Ohio State Senate
General Information
Party control:	Republican
Session start:	January 5, 2026
Session end:	December 31, 2026
Term length:	4 years
Term limits:	2 terms (8 years)
Redistricting:	Commission
Salary:	$72,343/year
Members
Total:	33
Democrats:	9
Republicans:	24
Other:	0
Vacancies:	0
Leadership
President:	Robert McColley (R)
Maj. Leader:	Theresa Gavarone (R)
Min. Leader:	Nickie Antonio (D)
Elections
Last election:	November 5, 2024
Next election:	November 3, 2026

TheOhio State Senate is theupper chamber of theOhio General Assembly. Alongside theOhio House of Representatives, it forms the legislative branch of the Ohio state government and works alongside thegovernor of Ohio to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Ohio State Senate include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The Ohio State Senate meets at the Ohio Statehouse inColumbus.

This page contains the following information on the Ohio State Senate.

• Which partycontrols the chamber
• The chamber'scurrent membership
• Partisan control of the chamberover time
• Elections in the chamber and how vacancies are filled
• Adistrict map
• Howredistricting works in the state
• Legislation currently under consideration
• Legislative session dates
• Legislative procedures, such as veto overrides and the state budget process
• A list ofcommittees

Party control

Current partisan control

The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Ohio State Senate as of February 2026:

Members

Leadership

Each legislative session, the president of the Senate, a member of the majority caucus, is chosen by all members of the Senate. The majority and minority caucuses select their respective leaders.^[1]

Leadership and members

• Senate president:Robert McColley (R)
• Majority leader:Theresa Gavarone (R)
• Minority leader:Nickie Antonio (D)

Salaries

See also:Comparison of state legislative salaries

Swearing in dates

See also:When state legislators assume office after a general election

Ohio legislators assume office the first day of January after a general election.^[3]

Membership qualifications

See also:State legislature candidate requirements by state

Article 2, Section 3 of theOhio Constitution states: "Senators and representatives shall have resided in their respective districts one year next preceding their election, unless they shall have been absent on the public business of the United States, or of this State."^[4]

Article 15, Section 4 of theOhio Constitution states: "No person shall be elected or appointed to any office in this state unless possessed of the qualifications of an elector."^[5]

Article 2, Section 5 of theOhio Constitution states: "No person hereafter convicted of an embezzlement of the public funds, shall hold any office in this state; nor shall any person, holding public money for disbursement, or otherwise, have a seat in the general assembly, until he shall have accounted for, and paid such money into the treasury."^[6]

Historical party control

Republicans won control of the Ohio State Senate in 1984. In2024, they won a 23-9 majority with one vacancy.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Ohio Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Trifecta history

Astate government trifecta is a term that describes single party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023, Ohio was under the following types of trifecta control:

• Democratic trifecta: None
• Republican trifecta: 1995-2006, 2011-2023
• Divided government: 1992-1994, 2007-2010

Elections

Elections by year

Ohio state senators serve staggered,four-year terms, and half of the Senate is up for election every two years. Ohio holds elections for its legislature in even years.

2026

See also:Ohio State Senate elections, 2026

Elections for theOhio State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026. The primary isMay 5, 2026. The filing deadline wasFebruary 4, 2026.

2024

See also:Ohio State Senate elections, 2024

Elections for theOhio State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was onNovember 5, 2024. The primary wasMarch 19, 2024. The filing deadline wasDecember 20, 2023.

Heading into the 2024 elections, Republicans held a 26-7 majority. After the election, the Republican majority was 24-9.

2022

See also:Ohio State Senate elections, 2022

Elections for theOhio 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 Courtrejected the state legislative maps approved by the Ohio Redistricting Commission. On May 28, 2022, Secretary of StateFrank LaRose called for the primary to be held on August 2.^[7][8]

In the November 2022 election, Republicans increased their majority in the Ohio State Senate from 25-8 to 26-7.

2020

See also:Ohio State Senate elections, 2020

Elections for the office ofOhio 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.

In the November 2020 election, Republicans expanded their majority in the Ohio State Senate from 24-9 to 25-8.

2018

See also:Ohio State Senate elections, 2018

Elections for theOhio 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.

In the 2018 elections, Republicans increased their majority in the Ohio State Senate from 23-9 to 24-9.

2016

See also:Ohio State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for theOhio 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. A total of16 seats out of the 33 seats in theOhio State Senate were up for election in 2016.

Heading into the election, Republicans held a 23-10 majority. Republicans gained one seat in the election, giving them a 24-9 majority.

Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2000

2014 See also:Ohio State Senate elections, 2014 Elections for theOhio State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 6, 2014. The general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 5, 2014. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 23-10 majority. No partisan change occurred in the election. Ohio State Senate Party As of November 3, 2014 After November 4, 2014      Democratic Party 10 10      Republican Party 23 23 Total 33 33 2012 See also:Ohio State Senate elections, 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 onNovember 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was December 7, 2011. Atotal of 16 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 23-10 majority. No partisan change occurred in the election. Ohio State Senate Party As of November 5, 2012 After the 2012 Election      Democratic Party 10 10      Republican Party 23 23 Total 33 33 During the2012 election, the total value of contributions to the 36 Senate candidates was $12,648,369. The top 10 contributors were:[9] 2012 Donors, Ohio State Senate Donor Amount Republican Senate Campaign Cmte of Ohio $2,948,557 Ohio Republican Party $589,951 Ohio Democratic Party $181,958 American Electric Power $148,736 Firstenergy Corp $132,550 Ohio Senate Democrats $132,255 Ohio Association of Realtors $132,000 Ohio Education Association $130,273 Wholesale Beer & Wine Association of Ohio $129,667 King Strategic Communications $108,777 The following table details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election. 2012 Margin of Victory, Ohio State Senate District Winner Margin of Victory Total Votes Top Opponent District 30 Lou Gentile 4.8% 157,287 Shane Thompson District 18 John Eklund 9.4% 166,316 Jim Mueller District 2 Randy Gardner 16.6% 175,432 Jeff Bretz District 24 Thomas Patton 17.9% 176,839 Jennifer L. Brady District 22 Larry Obhof Jr. 18.7% 159,225 James E. Riley District 20 Troy Balderson 19% 150,736 Teresa M. Scarmack District 26 Dave Burke 20.5% 142,796 Tanyce J. Addison District 10 Chris Widener 22.6% 155,631 Jeff D. Robertson District 8 Bill Seitz 22.9% 170,596 Richard G. Luken District 6 Peggy Lehner 24.8% 169,969 Rickey E. McKiddy 2010 See also:Ohio State Senate elections, 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 onNovember 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was February 18, 2010. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 21-12 majority. Republicans gained two seats in the election, giving them a 23-10 majority. Ohio State Senate Party As of November 1, 2010 After the 2010 Election      Democratic Party 12 10      Republican Party 21 23 Total 33 33 During the2010 election, the total value of contributions to the 57 Senate candidates was $10,478,510. The top 10 contributors were:[10] 2010 Donors, Ohio State Senate Donor Amount Republican Senate Campaign Cmte of Ohio $2,463,124 Ohio Republican Party $1,246,811 Ohio Republican State Senate Campaign Cmte $482,625 Republican Senate Campaign Cmte $325,958 Ohio Democratic Party $213,780 Schneider, Michelle G $151,000 Wholesale Beer & Wine Association of Ohio $146,030 Ohio Senate Democrats $145,500 SEIU Healthcare District 1199 $125,451 Ohio Dental Association $122,600 2008 See also:Ohio State Senate elections, 2008 Elections for the office of Ohio State Senate consisted of a primary election on March 4, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. During the 2008 election, the total contributions to Senate candidates amounted to $10,964,869. The top 10 contributors were:[11] 2008 Donors, Ohio State Senate Donor Amount Republican Senate Campaign Cmte of Ohio $3,056,587 Ohio Republican Party $655,903 Ohio Senate Democrats $230,899 Ohio Association of Realtors $159,700 Ohio Democratic Party $132,472 Brennan, David L $122,500 Wholesale Beer & Wine Association of Ohio $102,670 Ohio State Medical Association $83,850 Firstenergy Corp $83,500 Citizens for Gillmor $70,670 2006 See also:Ohio State Senate elections, 2006 Elections for the office of Ohio State Senate consisted of a primary election on May 2, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. During the2006 election, the total value of contributions to the 48 Senate candidates was $14,040,261. The top 10 contributors were:[12] 2006 Donors, Ohio State Senate Donor Amount Republican Senate Campaign Cmte of Ohio $2,911,762 Ohio Republican Party $970,751 Ohio Senate Democrats $849,418 Ohio Democratic Party $269,664 Ohio Association of Realtors $196,850 Brennan, David L $137,500 Ohio Education Association $133,550 Wholesale Beer & Wine Association of Ohio $127,650 Ohio Dental Association $105,334 Firstenergy Corp $95,000 2004 See also:Ohio State Senate elections, 2004 Elections for the office of Ohio State Senate consisted of a primary election on March 2, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. During the2004 election, the total value of contributions to the 40 Senate candidates was $10,212,918. The top 10 contributors were:[13] 2004 Donors, Ohio State Senate Donor Amount Republican Senate Campaign Cmte of Ohio $2,146,563 Ohio Republican Party $411,732 Ohio Democratic Party $325,765 Ohio Association of Realtors $90,500 Ohio House Republican Campaign Cmte $90,340 Ohio Education Association $86,800 Wholesale Beer & Wine Association of Ohio $76,400 Muskingum County Democratic Party $72,474 Brennan, Ann Amer $70,000 Ohio Automobile Dealers Association/Dealers Investment Group $69,600 2002 See also:Ohio State Senate elections, 2002 Elections for the office of Ohio's State Senate consisted of a primary election on May 7, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. During the2002 election, the total value of contributions to the 38 Senate candidates was $11,901,512. The top 10 contributors were:[14] 2002 Donors, Ohio State Senate Donor Amount Republican Senate Campaign Cmte of Ohio $3,998,806 Ohio Democratic Party $869,985 Ohio Republican Party $443,802 Ohio Senate Democrats $156,754 Montgomery County Republican Party $134,510 Ohio Education Association $120,550 Democratic National Cmte $100,000 Wholesale Beer & Wine Association of Ohio $80,613 Ohio Association of Realtors $65,500 Ohio Society of CPAS $62,654 2000 See also:Ohio State Senate elections, 2000 Elections for the office of Ohio State Senate consisted of a primary election on March 21, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. During the2000 election, the total value of contributions to the 41 Senate candidates was $8,804,029. The top 10 contributors were:[15] 2000 Donors, Ohio State Senate Donor Amount Republican Senate Campaign Cmte of Ohio $779,059 Ohio Senate Democrats $296,782 Ohio Republican Party $280,412 Ohio Democratic Party $203,827 Ohio Education Association $151,069 Ohio House Republican Campaign Cmte $114,395 Ohio Society of CPAS $83,639 Ohio Association of Realtors $77,630 Wholesale Beer & Wine Association of Ohio $76,784 Ohio State Medical Association $67,900

Term limits

See also:State legislatures with term limits

TheOhio legislature is one of16 state legislatures with term limits. Voters enacted theOhio Term Limits Act in 1992. That initiative limited Ohio senators to no more than two four-year terms, or a total of eight years.^[16]

The first year that theterm limits enacted in 1992 impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was in 2000.

Vacancies

See also:How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in theOhio General Assembly, the vacancy must be filled by an election conducted by the members of the legislative house where the vacancy happened who are members of the party that last held the seat. A simple majority vote is needed in order to approve a replacement.^[17]

See sources:Ohio Const. Art. 2, Sec. 11

District map

See also:Ohio state legislative districts

The state of Ohio has 33 state Senate districts. Each district elects one senator.

Use the interactive map below to find your district.

Redistricting

See also:Redistricting in Ohio

In Ohio, the state legislature or a commission may have the opportunity to draw congressional maps. A bipartisan state legislative commission draws state legislative maps. A six-member advisory commission is involved in both the congressional and state legislative redistricting processes.

2020

See also:Redistricting in Ohio after the 2020 census

Due to a 2022Ohio Supreme Court ruling, the Ohio Redistricting Commission wasrequired to draw new state legislative maps following the 2022 elections.^[18]

On September 26, 2023, the Ohio Redistricting Commission voted 6-0 (with one member absent) to adopt new state legislative maps.^[19][20] 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.^[21]

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., andOhio Organizing Collaborative et al. v. Ohio Redistricting Commission et al.^[22] Chief JusticeSharon 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.^[23]

The majority was composed of the court's four Republicans.

JusticeJennifer 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 ona plan renders it presumptively constitutional, and we have flatly rejected that idea."^[24]

2010

See also:Redistricting in Ohio after the 2010 census

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.^[25]

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.^[26]

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. TheOhio 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.^[27]

Sessions

Legislation

The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the Ohio State Senate has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Senate to the House and legislation that has already been approved by both chambers and signed by the governor. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated byBillTrack50.

Dates of legislative sessions in Ohio by year

2025

See also:2025 Ohio legislative session andDates of 2025 state legislative sessions

In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 6, 2025, and adjourn on December 31, 2025.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

2024 See also:2024 Ohio legislative session andDates of 2024 state legislative sessions In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 2, 2024, and adjourn on December 19, 2024. 2023 See also:2023 Ohio legislative session andDates of 2023 state legislative sessions In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 2, 2023, and adjourn on December 31, 2024. 2022 See also:2022 Ohio legislative session andDates of 2022 state legislative sessions In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 19, 2022, and adjourn on December 15, 2022. 2021 See also:2021 Ohio legislative session andDates of 2021 state legislative sessions In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 4, 2021, and adjourn on December 31, 2021. 2020 See also:2020 Ohio legislative session andDates of 2020 state legislative sessions In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 6, 2020, and adjourn on December 31, 2020. Effect of coronavirus pandemic See also:Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020 Coronavirus pandemic Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsBallotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemicSubmit Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. TheOhio State Legislature suspended legislative activity on an uncertain date. The House reconvened on May 6, 2020. The Senate reconvened on May 13, 2020.[28][29] 2019 See also:2019 Ohio legislative session andDates of 2019 state legislative sessions In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 7, 2019, through December 31, 2019. 2018 See also:2018 Ohio legislative session andDates of 2018 state legislative sessions In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 2, 2018, through December 31, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, clickhere. 2017 See also:Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 2, 2017, through December 31, 2017. 2016 See also:Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 5 through December 31. Major issues in 2016 Major 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.[30] 2015 See also:Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 5 through December 16.[31] Major issues in 2015 Major issues during the 2015 legislative session included raising the minimum wage, expanding Medicaid eligibility, and increase accountability for charter schools.[32] 2014 See also:Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 7 through December 31. Major issues in 2014 Major 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.[33] 2013 See also:Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 7 to December 31. Major issues in 2013 Keith Faber (R) took over aspresident 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.[34] 2012 See also:Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 3 to December 31. 2011 See also:Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 3 through December 31.[35] 2010 See also:Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions In 2010, the legislature was in session from January 4 through December 31.[36]

About legislative sessions in Ohio

TheTenth Amendment of theU.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.^[37] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions,legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

Article II of the Ohio Constitution establishes when theOhio General Assembly, of which the Senate is a part, 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 theGovernor 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.

Legislative roles and procedures

Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includesveto overrides,the role of the legislature in the state budget,procedures for filling membership vacancies, andprocedures for filling membership vacancies.

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.

Are there other special rules?

Authority:Article II, Section 16 of theOhio Constitution.

Role in state budget

See also:Ohio state budget and finances

Ohioon

Check outBallotpedia articles about policy in your state on:

Budgets •Civil liberties •Education •Elections •Energy •Environment •Healthcare •Pensions

The state operates on a biennial budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:^[39]

1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies inJuly of the year preceding the start of the new biennium.
2. State agencies submit their requests to thegovernor betweenSeptember and October.
3. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to thestate legislature inFebruary (the deadline is extended toMarch 15 for a newly elected governor).
4. The legislature typically adopts a budget inJune. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The biennium beginsJuly 1 of odd-numbered years.

Ohio is one of 44 states in which the governor hasline item veto authority.^[39][40]

The governor is legally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the state legislature is legally required to pass a balanced budget.^[39]

Committees

See also:List of committees in Ohio state government

Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

• Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
• Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
• Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The Ohio State Senate has 18 standing committees:

Constitutional amendments

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process forreferring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states,initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are alsomany other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Ohio Constitution can be amended:

See also:Section 1a, Article II andArticle XVI of the Ohio Constitution andLaws governing ballot measures in Ohio

TheOhio 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 toSection 1a of Article II, citizens have the power to initiate constitutional amendments in Ohio. Aninitiated constitutional amendment is acitizen-initiated ballot measure that amends astate's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.

In Ohio, thenumber 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 signaturedistribution 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

See also:Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

According toArticle 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 theOhio State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 60 votes in theOhio House of Representatives and 20 votes in theOhio State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Convention

See also:Convention-referred constitutional amendment

According toSection 3 of Article XVI of theOhio Constitution, a question about whether to hold a state constitutional convention is toautomatically 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:

See also

Elections	Ohio State Government	State Legislatures	State Politics
Ohio State Senate elections, 2026 Ohio State Senate elections, 2024 Ohio State Senate elections, 2022 Ohio State Senate elections, 2020 Ohio State Senate elections, 2018	Ohio General Assembly Ohio House of Representatives Governor of Ohio Ohio Supreme Court	State legislative elections, 2026 State legislative elections, 2025 State legislative elections, 2024 State legislative elections, 2023 State legislative elections, 2022 State legislative elections, 2021 State legislative elections, 2020 State legislative elections, 2019	State government trifectas State government triplexes State executives State courts Ballot measures The State Legislative Decade

External links

• Ohio State Senate

Footnotes

	v • e State ofOhio Columbus (capital)
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