Ohio General Assembly
| Ohio General Assembly | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type: | State legislature |
| Term limits: | 2 terms (8 years) in Senate, 4 terms (8 years) in House |
| Session start: | January 2, 2024 |
| Website: | Official Legislature Page |
| Leadership | |
| Senate President: | Matt Huffman (R) |
| House Speaker: | Jason Stephens (R) |
| Majority Leader: | Senate: Kirk Schuring (R) House: Bill Seitz (R) |
| Minority Leader: | Senate: Nickie Antonio (D) House: Allison Russo (D) |
| Structure | |
| Members: | 33 (Senate), 99 (House) |
| Length of term: | 4 years (Senate), 2 years (House) |
| Authority: | Art II, Ohio Constitution |
| Salary: | $71,099/year |
| Elections | |
| Last election: | November 8, 2022 |
| Next election: | November 5, 2024 |
| Redistricting: | Commission |
The Ohio General Assembly is the state legislature of Ohio. It consists of the 99-member Ohio House of Representatives and the 33-member Ohio State Senate. Both houses of the General Assembly meet at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus.
Ohio has a Republican trifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.
Due to a 2022 Ohio Supreme Court ruling, the Ohio Redistricting Commission was required to draw new state legislative maps following the 2022 elections.[1]
On September 26, 2023, the Ohio Redistricting Commission voted 6-0 (with one member absent) to adopt new state legislative maps.[2][3] On October 5, the ACLU of Ohio filed a motion on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Ohio and other plaintiffs asking the Ohio Supreme Court to invalidate the new state legislative maps on the grounds that they violated the state constitution.[4]
On November 27, the Ohio Supreme Court upheld the maps and dismissed the following cases: League of Women Voters of Ohio et al. v. Ohio Redistricting Commission et al., Bennett et al. v. Ohio Redistricting Commission et al., and Ohio Organizing Collaborative et al. v. Ohio Redistricting Commission et al.[5] Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy wrote for the majority: "The bipartisan adoption of the September 2023 plan is a changed circumstance that makes it appropriate to relinquish our continuing jurisdiction over these cases.[6]
The majority was composed of the court's four Republicans.
Justice Jennifer L. Brunner wrote a dissent on behalf of the court's other two Democrats, saying, "It is illusory to suggest that a bipartisan vote to adopt the September 2023 plan constitutes a change in circumstances that somehow diminishes our review power or renders a unanimous redistricting plan constitutionally compliant. There is nothing in Article XI, Section 6 that suggests that bipartisan agreement on
a plan renders it presumptively constitutional, and we have flatly rejected that idea."[7] Click here for more information.
Senate
The Ohio State Senate is the upper house in Ohio's legislature. Members of the Ohio Senate are limited to two consecutive four-year elected terms. Service to fill out another member's uncompleted term does not count against the state's term limits. There are 33 members elected from individual districts.
As of the 2020 Census, Ohio state senators represented an average of 357,844 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 350,560 residents.
Each Senate district corresponds exactly to 3 of the 99 State House districts.
| Party | As of November 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 7 | |
| Republican Party | 26 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 33 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Republicans won control of the Ohio State Senate in 1984. In 2022, they won a 26-7 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Ohio Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Ohio State Senate election results: 1992-2022
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 | '22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 |
| Republicans | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
House of Representatives
The Ohio House of Representatives is the lower house of Ohio's legislature. The House first met in Chillicothe on March 3, 1803, under the later superseded constitution of that year. There are 99 members of the house, elected from single-member districts. Every even-numbered year, all the seats are up for re-election.
As of the 2020 Census, Ohio state representatives represented an average of 119,281 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 116,853 residents.
| Party | As of November 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 32 | |
| Republican Party | 67 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 99 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Republicans won control of the Ohio House of Representatives in 2010. In 2022, they won a 67-32 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Ohio House following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Ohio House of Representatives election results: 1992-2022
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 | '22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 53 | 43 | 39 | 40 | 39 | 37 | 40 | 46 | 53 | 40 | 39 | 34 | 33 | 38 | 35 | 32 |
| Republicans | 46 | 56 | 60 | 59 | 60 | 62 | 59 | 53 | 46 | 59 | 60 | 65 | 66 | 61 | 64 | 67 |
Elections
2026
Elections for the Ohio State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.
Elections for the Ohio House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.
2024
Elections for the Ohio State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was March 19, 2024. The filing deadline was December 20, 2023.
Elections for the Ohio House of Representatives took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was March 19, 2024. The filing deadline was December 20, 2023.
2022
Elections for the Ohio State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was held on August 2, 2022. The filing deadline was February 2, 2022.
A primary was originally scheduled for May 3, 2022, but was rescheduled after the State Supreme Court rejected the state legislative maps approved by the Ohio Redistricting Commission. On May 28, 2022, Secretary of State Frank LaRose called for the primary to be held on August 2.[8][9]
Elections for the Ohio House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was held on August 2, 2022. The filing deadline was February 2, 2022.
A primary was originally scheduled for May 3, 2022, but was rescheduled after the State Supreme Court rejected the state legislative maps approved by the Ohio Redistricting Commission. On May 28, 2022, Secretary of State Frank LaRose called for the primary to be held on August 2.[10][11]
2020
Elections for the office of Ohio State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for April 28, 2020. The filing deadline was December 18, 2019.
Elections for the office of Ohio House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for April 28, 2020. The filing deadline was December 18, 2019.
2018
Elections for the Ohio State Senate took place in 2018. The primary election took place on May 8, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The filing deadline for partisan candidates was February 7, 2018. The filing deadline for independent candidates was May 7, 2018.
Elections for the Ohio House of Representatives took place in 2018. The primary election took place on May 8, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The filing deadline for partisan candidates was February 7, 2018. The filing deadline for independent candidates was May 7, 2018.
2016
Elections for the Ohio State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election was held on March 15, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was December 16, 2015.
Elections for the Ohio House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on March 15, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was December 16, 2015.
2014
Elections for the Ohio State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 6, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 5, 2014.
Elections for the Ohio House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 6, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 5, 2014.
2012
Elections for the office of Ohio State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on March 6, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was December 7, 2011.
Elections for the office of Ohio House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on March 6, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was December 7, 2011.
2010
Elections for the office of Ohio State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on May 4, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was February 18, 2010.
Elections for the office of Ohio House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on May 4, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was February 18, 2010.
Sessions
Article II of the Ohio Constitution establishes when the General Assembly is to meet. Section 8 of Article II states that the regular session is to convene on the first Monday in January of each year, or the following day if that Monday is a legal holiday.
Section 8 also contains rules for convening special sessions of the General Assembly. It empowers the Governor of Ohio or the presiding officers of the General Assembly to convene a special session. For the presiding officers to convene the session, they must act jointly.
2024
In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 2, 2024, and adjourn on December 19, 2024.
2023
In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 2, 2023, and adjourn on December 31, 2024.
| Click [show] for past years' session dates. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
2022In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 19, 2022, and adjourn on December 15, 2022. 2021In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 4, 2021, and adjourn on December 31, 2021. 2020In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 6, 2020, and adjourn on December 31, 2020.
Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. The Ohio State Legislature suspended legislative activity on an uncertain date. The House reconvened on May 6, 2020. The Senate reconvened on May 13, 2020.[12][13] 2019In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 7, 2019, through December 31, 2019. 2018In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 2, 2018, through December 31, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here. 2017
In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 2, 2017, through December 31, 2017. 2016
In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 5 through December 31. Major issues in 2016Major issues during the 2016 legislative session included legalizing marijuana for medical and recreational use, anti-abortion legislation, renewable-energy mandates, congressional redistricting, and right-to-work bills.[14] 2015
In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 5 through December 16.[15] Major issues in 2015Major issues during the 2015 legislative session included raising the minimum wage, expanding Medicaid eligibility, and increase accountability for charter schools.[16] 2014
In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 7 through December 31. Major issues in 2014Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included raising taxes on gas and oil drilling, reforming Ohio’s municipal income tax system, changing the state's election and concealed-weapons laws, and reforming Medicaid and other health-care issues. Both chambers also looked to reduce the state's energy efficiency and renewable energy mandates.[17] 2013
In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 7 to December 31. Major issues in 2013Keith Faber (R) took over as president of the Senate and the main focus of the legislature was adopting a new biennial state budget. Additionally, lawmakers addressed casino regulation, state collective-bargaining laws, Medicare expansion, and prison overcrowding.[18] 2012
In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 3 to December 31. 2011
In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 3 through December 31.[19] 2010
In 2010, the legislature was in session from January 4 through December 31.[20] |
Role in state budget
- See also: Ohio state budget and finances
Ohio on 
|
The state operates on a biennial budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[21]
- Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in July of the year preceding the start of the new biennium.
- State agencies submit their requests to the governor between September and October.
- The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature in February (the deadline is extended to March 15 for a newly elected governor).
- The legislature typically adopts a budget in June. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The biennium begins July 1 of odd-numbered years.
Ohio is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[21][22]
The governor is legally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the state legislature is legally required to pass a balanced budget.[21]
District maps
State Senate
State House
Veto overrides
- See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures
State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Ohio are listed below.
How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Three-fifths of members in both chambers.
| Three-fifths of members in both chambers must vote to override a veto, which is 60 of the 99 members in the Ohio House of Representatives and 20 of the 33 members in the Ohio State Senate. Ohio is one of seven states that requires a three-fifths vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto. |
Are there other special rules?
| If the governor vetoes an emergency measure, two-thirds of the members in both chambers are required to override the veto, which is 66 of the 99 state representatives and 22 of the 33 state senators.[23] |
Authority: Article II, Section 16 of the Ohio Constitution.
| "If the governor approves an act, he shall sign it, it becomes law and he shall file it with the secretary of state. If he does not approve it, he shall return it with his objections in writing, to the house in which it originated, which shall enter the objections at large upon its journal, and may then reconsider the vote on its passage. If three-fifths of the members elected to the house of origin vote to repass the bill, it shall be sent, with the objections of the governor, to the other house, which may also reconsider the vote on its passage. If three fifths of the members elected to the second house vote to repass it, it becomes law notwithstanding the objections of the governor, and the presiding officer of the second house shall file it with the secretary of state." |
Redistricting
- See also: Redistricting in Ohio
Congressional redistricting procedures in Ohio
On May 8, 2018, voters in Ohio approved a constitutional amendment establishing new procedures for congressional redistricting. Beginning with the 2020 redistricting cycle, the following provisions were set to take effect:[24][25]
- Following completion of the United States Census, state legislators can adopt a new congressional district map if three-fifths of the legislature's total membership vote to approve, including one-half of the minority party members. This map would apply for 10 years.
- If the legislature proves unable to adopt a new map, a commission will be formed to adopt a map. That commission will include the governor, state auditor, secretary of state, and four legislators, two of whom must come from the legislature's minority party. A majority of the commission's members, including two members belonging to the minority party, must agree on a map. The map would apply for 10 years.
- If the commission proves unable to adopt a map, state legislators will be given a second chance to adopt a map. The map would have to be approved by three-fifths of the legislature's total membership, including one-third of the minority party's members. The map would apply for 10 years.
- If the legislature fails a second time, the majority party of the legislature, without support from the minority party, can adopt a map that would apply for four years.
Maps drawn by the legislature can be vetoed by the governor or a veto referendum campaign. The amendment stipulates that 65 of Ohio's counties cannot be split during redistricting (18 can be split once, and the state's five most populous counties can be split twice).[24][25]
State legislative redistricting procedures in Ohio
On November 3, 2015, voters in Ohio approved a constitutional amendment to create a bipartisan state legislative redistricting commission. The commission comprises seven members: the governor, state auditor, secretary of state, one person appointed by the speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, one person appointed by the House leader of the largest political party of which the speaker is not a member, one person appointed by the President of the Ohio State Senate, and one person appointed by the Senate leader of the largest political party of which the president is not a member.[26][27]
Maps drawn by the commission are valid for 10 years if at least two commissioners from each major political party vote for them. Should the maps be passed along strictly partisan lines, the maps are valid for four years.[26][27]
A six-member advisory commission is also involved in the congressional and state legislative redistricting processes. The majority leaders of the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio State Senate each appoint three members, "at least one of whom must be from a different party, and at least one of whom must not be a legislator."[28]
All legislative districts are required to be compact and made of "contiguous territory." Also, the "boundary of each district [must] be a single nonintersecting continuous line." The amendment forbids district plans from favoring or disfavoring either political party.[26][27]
2020
State legislative maps enacted in 2023
Due to a 2022 Ohio Supreme Court ruling, the Ohio Redistricting Commission was required to draw new state legislative maps following the 2022 elections.[29]
On September 26, 2023, the Ohio Redistricting Commission voted 6-0 (with one member absent) to adopt new state legislative maps.[30][31] On October 5, the ACLU of Ohio filed a motion on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Ohio and other plaintiffs asking the Ohio Supreme Court to invalidate the new state legislative maps on the grounds that they violated the state constitution.[32]
On November 27, the Ohio Supreme Court upheld the maps and dismissed the following cases: League of Women Voters of Ohio et al. v. Ohio Redistricting Commission et al., Bennett et al. v. Ohio Redistricting Commission et al., and Ohio Organizing Collaborative et al. v. Ohio Redistricting Commission et al.[5] Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy wrote for the majority: "The bipartisan adoption of the September 2023 plan is a changed circumstance that makes it appropriate to relinquish our continuing jurisdiction over these cases.[33]
The majority was composed of the court's four Republicans.
Justice Jennifer L. Brunner wrote a dissent on behalf of the court's other two Democrats, saying, "It is illusory to suggest that a bipartisan vote to adopt the September 2023 plan constitutes a change in circumstances that somehow diminishes our review power or renders a unanimous redistricting plan constitutionally compliant. There is nothing in Article XI, Section 6 that suggests that bipartisan agreement on a plan renders it presumptively constitutional, and we have flatly rejected that idea."[34]
State legislative maps enacted in 2021-2022
A federal court ruling on Ohio's legislative maps took effect on May 28, 2022, which ordered maps drawn by the Ohio Redistricting Commission in February be used for the 2022 elections and set a legislative primary date of August 2.[35] These maps took effect for Ohio's 2022 state legislative elections.
The Ohio Redistricting Commission approved new state legislative district maps by a 5-2 vote on September 16, 2021. The two Democratic members of the commission, state Rep. Emilia Sykes (D) and state Sen. Vernon Sykes (D), dissented.[36] Senate President Matt Huffman (R), a member of the commission, estimated that the new maps would create 62 Republican seats and 37 Democratic seats in the House, and 23 Republican seats and 10 Democratic seats in the Senate. Cleveland.com reported that Democrats on the commission agreed with Huffman's Senate estimates, but said the new House map would create 65 Republican seats and 34 Democratic seats.[36] Thus, under the terms of the state's 2015 constitutional amendment, since the legislative district boundaries were passed strictly along partisan lines, they would only allowed to be used for elections in 2022 and 2024, and the commission was required to enact a new map by 2026.[37]
However, on January 12, 2022, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled against the state's enacted legislative maps, ordering the Ohio Redistricting Commission to redraw them within 10 days.[38] The commission voted to approve a new set of maps in a 5-2 vote on January 22. Click here to view the House map, and click here to view the Senate map.
On February 7, the Ohio Supreme Court rejected the state's redrawn legislative maps and ordered the Ohio Redistricting Commission to submit new maps.[39][40] The commission did not meet the February 17 deadline.[41] On February 24, the Ohio Redistricting Commission voted 4-3 to approve new legislative maps. State Auditor Keith Faber (R) joined the two Democratic members of the commission in voting against the maps.[42]
On March 16, the Ohio Supreme Court rejected the redrawn legislative maps and ordered the Ohio Redistricting Commission to draw new maps by March 28.[43] On March 22, the commission agreed to appoint two independent consultants to assist in the map-making process.[44] State Sen. Vernon Sykes (D) nominated University of Florida political science professor Michael McDonald and state Rep. Bob Cupp (R) nominated National Demographics Corporation president Douglas Johnson.[45]
On March 28, the Ohio Redistricting Commission approved new state legislative district boundaries in a 4-3 vote. DeWine, La Rose, Huffman, and Cupp voted to approve the new boundaries, and Russo, Sykes, and Faber voted against.[46] The commission approved maps it had drawn, since the Senate map drawn by the independent consultants was not complete at the time of the vote.[47]
On April 14, the Ohio Supreme Court rejected the Ohio Redistricting Commission's legislative maps for the fourth time and ordered the commission to redraw the maps by May 6.[48] On April 20, in a 2-1 decision, a panel of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio issued an order saying it would not intervene to decide a primary date or map until May 28. If the state court proceedings did not produce a map by May 28, the court said it would order the primary to take place on August 2 using the third set of maps adopted by the Ohio Redistricting Commission.[49] The state court proceedings did not produce a map by May 28, so the order took effect.[35]
On May 5, the commission voted 4-3 to resubmit legislative maps it had previously submitted to the court on February 24.[50] DeWine, La Rose, Huffman, and Cupp voted to approve the boundaries, and Russo, Sykes, and Faber voted against.[51] The Ohio Supreme Court struck down the maps on May 25 and ordered the commission to redraw them by June 3.[52]
On May 27, in a 2-1 decision, a federal panel ordered the maps to be implemented for the 2022 election.[53]
2010
Ohio received its 2010 local census data in early March 2011. Although the state population showed net growth, Ohio's largest cities recorded population loss. Of the state's five largest cities only Columbus had population growth. Cleveland suffered the sharpest decline, losing 17.1% of its population.[54]
The Ohio Legislative Task Force on Redistricting, Reapportionment, and Demographic Research assisted the General Assembly and Ohio Apportionment Board in drafting new maps. Four of the five members of the Board were Republicans. By a vote of 4-1 they gave final approval to a new map on September 28, 2011. The lone Democrat on the Board, Rep. Armond Budish, opposed the map, saying it quarantines Democrats in 1/3 of the legislative districts.[55]
On January 4, 2012, Democrats filed suit against the legislative maps, saying they violated constitutional requirements for compactness and preservation of county and municipal boundaries. The Ohio Supreme Court took the case but, due to proximity to the 2012 elections, ruled the new maps would stand for the 2012 elections, with possible revisions to apply starting in 2014.[56]
Term limits
- See also: State legislatures with term limits
The Ohio legislature is one of 16 state legislatures with term limits. Voters enacted the Ohio Term Limits Act in 1992. That initiative limited Ohio senators to no more than two four-year terms, or a total of eight years. Ohio representatives were limited to no more than four two-year terms, or a total of eight years.[57]
The first year that the term limits enacted in 1992 impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was in 2000.
Legislators
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[58] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $71,099/year | No per diem is paid. |
When sworn in
Ohio legislators assume office the first day of January after a general election.[59]
History
Partisan balance 1992-2013
Ohio State Senate: During every year from 1992-2013, the Republican Party was the majority in the Ohio State Senate. The Ohio State Senate is one of 13 state senates that was Republican for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. Ohio was under Republican trifectas for the final three years of the study period.
Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state senates from 1992 to 2013.
Ohio State House of Representatives: From 1992-2013, the Republican Party was the majority in the Ohio State House of Representatives for 17 years while the Democrats were the majority for five years. Ohio was under Republican trifectas for the final three years of the study period.
Across the country, there were 577 Democratic and 483 Republican State Houses of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.
The chart below shows the partisan composition of the Office of the Governor of Ohio, the Ohio State Senate and the Ohio House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
.PNG)
SQLI and partisanship
- To read the full report on the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, click here.
The chart below depicts the partisanship of the Ohio state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. Ohio had Republican trifectas during most of the years of the study, from 1995-2006 and from 2011-2013. The state's highest SQLI ranking, finishing 20th, occurred in 1997 during a Republican trifecta. Its lowest ranking, finishing 38th, occurred from 2008-2010 during a divided government.
Constitutional amendments
In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.
The methods in which the Ohio Constitution can be amended:
The Ohio Constitution provides three mechanisms for amending the state's constitution—a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. Ohio requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments.
Initiative
- See also: Initiated constitutional amendment
According to Section 1a of Article II, citizens have the power to initiate constitutional amendments in Ohio. An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.
In Ohio, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 10% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
Ohio also requires initiative sponsors to submit 1,000 signatures with the initial petition application. Ohio has a signature distribution requirement, which requires that signatures be gathered from at least 44 of Ohio's 88 counties. Petitioners must gather signatures equal to a minimum of half the total required percentage of the gubernatorial vote in each of the 44 counties. Petitions are allowed to circulate for an indefinite period of time. Signatures are due 125 days prior to the general election that proponents want the initiative on.
Legislature
According to Article XVI, the state Legislature can refer constitutional amendments to the ballot for voters to decide. A 60% vote is required during one legislative session for the Ohio State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 60 votes in the Ohio House of Representatives and 20 votes in the Ohio State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
Convention
According to Section 3 of Article XVI of the Ohio Constitution, a question about whether to hold a state constitutional convention is to automatically appear on the state's ballot every 20 years starting in 1932. Ohio is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question.
The table below shows the last and next automatic constitutional convention question election years:
| State | Interval | Last question on the ballot | Next question on the ballot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 20 years | 2012 | 2032 |
2025 measures:
- See also: Ohio 2025 ballot measures
Certified:
- The following measures have been certified for the ballot.
No measures to list
Potential:
- The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2025.
No measures to list
2024 measures:
Below is a list of measures that were referred to the 2024 ballot by the legislature or that have made it approximately halfway through the process in the legislature for referral to the ballot in 2024.
- See also: Ohio 2024 ballot measures
Certified:
- The following measures have been certified for the ballot.
No measures to list
Potential:
- The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2024.
No measures to list
See also
| Elections | Ohio State Government | State Legislatures | State Politics |
|---|---|---|---|
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Ohio Legislative Budget Office, "Redistricting in Ohio: Members Brief," April 19, 2024
- ↑ Associated Press, "Bipartisan Ohio commission unanimously approves new maps that favor Republican state legislators," September 27, 2023
- ↑ Ohio Capital Journal, "Ohio Redistricting Commission adopts sixth version of Statehouse maps with bipartisan support," September 27, 2023
- ↑ 21 WFMJ, "Newly enacted district maps challenged by voting rights groups," October 5, 2023
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 AP, "Ohio Supreme Court dismisses 3 long-running redistricting lawsuits against state legislative maps," November 28, 2023
- ↑ Ohio Capital Journal, "Ohio Supreme Court dismisses redistricting challenge, leaving Statehouse maps in place," November 28, 2023
- ↑ Supreme Court of Ohio, "League of Women Voters v. Ohio Redistricting Commission," accessed September 11, 2024
- ↑ Statehouse News, "Federal court intervenes in Ohio redistricting, orders state to implement unconstitutional district maps," May 27, 2022
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, "Directive 2022-34," accessed May 28, 2022
- ↑ Statehouse News, "Federal court intervenes in Ohio redistricting, orders state to implement unconstitutional district maps," May 27, 2022
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, "Directive 2022-34," accessed May 28, 2022
- ↑ Multistate, "2020 Legislative Session Dates," accessed March 20, 2020
- ↑ The Ohio Legislature, "Session Schedule," accessed April 28, 2020
- ↑ News-Herald, "Anti-abortion bills, medical pot on Ohio lawmakers’ 2016 agenda," accessed January 6, 2016
- ↑ Cleveland.com, "Fireworks bill extinguished on last day of Ohio legislative session," accessed January 5, 2016
- ↑ www.stowsentry.com, "Minimum wage, Medicaid among priorities for Ohio Senate Democrats," January 21, 2015
- ↑ www.cleveland.com, "Ohio lawmakers' 2014 agenda includes budget changes, tax overhauls," accessed January 10, 2014
- ↑ The Columbus Dispatch, "Ohio Senate’s new leader brings aggressive style," January 6, 2013
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2011 Legislative Sessions Calendar," accessed June 6, 2014(Archived)
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2010 Legislative Sessions Calendar," accessed June 19, 2014(Archived)
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Separation of Powers: Executive Veto Powers," accessed January 26, 2024
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "The Veto Process," accessed June 22, 2017
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 Cincinnati.com, "Everyone complains about congressional gerrymandering. Ohio just did something about it." February 6, 2018
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 The Ohio Legislature, "Senate Joint Resolution 5," accessed February 6, 2018
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 Ohio Secretary of State, "House Joint Resolution Number 12," accessed April 21, 2015
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 Ohio Legislative Service Commission, "HJR 12 Final Analysis ," accessed April 21, 2015
- ↑ All About Redistricting, "Ohio," accessed May 8, 2015
- ↑ Ohio Legislative Budget Office, "Redistricting in Ohio: Members Brief," April 19, 2024
- ↑ Associated Press, "Bipartisan Ohio commission unanimously approves new maps that favor Republican state legislators," September 27, 2023
- ↑ Ohio Capital Journal, "Ohio Redistricting Commission adopts sixth version of Statehouse maps with bipartisan support," September 27, 2023
- ↑ 21 WFMJ, "Newly enacted district maps challenged by voting rights groups," October 5, 2023
- ↑ Ohio Capital Journal, "Ohio Supreme Court dismisses redistricting challenge, leaving Statehouse maps in place," November 28, 2023
- ↑ Supreme Court of Ohio, "League of Women Voters v. Ohio Redistricting Commission," accessed September 11, 2024
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 News 5 Cleveland, "Trump-appointed federal court judges end Ohio's redistricting battle, side with GOP," May 30, 2022
- ↑ 36.0 36.1 Cleveland.com, "Ohio Redistricting Commission approves new state legislative maps that maintain Republican supermajority despite anti-gerrymandering reforms," September 16, 2021
- ↑ Ohio Legislative Budget Office, "Redistricting in Ohio: Members Brief," April 19, 2024
- ↑ Court News Ohio, "New Ohio Legislative District Maps Unconstitutional," January 12, 2022
- ↑ Court News Ohio, "Revised Ohio House and Senate Maps Still Unconstitutional and Must Be Re-Drawn," February 7, 2022
- ↑ Ohio Supreme Court, "League of Women Voters of Ohio v. Ohio Redistricting Comm." February 7, 2022
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedcap217 - ↑ Cleveland.com, "Ohio Redistricting Commission approves state legislative map plan, again," February 25, 2022
- ↑ Court News Ohio, "Third Attempt at State House and Senate Maps Unconstitutional," March 16, 2022
- ↑ Tribune Chronicle, "Tue. 11:38 a.m.: Ohio mapmakers to meet on 4th set of statehouse districts," March 22, 2022
- ↑ WOSU, "Ohio Redistricting Commission will bring in two consultants to develop new Statehouse maps," March 22, 2022
- ↑ Cleveland.com, "Republicans on Ohio Redistricting Commission approve slightly revised version of rejected map, abandon bipartisan plan," March 28, 2022
- ↑ Cleveland.com, "Ohio Supreme Court again orders redistricting commission members to explain why they shouldn’t be held in contempt," March 30, 2022
- ↑ Statehouse News Bureau, "Ohio Supreme Court rejects fourth set of state legislative district maps," April 14, 2022
- ↑ Spectrum News 1, "Federal court decides to not interfere with legislative map redistricting, yet," April 20, 2022
- ↑ Ohio Capital Journal, "Ohio Redistricting Commission resubmits maps already rejected as illegal by supreme court," May 5, 2022
- ↑ Oxford Observer, "Redistricting Commission adopts maps previously rejected by Ohio Supreme Court," May 6, 2022
- ↑ KSTP, "Ohio’s high court rejects latest GOP-drawn Statehouse maps," May 25, 2022
- ↑ Ohio Capital Journal, "Federal court implements Statehouse maps twice declared unconstitutional by Ohio Supreme Court," May 27, 2022
- ↑ Examiner.com, "4 of 5 big Ohio cities, counties lose people, Whites still dominate, Census says," March 10, 2011
- ↑ The Columbus Dispatch, "Reapportionment: Maps tilt Ohio more to GOP," September 24, 2011
- ↑ Daily Jeffersonian, "No Ohio Redistricting Decision Before Election," February 19, 2012
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Chart of states with term limits," accessed February 16, 2021
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ Ohio Constitution, "Article II, Section 2: Election and term of state legislators," accessed February 2, 2023
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