Cleveland council adopts new 15-ward map amid widespread public opposition

Cleveland City Council voted to adopt Ordinance 1 2025, approving new ward boundaries that reduce the number of wards from 17 to 15. The motion to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on final passage passed on a motion by Councilmember Bishop, seconded by Councilmember Polencik; the final recorded vote on passage was 14 yeas and 2 nays.

The change to ward boundaries drew more than a dozen public comments and several hours of discussion during the council meeting. Residents and community groups urged the council to delay action, to allow more public input and to preserve neighborhood integrity. "These lines are our tickets to representation," said Diabdar Issa, a Ward 11 resident who said the proposed map would split neighborhoods and dilute communities of interest. "Please take this into consideration. It's so much more important than the vote in November," Issa said.

The League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland urged the council not to rush the process. "Now is the time for community input, public meetings, and revisions based on public input," said Nadia Zayim, co-president of the League of Women Voters of Greater…