The city of Columbus has released the first draft of a map for new city council member districts.
The nine districts are part of a council overhaul approved by voters in 2018. Council members will have to live in the district they represent, although they will still be elected city-wide.
“We are here today because residents of Columbus said they wanted change. They wanted their city legislators to live on every side of the city,” City Council president Shannon Hardin said at a Wednesday meeting where the map was released.
The first map was drawn by the Council Residential Districting Commission using 2010 census data. The commission will collect public feedback on the first draft for 30 days before creating a new version that includes 2020 Census data.
Council will approve one of three final draft district maps by the end of 2021, for use in the 2023 Columbus municipal elections.
The changes approved by voters followed council and the Ohio Supreme Court rejecting a more-radical proposal that includes ward-based elections, a large expansion of council, and term limits.
