The Livingston Avenue Area Commission (LAVA-C) is a resident-led volunteer body that serves as an advisory and recommendation group to the City of Columbus on issues affecting our neighborhoods: Driving Park, Livingston Park, Hanford Village, and Old Oaks. Our role is to elevate community voices, encourage civic engagement, and advocate for processes that help residents participate meaningfully in local government.

In that spirit, we encourage residents to learn more about the Our City, Our Say charter amendment proposal and to consider its potential impact on representation and accountability in Columbus.

Under the current system, Columbus City Council members are required to live in the districts they represent, but they are elected by voters across the entire city. Supporters of the district-based election proposal believe this structure can make it more difficult for neighborhoods to have a direct voice in choosing the person who represents them on Council. They argue that electing council members solely by the residents of their districts would strengthen accountability and create a closer connection between elected officials and the communities they serve.

As commissioners, we regularly hear from residents about neighborhood-specific concerns—from housing and development to infrastructure, safety, parks, and quality-of-life issues. We also know that every Columbus neighborhood has its own history, assets, opportunities, and challenges. Many residents believe that a council member whose election depends directly on the support of district voters may be better positioned to understand and respond to those local priorities.

The proposed charter amendment has also generated discussion about broader issues of civic participation. Supporters contend that district-based elections could lower barriers for community-focused candidates, encourage greater voter engagement, and provide residents with a stronger sense of ownership in local government.

LAVA-C supports efforts that promote informed participation in our democracy and strengthen the connection between residents and their government. After reviewing the proposal and the public discourse surrounding it, we believe the Our City, Our Say initiative merits support and thoughtful consideration from Columbus voters.

Regardless of where you ultimately stand on the issue, we encourage all residents to learn about the proposal, engage in respectful discussion with their neighbors, and participate in the democratic process. Decisions about how we elect our representatives have lasting effects on how communities are heard and how public priorities are shaped.

Columbus continues to grow and evolve, and conversations about representation deserve the attention and engagement of all of us. We encourage residents to take the time to understand the district-based election proposal and consider whether it would help strengthen accountability, neighborhood representation, and public trust in city government.