Ballot Issue

Issue 5 creates a team to send trained, non-police responders to emergency calls that don't involve a weapon or intent to harm. The amendment had no organized opposition.

Issue 5 on the May 5 primary ballot asks voters if they want to establish a team of clinicians and social workers to respond to non-violent crises in place of police officers.

Rob Dorans wants a system with a mix of both 'at-large' council members elected by the whole city and district representatives that are only elected by voters within certain boundaries. The current system only has at-large council members with a district residency requirement.

Both proposals would require the nine city council members to only get votes from within their districts rather than city wide. Jonathan Beard's idea also aims to create a new district map, arguing the current map racially gerrymanders the districts to be mostly white.

Councilmember Tiara Ross won November's election citywide, while her opponent Jesse Vogel won the most votes in council district 7. That's what both proposals seek to change.

Columbus City Council came to an agreement that would put a ballot issue on November's ballot to create an alternative crisis response team. The city negotiated the terms with the Columbus Safety Collective on the group's proposal before coming to an agreement.

If passed, the city's public health department would be required to oversee an alternative crisis response team, that would respond to certain emergencies instead of police officers. This could include mental health, welfare checks and calls about substance abuse.

Mayor Andrew Ginther pitched the bond issue at a Columbus Metropolitan Club forum Wednesday.

The bill would more control to Ohio's attorney general in potentially more opportunity to stall the process of putting a referendum on a statewide ballot.

Democratic and community leaders called the green energy issue that claims it will reduce electricity costs "a scam," "a trick," and "disrespectful" to Black communities.