Ohio Constitution Quiz

When were the ohio constitutional conventions?

1802,1851,1912

When was the first ohio constitution made

1802

When were the biggest changes to the ohio constitution made?

1851 (made a whole new constitution

When were mostly just amendments added to the ohio constitution

1912

What are the reasons for the demand for change to the 1803 constitution

1) no amendment changing process

2) huge debt of $20 million

3) legislative branch was too powerful

4) lack of courts

5) Perception of corruption

Why was Ohio $20 million in debt

Economic problems,

Bank failures,

Poor Money spending

How was the legislative branch too powerful

They appointed judges

* appointed/ choice executive branch (governor and Secretary of State

What changes were made in the 1851 ohio constitution pertaining to money?

$750,000 debt limit

* money had to be spent on what it was appropriated for
* Taxes had to be for a reason
* Poll taxes outlawed

Who signed the laws making ohio a state?

Thomas Jefferson

What happened in 1802?

The enabling act for Ohio to become a state was passed

When Ohio became a state

1803

What is the legislative body in ohio called

General assembly

How many senates does Ohio have

33

How many representative does Ohio have?

99

What did the 1803 constitution require?

The state to provide financial aid for railroads, canals, and road companies

Who did Ohio invest in to build canals, RR, and roads?

Private companies

* if the company failed, the state lost money

What changes were made to the executive branch in the 1851 constitution?

* elected by the people
* 4 year terms (rather than 2 years)
* Created more offices (2-5)
* Governor is given more power

What are the new offices?

* governor and Secretary of State (1803)
* Auditor
* Treasurer
* Attorney general
* Lt. governor

What changes were made to the legislative branch in the 1851 constitution

* took away power to appoint executive/ judicial branch members
* No more retroactive laws (laws that are passed today that pertain to the past)
* Money must be appropriated properly
* All laws had to apply equally (couldn’t favor some groups like 1802)

What changes were made to the judicial branch

A. Elected judges (6 year terms)


1. More judges (local counties can create more)

B. Ended Supreme Court travel requirements

C. Created 3 levels of courts- supreme courts/district court/common pleas

What are the 3 levels of courts

1) Supreme Court

2) district court

3) common pleas court