COLUMBUS, Ohio — The way Columbus City Council operates is about to undergo a big change. In 2018 voters decided to switch from a fully at-large system to a hybrid at-large system that created nine council districts and expanded council by two seats.
The November election will be the first time they choose their councilmembers under the new system.
The hybrid at-large system means council members have to live in the district they represent.
However, voters will see all nine districts on their ballots and will vote for candidates in every one of them.
"I think the biggest thing is you will have someone who is living in your neighborhood, someone who is acutely aware of your issues," In-House Counsel to Columbus City Council Niyah Walters said. "The districts provide a representative who lives in your district, who is going to represent you, but you still have access to all nine members. So I think that's kind of the biggest change."
The districting map shows some districts are geographically larger than others. Walters says the district lines were drawn based on population.
"The charter prescribes that the largest cannot be larger than the smallest district by more than one percent. So, each district is roughly 100,638 people," Walters said. "I think it's also important to note this process will happen every ten years. So, even if people continue to move into these districts, you won't see a change in the map until that 10-year process, which is in line with the census similar to what you see at the state and federal level."
The council members' terms will also be staggered. Five will serve four-year terms. Four will serve two-year terms so there is overlap.
The new district system will officially take effect when the election winners take office in January of 2024.
You can find more information on the Columbus City Council Residential Districts here https://www.columbus.gov/districts/