With the resignation of Councilmember Shayla Favor (District 7), and per the process outlined by the City Charter and Code, the Columbus City Council has started accepting applications to fill the vacant seat created by the resignation which is effective from December 31, 2024. Only applications received after November 14 and before the December 9 deadline will be considered.

District 7 includes Downtown, Franklinton, Italian Village, Victorian Village, Harrison West, Fifth by Northwest, Olde Town East, Near East, and the University District.

In a memo to City Council Members, Council President Shannon Hardin provided an outline of the timeline and process to fill the vacancy.

Applicants must apply at columbus.gov/councilvacancy by Monday, December 9, 2024, at 12:00pm, which will be filed with the City Clerk pursuant to Columbus City Code section 111.35(A).

Following the application closure, council members will select and submit a list of finalists to the City Clerk by December 12, 2024.

This past year, Columbus City Council changed from an at-large system to a hybrid-district system, where every Council Member must live in the district they represent. With this change, comes a new residency requirement for Council appointees.

To ensure an address falls within District 7, go to https://www.columbus.gov/Government/City-Council/Council-Residential-Districts and click on the Columbus District Map and type in your address.

“I want to thank Councilmember Favor for her service and commitment to the City during her time on Council. I wish her the best as she moves on to the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office,” said President Shannon Hardin.

“To ensure the continuity of governing, Council must fill vacant seats based on the process outlined in the City Code. I believe the City would be best served by an experienced civic leader who can act as a caretaker for District 7. While I am only one member of this body, I will be looking for applicants to finish the remaining one year of Councilmember Favor’s term, rather than applicants planning to campaign for the seat in the 2025 elections.”

A public hearing will be held on December 18, 2024, at 5 PM to hear from the candidates and the public. Members of the public who wish to provide testimony, either in-person or written, should email Kevin McCain at KBMcCain@columbus.gov with the subject line “Speaking at Vacancy Public Hearing” by noon on the day of the hearing.

During a council meeting in early 2025, Councilmembers will formally nominate applicants for the vacancy and vote to appoint a new member. If a majority of Councilmembers vote to appoint a nominee, they will then be eligible to be sworn in under oath and take office pursuant to Section 5 of the City Charter and Section 111.35 of Columbus City Code. The appointed nominee from District 7 will serve the remainder of Councilmember Favor’s term, which expires on December 31, 2025.

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