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 6, 2025 |
| Website: | Official Legislature Page |
| Leadership | |
| Senate President: | Robert McColley (R) |
| House Speaker: | Matt Huffman (R) |
| Majority Leader: | Senate: Theresa Gavarone (R) House: Marilyn John (R) |
| Minority Leader: | Senate: Nickie Antonio (D) House: Dani Isaacsohn (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 5, 2024 |
| Next election: | November 3, 2026 |
| 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.
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 September 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 9 | |
| Republican Party | 24 | |
| 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 2024, 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's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Ohio State Senate election results: 1992-2024
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 | '22 | '24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 9 |
| Republicans | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 23 |
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 September 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 33 | |
| Republican Party | 65 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 1 | |
| Total | 99 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Republicans won control of the Ohio House of Representatives in 2010. In 2024, they won a 65-34 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Ohio House following every general election from 1992 to 2024. 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: 1992-2024
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 | '22 | '24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 53 | 43 | 39 | 40 | 39 | 37 | 40 | 46 | 53 | 40 | 39 | 34 | 33 | 38 | 35 | 32 | 34 |
| Republicans | 46 | 56 | 60 | 59 | 60 | 62 | 59 | 53 | 46 | 59 | 60 | 65 | 66 | 61 | 64 | 67 | 65 |
Elections
2026
Elections for the Ohio State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026. The primary is May 5, 2026. The filing deadline is February 4, 2026.
Elections for the Ohio House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026. The primary is May 5, 2026. The filing deadline is February 4, 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.[1][2]
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.[3][4]
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.
2025
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. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
2024In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 2, 2024, and adjourn on December 19, 2024. 2023In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 2, 2023, and adjourn on December 31, 2024. 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.[5][6] 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.[7] 2015
In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 5 through December 16.[8] Major issues in 2015Major issues during the 2015 legislative session included raising the minimum wage, expanding Medicaid eligibility, and increase accountability for charter schools.[9] 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.[10] 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.[11] 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.[12] 2010
In 2010, the legislature was in session from January 4 through December 31.[13] |
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:[14]
- 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.[14][15]
The governor is legally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the state legislature is legally required to pass a balanced budget.[14]
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.[16] |
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
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
Due to a 2022 Ohio Supreme Court ruling, the Ohio Redistricting Commission was required to draw new state legislative maps following the 2022 elections.[17]
On September 26, 2023, the Ohio Redistricting Commission voted 6-0 (with one member absent) to adopt new state legislative maps.[18][19] 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.[20]
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.[21] 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.[22]
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."[23]
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.[24]
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.[25]
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.[26]
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.[27]
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[28] | |
|---|---|
| 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.[29]
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 |
See also
| Elections | Ohio State Government | State Legislatures | State Politics |
|---|---|---|---|
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 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)
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 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
- ↑ Cleveland.com, "Ohio is about to hold elections for unconstitutional congressional and legislative districts. Here’s how it happened," October 9, 2022
- ↑ Ohio Capital Journal, "Ohio Redistricting Commission adopts sixth version of Statehouse maps with bipartisan support," September 27, 2023
- ↑ WCBE, "Ohio Redistricting Commission unanimously approves 6th version of House and Senate maps," September 27, 2023
- ↑ WFMJ, "Newly enacted district maps challenged by voting rights groups," October 5, 2023
- ↑ 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
- ↑ 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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