Ohio Constitution

Ohio General Assembly (OGA)

Name of Ohio's State Legislature

1802 Ohio Constitution

3 Branches, Legislature given most power, Governor no veto, OGA elect all executive officers except Governor and justices, OGA corrupt

Abuses under 1802 Ohio Constitution

All state judges removed, Ohio Supreme Court Justice removed, state debt increased

1803

Ohio becomes a state after constitution approved by Congress and Thomas Jefferson

17th

Ohio was 17th state to join the Union

1851 Ohio Constitution

Weakened OGA, popular vote elect executive officers and justices, Lt Gov and Attorney General created, no retroactive laws, OGA still dominant branch

Ohio Governor post-1851

Gov 2 terms/4 years each with term limit, give State of the State address, Commander-In-Chief of Ohio's militia, can call a special session

Initiatives

The people of Ohio place an issue directly on ballot after completing petition process; if passed becomes constitutional amendment

Referendums

OGA or State Legislature votes to put an issue before Ohio voters

Both US and Ohio Constitutions

Preamble, Rule of Law, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, Division of Powers (Federalism and State/smaller entities like cities), Amendment Process, Bill of Rights, 3 Branches, frequent popular elections to limit legislative corruption

Rule of Law

well defined law that everyone obligated to follow

In Ohio Constitution but not US Consitution

Barred slavery, right to education, equal rights for women