The Franklin County Democratic Party Central Committee voted Tuesday to endorse both ballot issues voters will see this November, seeking to reform Columbus City Council: Issues 8 and 9.
If voters approve both Issue 8 — which was a citizen-led effort — and Issue 9 — which is pushed by city council — council would expand to 13 members, nine of which would only be voted on by citizens within one of nine council district seats. Issue 9 also calls for a redrawing of the district map.
The county party heard from council members Nick Bankston and Rob Dorans as well as Will Petrik and Adrienne Hood, members of the grassroots movement Our City Our Say.
The four were supportive of both proposed charter amendments and urged the Democrats gathered in the room to support both initiatives.
"We should not be afraid of change Democrats. We have changed our council structure over 10 times since we founded this great city. These two issues work in tandem together to complement one another," Dorans said.
In the end, a majority of the central committee members raised their hand, voting in favor of endorsing both issues. This included Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther, City Council President Shannon Hardin and other council members who were in the crowd.
Our City Our Say began calling for reform to city council's current system after the 2025 election in District 7. The winner was Columbus City Council member Tiara Ross, who won more votes citywide, but lost within the bounds of District 7 to challenger Jesse Vogel.
Future results like this is what many in the movement want to fix. Issue 8 is the result of that desire.
This ballot issue requires the district-system voters put in place in 2018 mimic what many other cities do — only let voters within the district elect their council member.
Petrik argues the current system ignored the will of voters in last year's city council election between Ross and Vogel.
"Last year, a majority of voters in District 7 were ignored by our current system. Issue 8 and 9 would change that. 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," Petrik said.
Hood, a former city council candidate, addressed her fellow organizers who may not like the city council proposal. Some, like former mayoral candidate Joe Motil, criticize Issue 9 but support Issue 8.
"I know that there were members in our committee and our city who were not happy with where we landed, but I stand here today to say it's not the end. This is only the beginning," Hood said.
After the group gathered signatures to put Issue 8 on the ballot, organizers began negotiating with city council to get a compromise. While negotiations failed, council put forth Issue 9.
Issue 9 sets a map redraw for 2028. It would also expand city council by four members, who will all be elected at-large by every voter in Columbus.
City council leaders argued having a citywide voice on council was important for issues that impact the whole city, such as housing.
Our City Our Say argues that having true district council members helps advocate to specific neighborhood issues and keeps members accountable to the neighbors who elect them.
A forum on the two ballot issues is planned for Thursday, Sept. 24 at 6:30 p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church. Columbus Stand Up co-founder Morgan Harper, who is part of the Our City Our Say Coalition, plans to discuss the issues with Dorans.
