Editorial: It's Time to Reform How Council Vacancies Are Filled

The citizens of Columbus deserve a transparent, accountable, and community-centered process when vacancies occur on our City Council. Yet under the current rules of our consolidated government charter, that’s not what they’re guaranteed.

The Editorial Board of The Courier Eco Latino joins a growing number of concerned residents in calling on our local legislative delegation to revise the procedures for filling vacancies on the Columbus Council.

As outlined in Section 6-201 of the city charter, when a council seat becomes vacant more than 1.5 years after the most recent election, the remaining members of Council have the authority to appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of the unexpired term. But the charter provides no guidelines for how this appointment should be made — no requirements for public notice, no minimum waiting period, no call for transparency or community input.

In a democratic society, silence in the law is not a license for secrecy. The lack of structure in this process erodes public trust and opens the door for insider politics, favoritism and decisions made in the shadows.

There is a better way forward.

We urge the Columbus legislative delegation to propose and pass a local Act amending the city charter to create fair, transparent and participatory procedures for Council appointments. These reforms should include:

• A required public notice period prior to any appointment;
• A minimum waiting period after a vacancy is declared;
• An open application and vetting process; and
• Opportunities for public comment and community forums before a final vote.

Additionally, the charter itself allows citizens to initiate amendments via referendum if 10 percent of qualified voters sign a petition — a provision that underscores the people's right to shape the rules that govern them.

Let’s be clear: this isn’t just about process — it’s about power. Decisions about who represents us should not happen behind closed doors. Every appointment to public office should be grounded in transparency and public confidence, especially in a city as historically rich and civically engaged as Columbus.

If we want to build a more inclusive and accountable government, we must start by ensuring that the voices of our people are heard — even when a seat is vacant.