978d3bfcc00d" data-vars-headline="How to vote early in Ohio&#x27;s Nov. 7 election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/10/10/abortion-november-election" target="_self">person&#x27;s right to abortion</a>, and an initiated statute to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="legalize recreational marijuana." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/10/10/ohio-ballot-2023-recreational-marijuana" data-vars-content-id="3bee9cbf-5630-4b38-b465-978d3bfcc00d" data-vars-headline="How to vote early in Ohio&#x27;s Nov. 7 election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/10/10/ohio-ballot-2023-recreational-marijuana" target="_self">legalize recreational marijuana.</a>

Illustration of a voting pin surrounded by election form icons

Ohio&#x27;s political mapmakers finally reached consensus last week on new state legislative districts, but our redistricting saga is not over yet.Why it matters: The Ohio Redistricting Commission unanimously approved the new maps, which are expected to be in place for the rest of the decade, barring any successful legal challenges or redistricting reform ballot proposals.

Election 🗳️