City of Columbus

OVERVIEW
For more than a century, Columbus City Council operated in a fully at-large system. In 2018, Columbus voters decided to change that, opting for a hybrid at-large districting system that will create nine residential districts and expand Council from seven to nine seats.

FIND YOUR DISTRICT
This November, Columbus voters will experience this system for the first time at the polls. A hybrid at-large system means Councilmembers must live in the district they represent, but the entire city votes on each candidate, as they will still have access to every elected member. To find your district, click here and put in your address.

TERM STRUCTURE
Once elected, the City Clerk ensures that terms are staggered. At the first Council meeting in 2024, the City Clerk will divide Council districts into two classes by drawing lots. Lot A will be 5 districts and Councilmembers from those districts will serve a four year term until 2028. Lot B will be 4 districts and Councilmembers from those districts will serve a two year term until 2026. This will result in the staggering of terms for the future.

HOW DID WE GET HERE?
This historic change to the Council system was put in place by voters in 2018, and means every part of our city will receive better representation on issues affecting you and your neighbors. In 2021, the Council Residential Districting Commission was appointed and charged with creating district maps that Council would vote on and choose a final map that would be the official Columbus District Map. You can find the videos of the past Commission meetings here.