In reading the updated Oct 17 VOTER GUIDE from the Columbus Dispatch it’s important to notice the choice of words author Jordan Laird used to describe the UNDEMOCRATIC VOTING SYSTEM our city uses for City Council.

“Under Columbus' unusual district system, first rolled out in 2023, all nine city council members are elected citywide.”

“Unusual.” UNUSUAL is the word that Jordan Laird used. Why? Because it only favors the party in power and because candidates are forced to run a city-wide campaign. Remember the earlier primary of three candidates? Vogel won District 7 that time. The citizens that live in District 7 have already chosen him to be their next member of City Council; not Ross. It’s the MOST CREATIVE GERRYMANDERED SYSTEM INVENTED and it eliminates all competition from grassroots candidates (unless you have money). Franklin County Democrats LOVE IT since they normally don’t have to spent a single dime to get their “endorsed candidate” elected.

Only District 7 is shown in the voter guide because the other City Council seats are UNOPPOSED and that’s the plan. Less democracy inside city hall and more power centralized in only one party. No competition. One party rule.

“UNUSUAL” is the wrong choice of words for the Dispatch Voter Guide. The CORRECT choice of words should be what it really happens to be: UNDEMOCRATIC.

See “Citymandering” Works, May 3, 2025 Editorial for more background https://columbusfreepress.com/article/oped-columbus-%E2%80%9Ccitymandering%E2%80%9D-works