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How Columbus City Council could change after Election Day

The difference between Issues 8 and 9 and how we got here.

News

Columbus voters will decide two overlapping, yet different proposed charter amendments on Tuesday&#x27;s ballot.Why it matters: City council will function differently if either — or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="both" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/08/20/columbus-city-council-reform-november-election" data-vars-content-id="b8f04ce5-c8a8-4c78-9927-a944847c4740" data-vars-headline="How Columbus City Council could change after Election Day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/08/20/columbus-city-council-reform-november-election" target="_self">both</a> — of the proposals are passed by residents.<ul><li>The change would move Council toward direct &quot;ward&quot; style representation after years of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increasing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/10/27/columbus-city-council-district-7-tiara-ross-jesse-vogel" data-vars-content-id="b8f04ce5-c8a8-4c78-9927-a944847c4740" data-vars-headline="How Columbus City Council could change after Election Day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/10/27/columbus-city-council-district-7-tiara-ross-jesse-vogel" target="_self">increasing</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="criticism" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/elections/local/2024/11/14/columbus-city-council-accepting-applicants-for-upcoming-vacancy-shayla-favor-district-7/76293529007/" data-vars-content-id="b8f04ce5-c8a8-4c78-9927-a944847c4740" data-vars-headline="How Columbus City Council could change after Election Day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/elections/local/2024/11/14/columbus-city-council-accepting-applicants-for-upcoming-vacancy-shayla-favor-district-7/76293529007/" target="_blank">criticism</a>.</li></ul>

Where to shop local for groceries in Columbus

From community classics to international markets, there are plenty of local grocery alternatives.

Does the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increasingly corporate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/30/kroger-albertsons-merger-trial" data-vars-content-id="de7e0c22-b132-41c9-aa7f-06fbbe1fb631" data-vars-headline="Where to shop local for groceries in Columbus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/30/kroger-albertsons-merger-trial" target="_self">increasingly corporate</a> world of grocery stores give you pause? Consider shopping local at a store you hadn&#x27;t previously visited. Why it matters: Grocery conglomerates are expanding, dabbling in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="surveillance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/10/30/kroger-giant-eagle-surveillance-aelp" data-vars-content-id="de7e0c22-b132-41c9-aa7f-06fbbe1fb631" data-vars-headline="Where to shop local for groceries in Columbus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/10/30/kroger-giant-eagle-surveillance-aelp" target="_self">surveillance</a> and profiting on your data — local shops just sell you produce.

Voters approve Columbus City Council election changes 

Nine Columbus City Council members will now be elected exclusively by their residential districts.

Columbus voters approved a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pair of city charter amendments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/11/03/columbus-city-council-election-day-issue-8-9" data-vars-content-id="2a4119fe-049b-4fe4-8b94-f44d2d0c9b45" data-vars-headline="Voters approve Columbus City Council election changes " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/11/03/columbus-city-council-election-day-issue-8-9" target="_self">pair of city charter amendments</a> Tuesday that will change how council members are elected, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unofficial results" data-vars-click-url="https://vote.franklincountyohio.gov/elections" data-vars-content-id="2a4119fe-049b-4fe4-8b94-f44d2d0c9b45" data-vars-headline="Voters approve Columbus City Council election changes " 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> from the Franklin County Board of Elections that showed 100% of precincts reporting. Why it matters: The amendments mean nine Columbus City Council members will now be elected exclusively by their residential districts and four new at-large members will be added in the coming years.

Weekend picks: Halloween parties around Columbus 

Parties for ravers, stargazers, kids and fashionistas.

Things to Do

It&#x27;s the last weekend of October — spend it in a costume.Our pick: Find a Halloween party.

Ohio is the epicenter of data center pushback 

More than 20 Ohio communities voted against data centers on Election Day.

Voters across the country reaffirmed that data center construction projects are one of the most <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unpopular topics in politics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/11/04/ai-data-center-election-slowdown" data-vars-content-id="67fc53da-b9a8-4574-bc9c-5c8627d6a80e" data-vars-headline="Ohio is the epicenter of data center pushback " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/11/04/ai-data-center-election-slowdown" target="_self">unpopular topics in politics</a> — and nowhere shot them down more prolifically Tuesday than Ohio.Why it matters: As Democrats and Republicans seek answers for what helped and hurt their parties in Election Day&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;blue tsunami,&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/11/04/midterm-takeaways-blue-wave-trump-democrats" data-vars-content-id="67fc53da-b9a8-4574-bc9c-5c8627d6a80e" data-vars-headline="Ohio is the epicenter of data center pushback " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/11/04/midterm-takeaways-blue-wave-trump-democrats" target="_self">&quot;blue tsunami,&quot;</a> voter pushback to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/10/22/ohio-data-centers-election-policy-husted-brown-acton-ramaswamy" data-vars-content-id="67fc53da-b9a8-4574-bc9c-5c8627d6a80e" data-vars-headline="Ohio is the epicenter of data center pushback " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/10/22/ohio-data-centers-election-policy-husted-brown-acton-ramaswamy" target="_self">data centers</a> has proven to be a bipartisan concern.

Columbus 2026 voter guide: Key races, ballot issues and deadlines

Here's what to know about your ballot in Columbus and Franklin County.

Election

The Nov. 3 general election is fast approaching, so here&#x27;s what to know about your ballot in Columbus and Franklin County. <h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">🗳 How to vote </h2>The big picture: Early in-person voting continues through Sunday, Nov. 1.

Data centers take center stage in Ohio elections

The unpopular developments are shaping national, statewide and local races.

Development

From statewide races to local candidates and issues, Election Day in Ohio will be a referendum on data centers — one of the most divisive issues in American politics.Why it matters: Ohio has been a Republican stronghold for a decade, but as the state <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="emerges" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/06/02/data-center-opposition-ohio-dewine-tax-breaks" data-vars-content-id="1369a635-f287-4b76-9cf4-7421abd14550" data-vars-headline="Data centers take center stage in Ohio elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/06/02/data-center-opposition-ohio-dewine-tax-breaks" target="_self">emerges</a> as a data center hot spot, the unpopular projects are influencing both parties in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="competitive" data-vars-click-url="https://maristpoll.marist.edu/polls/midterm-elections-in-ohio-october-2026/" data-vars-content-id="1369a635-f287-4b76-9cf4-7421abd14550" data-vars-headline="Data centers take center stage in Ohio elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://maristpoll.marist.edu/polls/midterm-elections-in-ohio-october-2026/" target="_blank">competitive</a> races.

Ramaswamy faces expanding blowback over Acton attack ad

Politicians and commentators from both sides of the aisle have been critical.

As Vivek Ramaswamy <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="doubles down" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/21/ramaswamy-ad-acton-mother-ohio" data-vars-content-id="1c441c31-61c6-4851-a87e-95688fe6855e" data-vars-headline="Ramaswamy faces expanding blowback over Acton attack ad" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/21/ramaswamy-ad-acton-mother-ohio" target="_self">doubles down</a> on his controversial ad attacking Amy Acton, backlash has grown to include Democrats, Republicans and political commentators across the country.Why it matters: Ohio&#x27;s gubernatorial race is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="projected" data-vars-click-url="https://maristpoll.marist.edu/polls/midterm-elections-in-ohio-october-2026/" data-vars-content-id="1c441c31-61c6-4851-a87e-95688fe6855e" data-vars-headline="Ramaswamy faces expanding blowback over Acton attack ad" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://maristpoll.marist.edu/polls/midterm-elections-in-ohio-october-2026/" target="_blank">projected</a> to be a tight one — Ramaswamy&#x27;s ad is garnering enough negative attention that it could affect the result.

Husted and Brown battle for high-profile Senate seat

The Ohio race may determine control of the Senate next year.

All eyes are back on Ohio as Republican Sen. Jon Husted seeks to fend off former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in a race with big implications for the years ahead.Why it matters: The race may determine control of the Senate, and a good showing from Brown could return Ohio to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="swing-state status in 2028" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/13/2028-map-swing-states-democrats-red-conservatives" data-vars-content-id="c39cc54a-ee35-47fd-8254-962aa8c3b283" data-vars-headline="Husted and Brown battle for high-profile Senate seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/13/2028-map-swing-states-democrats-red-conservatives" target="_self">swing-state status in 2028</a>.

Columbus maps public land with an eye on housing

A new land inventory identifies 66 square miles of publicly owned and tax-exempt land.

Columbus has created its first-ever inventory of every square mile of public and tax-exempt land, which local leaders hope to use to spur development and housing projects.Why it matters: Columbus has $500 million in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bond funds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/11/05/columbus-city-council-tiara-ross-bond-issues-election-results-2025" data-vars-content-id="02025c8e-6ca0-4f93-a4e9-5c718bdad317" data-vars-headline="Columbus maps public land with an eye on housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/11/05/columbus-city-council-tiara-ross-bond-issues-election-results-2025" target="_self">bond funds</a> to help tackle a regional <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing crisis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/05/19/ohio-affordable-housing-gap-cost" data-vars-content-id="02025c8e-6ca0-4f93-a4e9-5c718bdad317" data-vars-headline="Columbus maps public land with an eye on housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/05/19/ohio-affordable-housing-gap-cost" target="_self">housing crisis</a>. Better planning and knowledge of available space can help those funds go further.

Ohio suspends gas tax for 90 days

Drivers should expect savings to start this weekend.

Gov. Mike DeWine on Thursday approved a three-month suspension of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state gas tax" data-vars-click-url="https://tax.ohio.gov/business/motor-fuel-tax" data-vars-content-id="39c4ef05-9db6-4428-8918-4e739583e6f3" data-vars-headline="Ohio suspends gas tax for 90 days" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tax.ohio.gov/business/motor-fuel-tax" target="_blank">state gas tax</a>.Why it matters: Ohio gas prices <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="remain high" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/08/04/columbus-gas-prices-are-climbing-again" data-vars-content-id="39c4ef05-9db6-4428-8918-4e739583e6f3" data-vars-headline="Ohio suspends gas tax for 90 days" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/08/04/columbus-gas-prices-are-climbing-again" target="_self">remain high</a>, but the tax holiday gives relief of 38.5 cents per gallon of gas and 47 cents for diesel.

Why Ginther wants to increase Columbus' rainy day fund

The mayor aims for $140 million in the fund by 2032. Here's what the fund is for.

Amid broad <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="economic uncertainty" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/16/diesel-export-ban-problem-gas-prices" data-vars-content-id="209d8461-900f-45db-875f-d8bd55eb15e1" data-vars-headline="Why Ginther wants to increase Columbus&#x27; rainy day fund" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/16/diesel-export-ban-problem-gas-prices" target="_self">economic uncertainty</a>, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther wants to save tens of millions more for the city&#x27;s rainy day fund.Why it matters: In good times, a rainy day fund may seem like a large pool of unused funds — but without it, city services and essential operations are at risk and Columbus has less financial leverage.

Politics 🇺🇸

Ohio is the epicenter of data center pushback

Ohio's voter ID amendment could have lasting consequences

Voters approve Columbus City Council election changes

How Columbus City Council could change after Election Day

Columbus 2026 voter guide: Key races, ballot issues and deadlines