Columbus Council Districts Map Chosen

Finalizing the conclusion of the Columbus City Charter-mandated process to draw legislative districts for Council, an official map has been selected and will be in place for the 2023 municipal elections. 

“I am very thankful for the work of the Council Residential Districting Commission,” said Councilmember Emmanuel V. Remy.  “After nine months of consistent and transparent communication, community engagement, and Council’s thorough review of public comments, Map A presented itself as the best option. This collaborative process could not have been done without the community’s involvement and for that, I am grateful.”

Described as a North-South map, the Map A districts are organized from North to South, taking into account area commission and Columbus community boundaries. Presented in the second round of map drafts, this map was edited slightly before being part of the final slate of options. The edits were made specifically to the Graceland and Clintonville areas, based on resident feedback. 

The selected map was based on months of public meetings and public input, conducted by the Columbus Residential Districting Commission (CRDC), which was appointed earlier this year by Council and Mayor Andrew J. Ginther.

The CRDC’s robust, public-facing process was conducted throughout the course of 2021, with over two dozen public working sessions, including six regional information-gathering sessions, more than 650 comments from residents on draft maps, and an online survey that garnered thousands of results. 

As mandated by a process approved by Columbus voters in 2018, the map draws nine residential districts, and requires a councilmember to live in each of them, while still representing the City at-large. Through this process, Council will add two additional members, increasing membership from seven to nine. 

“This citizen-led process has been transparent and thorough,” said Council President Shannon G. Hardin. “This change requires Council Members to live in distinct neighborhoods all over the city. Proximity is essential for good government, and this new system puts representatives closer to residents.” 

The nine districts created by the map approved by Council will be in place for the 2023 elections, when all nine Council seats will be up for election.