Columbus Issues 8 & 9 · Approved November 3, 2026

Issues 8 and 9 passed: how Columbus will elect its City Council

On November 3, 2026, Columbus voters approved Issue 8, a charter amendment placed on the ballot by citizen petition, and Issue 9, a charter amendment referred by City Council, according to unofficial results. Starting with the 2027 elections, each of the nine district council members is elected only by the voters who live in that district, and four new members elected citywide join council in two steps, in 2028 and 2030. A citizen-led commission redraws the district map in 2027, for use from the 2029 elections.

Updated November 4, 2026 · results unofficial until certified, by November 24, 2026

Result

Issue 8 approved · Issue 9 approved

First district-only election

November 2, 2027

Council size

9 today · 11 in 2028 · 13 in 2030

The results

Measure	Yes	No
Issue 8 ✓ ApprovedBy citizen petition	237,17981.8%	52,91018.2%
Issue 9 ✓ ApprovedReferred by Council	162,27357.2%	121,26742.8%

Unofficial results, 562 of 562 precincts reporting, as of November 4, 2026. The county boards of elections certify official results by November 24, 2026.

Citywide totals: the sum of the Franklin, Delaware and Fairfield County boards' election-night unofficial results (the Franklin County Board's unofficial report covers only the Franklin County part of Columbus). The certified citywide totals will replace these after the official canvass. Sources: Franklin County BOE — unofficial results, Franklin County portion (report of Nov. 4, 2026, 12:13 p.m.); Delaware County BOE — unofficial canvass (Nov. 3, 2026, 10:30 p.m.); Fairfield County BOE — unofficial canvass (Nov. 3, 2026, 11:59 p.m.). Issue 8 received 74,906 more yes votes than Issue 9. Results by county are on the Elections page.

What this means. Both amendments take effect. Under Section 42-13 of the City Charter, if Council finds that amendments approved at the same election conflict, the one with the most votes prevails. When it placed Issue 9 on the ballot, Council formally found the two amendments “to not have conflicting provisions” (Ord. 2355-2026, Section 5). Before the vote, some commentary had argued otherwise: a Columbus Dispatch guest column (Oct. 14) said Issue 9 would take effect over Issue 8, and Ohio Secretary of State guidance says whether amendments conflict is a legal question for the courts. The result is the structure Issue 9 describes: nine members elected only by their districts, plus four elected citywide by 2030. The nine current members keep their seats and serve out their terms, and council stays at nine members until January 2028.

What changes, and when

For the 2027 elections

Candidate petitions and residency. District candidates need at least 150 signatures from voters in their district (down from 250) and must have lived in the district for at least one year before the primary. At-large candidates need at least 250 signatures from voters citywide. Filing petitions are due by 4 p.m. on February 3, 2027 (Board of Elections).

Recall

A district member can be recalled only by that district’s voters, by a petition signed by voters equal to at least 15% of the district’s turnout in the last mayoral election. From January 2028, at-large members can be recalled by voters citywide.

By March 1, 2027

Districting commission appointed. An independent, citizen-led commission is appointed to redraw the nine districts.

During 2027

A new map is adopted. Within nine months of its appointment, the commission submits three plans, and Council must adopt one by Dec. 31, 2027. The allowed population gap between districts rises from 1% to 7.5%.

November 2, 2027

The first district-only elections. Districts 2, 5, 6, 8 and 9 are on the ballot, on the current map, and each race is decided only by the voters who live in that district. Voters citywide also elect the first two at-large members. The primary is May 4, 2027.

January 2028

Council grows to 11. The two at-large members take office for four-year terms. Passing an ordinance or resolution takes six votes (it takes five of nine today).

November 2029

The new map is first used. Districts 1, 3, 4 and 7 are on the ballot, with two more at-large seats. Members whose districts are redrawn but who still have at least two years left in their term serve it out representing a newly drawn district.

January 2030

Council grows to 13. Nine members elected by district and four elected citywide. Passing an ordinance or resolution takes seven votes.

Dates and thresholds are from the certified full text of Issue 9, which has the districting commission appointed by March 1, 2027; the Board of Elections’ ballot language says the redraw occurs in 2027. Much news coverage, including WOSU, ABC6 and the Dispatch before the vote and WOSU on election night, has described the redraw as happening in 2028. The Board’s 2027 election schedule was published before the vote and still lists the earlier 250-signature requirement for district candidates, so confirm filing requirements with the Board.

The ballot language voters approved

This is the wording that appeared on the November 3, 2026 ballot, as published in the Board of Elections’ official notices of election. Each issue was a separate yes-or-no question. It is reproduced verbatim as the record of what voters saw, so it keeps its original “proposed” wording.

Issue 8Charter amendment by petition · Approved

This proposed charter amendment would limit the ability to vote for candidates for Columbus City Council to only those electors living within the districts that those candidates seek to represent.
The amendment specifies that ballots within council districts will include both citywide races as well as the district race.
The amendment allows for the initiation of a recall election of a council district representative if a petition is submitted bearing the signatures of the electors of that district in an amount that is at least fifteen (15%) percent of the votes cast within the district in the preceding mayoral election.

Shall the proposed charter amendment be approved?

Official notice of election (PDF) → Full text of the amendment (PDF) →

Issue 9Charter amendment by Council · Approved

This proposed charter amendment would limit the ability to vote for candidates for Columbus City Council to only those electors living within the districts that those candidates seek to represent.
The amendment adds two (2) at-large council representatives to be elected in 2027 and seated in 2028, and an additional two (2) at-large council representatives to be elected in 2029 and seated in 2030. All at-large council representatives will be elected for four (4) year terms.
The amendment includes provisions for transitioning from the current nine (9) member Council to an eleven (11) member Council and then subsequently to a thirteen (13) member Council, allowing for the ongoing staggering of terms.

Show the rest of the ballot language (9 more paragraphs)

The amendment allows councilmembers representing districts whose boundaries are redrawn but who still have at least two years remaining in their term to serve the remainder of their term representing a newly-drawn district.
The amendment specifies that candidates for council district seats must have resided within their district for at least one year prior to the primary election.
The amendment calls for a redraw of the current council district map to occur in 2027, and increases the maximum population variance between districts from 1% to 7.5%.
The amendment updates the vote requirements for expelling and/or removing councilmembers for misconduct, malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance. The amendment updates the expulsion vote threshold for conduct from “six” to “2/3rds,” and the expulsion vote for absences from “three-fifths” to “2/3rds.”
The amendment updates the charter to reflect the minimum number of councilmembers necessary to achieve a quorum for the purposes of meeting for business.
The amendment increases the number of affirmative votes that would be needed to adopt ordinances or resolutions in concert with expanding the size of the legislature.
The amendment specifies that candidates for district councilmember must collect at least 150 signatures of electors from within their district, and that at-large candidates must collect at least 250 signatures of electors from within the city limits.
The amendment specifies that ballots within council districts will include both citywide races as well as the district race.
The amendment allows for the initiation of a recall election of a council district representative if a petition is submitted bearing the signatures of the electors of that district in an amount equal to or greater than fifteen (15%) percent of the votes cast within the district in the preceding mayoral election. The amendment allows for the initiation of a recall election of an at-large representative if a petition is submitted bearing the signatures of the electors citywide in an amount equal to or greater than fifteen (15%) percent of the votes cast within the district in the preceding mayoral election.

Shall the proposed charter amendment be approved?

Official notice of election (PDF) → Full text of the amendment (PDF) →

The two issues, side by side

Issue 8 · Citizen petition (Our City, Our Say)

District-only elections

What it changes

Switches council to district-only elections: only voters who live in a district elect that district’s member.

How you vote from 2027

One district council race on your ballot — your district’s — alongside citywide races such as mayor.

Council size

Doesn’t change the number of seats.

At-large seats

Adds none.

District map

Doesn’t change the map or the redistricting schedule.

Recall

Only a district’s own voters can recall its member. A petition needs signatures equal to 15% of the district’s turnout in the last mayoral election.

Candidate petitions

Doesn’t change them (Issue 9 sets the new requirements).

Council rules

Doesn’t change them.

Result

Approved, 81.8% yes (unofficial results). It qualified for the ballot after the Board of Elections validated 15,945 petition signatures (WOSU). Council passed the ordinance submitting it to voters on Aug. 24, 2026 (Ord. 2354-2026). On Aug. 31 it fixed a drafting error in that ordinance, with no change to the ballot language (Ord. 2451-2026); the Board’s notice cites the Aug. 31 ordinance.

Issue 9 · Referred by City Council

District-only elections plus four at-large seats

What it changes

Makes the same switch to district-only elections for the nine district seats, adds four seats elected citywide, redraws the district map, and updates council rules.

How you vote from 2027

Your district’s race, plus the at-large races, which every voter in the city votes in.

Council size

Grows from nine to 11 in January 2028, then to 13 in January 2030.

At-large seats

Four, with four-year terms: two elected in 2027 (seated 2028) and two elected in 2029 (seated 2030).

District map

Redrawn in 2027. A citizen-led districting commission, appointed by March 1, 2027, has nine months to submit three plans, and Council must adopt one by the end of that year. The new map is first used in the 2029 elections. The allowed population gap between districts rises from 1% to 7.5%.

Recall

The same district-only recall as Issue 8. From 2028, at-large members can be recalled by voters citywide.

Candidate petitions

District candidates need 150 signatures (down from 250) and one year of residency in the district before the primary. At-large candidates need 250 signatures citywide.

Council rules

Expelling a member takes a two-thirds vote. The quorum and the votes needed to pass legislation rise as council grows: five of nine today, six of 11 from 2028 and seven of 13 from 2030.

Result

Approved, 57.2% yes (unofficial results). Council passed the ordinance placing it on the ballot on Aug. 24, 2026 (Ord. 2355-2026); it was introduced by Council President Pro Tempore Rob Dorans.

Council voted 8–0 on Aug. 24 to send each amendment to voters, with Councilmember Melissa Green absent (Ord. 2354-2026, Ord. 2355-2026); according to the Columbus Dispatch, Green had indicated support for both. Dorans said he worked with the City Attorney’s office so that Council’s amendment would not conflict with the citizen petition.

How we got here

May 2018

Voters approve districts

Voters approve Issue 3, expanding council from seven seats to nine and requiring each member to live in the district they represent. All members are still elected citywide (WOSU).

2023

First district elections

All nine district seats are filled for the first time under the new system.

2025

A split result in District 7

Districts 1, 3, 4, and 7 are up. In District 7, Tiara Ross wins the seat by 1,722 votes citywide in the certified results, while challenger Jesse Vogel won 61.8% of the vote in the 79 precincts with more than 5% of their area inside District 7, according to an ABC6 analysis. Our City, Our Say began pushing for reform after that race (WOSU).

Summer 2026

A petition qualifies

Our City, Our Say submits about 23,000 signatures for district-only elections; the Board of Elections validates 15,945 — enough to reach the ballot.

Aug. 2026

No single compromise — but a cooperative turn

The two sides don’t reach a formal deal. Council President Pro Tem Rob Dorans develops a second amendment, a 13-member council, that he says is meant to complement the citizen measure, not oppose it (WOSU).

Aug. 24, 2026

Council sends both to voters

At its first meeting back from summer recess, City Council votes 8–0, with Councilmember Melissa Green absent, to send both amendments to the November ballot: the citizen petition (Ord. 2354-2026) and Council’s own amendment (Ord. 2355-2026). The Columbus Dispatch covered the vote.

Aug. 31, 2026

A technical fix to the petition ordinance

Council votes 9–0 to correct a drafting error in the Aug. 24 petition ordinance, which had named the wrong ballot question in a section apart from the ballot language. The fix makes “no changes whatsoever to the language of the ballot issue” (Ord. 2451-2026). The Board of Elections’ official notice for Issue 8 cites this Aug. 31 ordinance.

Sept. 2026

Certified as Issues 8 and 9

The Board of Elections certifies the November ballot and assigns issue numbers. Its official notices of election, with the ballot language, are dated Sept. 14.

Sept. 22, 2026

County Democrats endorse both

The Franklin County Democratic Party’s central committee votes to endorse Issues 8 and 9 (WOSU).

Oct. 5, 2026

Registration closes; the Dispatch endorses

The deadline to register or update a registration for the November election. The Columbus Dispatch editorial board endorses Issue 9 and calls a yes vote on Issue 8 “a step in the right direction” (Dispatch).

Oct. 6, 2026

Early voting opens

Early in-person voting begins. Mail ballots can be requested through Oct. 27.

November 3, 2026

Voters approve both

Issue 8 passes with 81.8% of the vote and Issue 9 with 57.2%, according to unofficial results.

By Nov. 24, 2026

Official results

The Franklin, Delaware and Fairfield County boards of elections must certify official results by Nov. 24, under Ohio Secretary of State Directive 2026-48.

By March 1, 2027

Districting commission appointed

An independent, citizen-led commission is appointed to redraw the district map. It has nine months to submit three plans, and Council must adopt one by Dec. 31, 2027.

November 2, 2027

The first district-only elections

Districts 2, 5, 6, 8 and 9 are on the ballot, on the current map, each decided only by its own voters, along with the first two at-large seats (Board of Elections 2027 schedule).

January 2028

Council grows to 11

The first two at-large members take office. Passing legislation takes six votes.

November 2029

The new map is first used

Districts 1, 3, 4 and 7 are on the ballot, with two more at-large seats.

January 2030

Council grows to 13

Nine district members and four at-large. Passing legislation takes seven votes.

What each side said

Arguments made for the changes

Supporters of Our City, Our Say said district-only elections give neighborhoods a representative who answers to them directly, and that running in one district costs less than a citywide campaign. “Every resident will have their own city council member elected by the residents in each district directly accountable to them and to the communities within each district,” organizer Will Petrik said (WOSU).
Jesse Vogel, who led in ABC6’s precinct-level analysis of District 7 in 2025 but lost citywide, said of that result: “It doesn’t make sense to voters. It sows distrust and makes accountability hard” (ABC6).
Dorans said Issue 9’s four at-large seats keep a citywide voice on issues that cross district lines, such as transit, housing, and workforce development (WOSU). “These two issues work in tandem together to complement one another,” he told county Democrats (WOSU).
“As our city grows, we need to give more folks a seat at the table and make sure that every neighborhood has a champion,” Council President Shannon Hardin said (ABC6).

Concerns and open questions

Some labor and Black community leaders raised concerns about how the changes could affect representation on council (WOSU, Aug. 18). Issue 9 does not require majority-minority districts, which some Black leaders had called for (WOSU, Aug. 21).
Some Our City, Our Say supporters, including former mayoral candidate Joe Motil, backed Issue 8 but criticized Issue 9 (WOSU). A coalition spokesperson said four at-large seats weren’t preferable to many members, though the group wasn’t opposing Issue 9 (WOSU, Aug. 21).
Council chief of staff John Tannous, arguing for citywide seats, said research shows that “when cities move to a district-based council, they tend to see housing production drop dramatically.” District 7 Councilmember Tiara Ross said a citywide perspective is needed on housing (ABC6).
With four new seats, a 2027 map redraw, and new council rules, Issue 9 is a larger structural change than Issue 8.

Reactions to the result

Council President Pro Tem Rob Dorans, who introduced Issue 9, said he was glad both passed, “by overwhelming majorities.” He attributed Issue 9’s lower support to its being more complicated; as WOSU noted, its full text ran six pages to Issue 8’s one (WOSU, Nov. 3).
Will Petrik of Our City, Our Say thanked the voters and organizations that backed the coalition and said it looks forward to “robust conversations about our city’s future in each district” and a more level playing field for new candidates (Columbus Underground, Nov. 4).
Some coalition members had urged a no vote on Issue 9. One, DSA Columbus member Zach Sparks, attributed the gap between the two results to a campaign against Issue 9 that ran streaming ads and sent mailers (WOSU, Nov. 3).

In August, an Our City, Our Say spokesperson said Council’s measure didn’t undermine the petition amendment (WOSU, Aug. 21). In September, organizers Will Petrik and Adrienne Hood urged county Democrats to back both issues (WOSU, Sept. 23). The coalition campaigned for Issue 8; according to the Dispatch, its 20 member organizations could not reach consensus on Issue 9, and the coalition took no position on it. Endorsements before the vote: Franklin County Democratic Party — Issue 8 and Issue 9 (Sept. 22, 2026); Columbus Dispatch editorial board — Issue 9, calling a yes vote on Issue 8 “a step in the right direction” (Oct. 5, 2026). The points above summarize positions publicly stated by the named parties; they are not endorsements. Columbus Districts is a nonpartisan reference and did not take a position on either issue.

Common questions

What are Columbus Issues 8 and 9?

Two amendments to the Columbus City Charter that voters approved on November 3, 2026, according to unofficial results. Issue 8, placed on the ballot by citizen petition, has each district council member elected only by the voters in that district. Issue 9, referred by City Council, makes the same change and adds four members elected citywide, growing council to 13 members by 2030.

Did Issues 8 and 9 pass?

Yes. Issue 8 passed with 81.8% of the vote and Issue 9 with 57.2%, according to unofficial results. The county boards of elections certify official results by November 24, 2026. Both amendments take effect: when it placed Issue 9 on the ballot, City Council found that the two do not conflict.

When do district-only City Council elections start?

With the November 2, 2027 general election. Districts 2, 5, 6, 8 and 9 are on that ballot, and each race is decided only by the voters who live in that district. Districts 1, 3, 4 and 7 follow in 2029.

How many members will Columbus City Council have?

Nine until January 2028, when two at-large members elected in 2027 take office, making 11. Two more, elected in 2029, take office in January 2030, making 13: nine elected by district and four elected citywide.

When will the council district map be redrawn?

In 2027. A citizen-led districting commission is to be appointed by March 1, 2027, and City Council must adopt one of its plans by the end of 2027. The new map is first used in the 2029 elections; the 2027 elections use the current map.

What to watch next

Your district

Find your district

From 2027, you vote only in your own district’s council race, plus the at-large races.

Look up your address →

Candidates

Thinking about running?

District candidates: 150 signatures from the district and one year of residency before the primary. At-large: 250 signatures citywide. Petitions are due by 4 p.m. on February 3, 2027.

How to run in 2027 →Board of Elections 2027 schedule →

The map

Follow the redistricting

The districting commission is to be appointed by March 1, 2027. The commission holds public meetings before submitting plans, and Council adopts the new map by ordinance.

Council meeting calendar → Council email updates →

The 2027 council elections, with dates and results history, are on the Elections page.

Sources

Results

Franklin County BOE — unofficial results, Franklin County portion (report of Nov. 4, 2026, 12:13 p.m.)
Delaware County BOE — unofficial canvass (Nov. 3, 2026, 10:30 p.m.)
Fairfield County BOE — unofficial canvass (Nov. 3, 2026, 11:59 p.m.)
Directive 2026-48: canvass and certification of the Nov. 3, 2026 general election (PDF, Ohio Secretary of State, Oct. 2, 2026)
Columbus voters pass Issues 8 and 9, adding four new council members, among other changes — WOSU, Nov. 3, 2026
Both Columbus Issue 8 and Issue 9 pass, according to unofficial election results — NBC4, Nov. 4, 2026
Voters approve Columbus City Council election changes — Axios Columbus, Nov. 4, 2026
2026 Ohio Election Results — Columbus Underground, Nov. 4, 2026
Changes coming to how council is elected after Issues 8, 9 pass in Columbus — ABC6, Nov. 4, 2026

The ballot record · Franklin County Board of Elections

Certified Questions and Issues, Nov. 3, 2026 General Election (PDF)
Notice of Election: Issue 8, Columbus charter amendment by petition (PDF, Sept. 14, 2026)
Notice of Election: Issue 9, Columbus charter amendment by Council (PDF, Sept. 14, 2026)
Full text of Issue 8 (PDF)
Full text of Issue 9 (PDF)
2026 election information
2027 election information (primary and general election schedules, published Sept. 2026)
Official results, Nov. 4, 2025 General Election: Most Populous summary (PDF; despite a “Franklin County Only” footer, its Columbus totals include the Delaware and Fairfield County parts of the city)

Official documents · Columbus City Council and the State of Ohio

Ordinance 2354-2026: submits the citizen petition amendment (passed Aug. 24, 2026)
Ordinance 2355-2026: submits Council’s amendment; Section 5 finds no conflicting provisions (passed Aug. 24, 2026)
Ordinance 2451-2026: corrects a drafting error in Ord. 2354-2026 (passed Aug. 31, 2026)
Ohio Questions and Issues Handbook, ch. 10: charters (PDF, Ohio Secretary of State; copy hosted by the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections)
2026 election calendar (PDF, Ohio Secretary of State)

News coverage before the vote

Sneaky Columbus council trying to maintain power with fake voting reform — Columbus Dispatch guest column, Oct. 14, 2026
Columbus voters must ditch rigged council system. The status quo must go — Columbus Dispatch editorial board, Oct. 5, 2026
Franklin County Democrats endorse both ballot issues to reform Columbus City Council — WOSU, Sept. 23, 2026
Issue 8 vs. Issue 9: what Columbus voters need to know before Election Day — ABC6, Sept. 24, 2026
Columbus City Council passes proposals to expand body, overhaul elections to Nov. ballot — ABC6, Aug. 24, 2026
Two Columbus City Council reform amendments headed to November ballot — Columbus Dispatch, Aug. 24, 2026
Columbus City Council sends two council reform amendments to November ballot — WOSU, Aug. 24, 2026
Columbus City Council proposes a hybrid model of at-large and district voting — WOSU, Aug. 21, 2026
Labor and Black leaders raise concerns on Columbus City Council reform effort — WOSU, Aug. 18, 2026
Group collects enough valid signatures for vote on how Columbus elects city council — WOSU, July 30, 2026
Our City Our Say submits 23,000 signatures to force a vote on how Columbus elects city council — WOSU, July 16, 2026
Columbus City Council will see some reforms, but not for another six years — WOSU, May 11, 2018

Where news coverage differs from the certified documents, this page follows the certified documents. Every claim should be checked against a primary source.

Columbus Districts is nonpartisan. It is not affiliated with the City of Columbus, Columbus City Council, or any political campaign, including any campaign that supported or opposed Issue 8 or Issue 9. About this site.

Last updated: November 4, 2026