Socrative Partner Question
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Homework/In-Class Category
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Due by the end of class
• Enter Names
• How has the Ohio Constitution changed over
time? Use the following
link: http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/
• Compare the Ohio Constitution of 1803 and
1851. A) Ohio General Assembly B) Ohio
Governor C) Judicial Branch
• Other Important Dates for changes to the Ohio
Constitution: 1903, 1912, 1956, 1966, and 1992
Ohio Constitution
Over Time
Objective: I can explain how
the Ohio Constitution was
drafted in 1851 to address
difficulties in governing the
state of Ohio.
Ohio Constitution of 1803
• Creates Ohio General Assembly
• Bicameral-House of Representatives & Senate
• Senators unlimited 2 year terms
• Representatives unlimited 1 year terms
• 30 members of the House of Representatives
• 14 members of the Senate
• Each county guaranteed certain number of
members
Ohio Constitution of 1803
• General Assembly had to approve all
appointments the Governor made
• General Assembly selected Ohio’s judges
• Governor 2 Year Terms
• Governor could not veto
• Prohibited Slavery-honoring Northwest Ordinance
• All white men could vote-paid taxes or helped
build & maintain the state’s roads
• Convention failed to extend the right of suffrage to
African-American men in the Constitution by a
single vote
Ohio Constitution of 1851
• Both Houses serve 2 year terms
• Ohio voters elect judges and many state office
holders
• # of legislative members fluctuated each
session; each county is no longer guaranteed a
representative
Ohio Constitution of 1851
• 1803 Constitution required the Ohio Supreme
Court to meet once each year in every county in
the state—few counties existed in 1803
• Over the next 50 years the number counties
increased until it was virtually impossible for the
Supreme Court to fulfill its obligations under the
original constitution.
• Dropped this requirement
Ohio Constitution of 1851
• Gave Ohio voters the right to elect the governor,
other high-ranking state officials, and judges
• Use to have only two levels of courts within the
state, a third level of district courts was added
between the Ohio Supreme Court and common
pleas courts.
• Only adult white men who had resided in the state
for at least a one year could vote.
• Overwhelming delegates voted against extending
suffrage to African-American men and women of all
races.
Ohio Constitution of 1851
• The voters had to approve all constitutional
amendments in the future and received the option
to call a new constitutional convention every
twenty years.
• Governor could not veto
• Legislature had the power to tax, had to tax all
social classes at the same rate and could not
implement a lottery or a poll tax.
• Legislature also had the power to create new
counties with approval of the residents in proposed
county-last county created was Noble Countybefore Constitution took effect
Ohio Constitution of 1851
• To go into effect, Ohio voters had to approve
the constitution.
1903
• Ohio voters approved veto power for the
governor
• Each county guaranteed at least one member of
the Ohio House of Representatives
• All members of House would be at large
positions
Ohio Constitutional Convention
of 1912
• Decided not to create a new constitution
• Delegates wrote 41 potential amendments
• Proposed amendments presented to the citizens
of Ohio in special election on Sept. 3, 1912
• Voters approved 33 amendments and rejected
8 others
• Reflected Progressive reforms of this era
Ohio Constitutional Convention
of 1912
• Some amendments changed the legal process in
the state and reflected rights granted to the
accused under the Bill of Rights of the US
Constitution
• Amendments granted the state the power to
pass legislation that regulated working
conditions in factories, set an eight-hour day for
public works employees, and create a
mandatory workmen’s compensation system
Ohio Constitutional Convention
of 1912
• The initiative, the referendum, municipal home
rule, and direct primary elections were also
approved.
• Some amendments passed dealt with education
and conservation issues as well.
Ohio Constitutional Convention
of 1912
• Ohio voters did not approve amendments that
would have granted women the right to vote,
abolish the death penalty, allow the state to
regulate outdoor advertising, or provide for the
use of voting machines in elections.
• There was also an amendment that would have
removed the word “white” from the
constitution-Ohio voters refused to support this
amendment as well.
1956
• Ohio voters agreed to extend senator terms
from 2 years to 4 years
1966
• Federal courts declared apportionment
unconstitutional in Ohio
• Created a new system of apportionment
• 99 Ohio House of Representatives
• 33 Ohio Senators
• Districts based on population
1992
• State constitutional amendment limited
legislators to 8 years [2 terms] in the Ohio
Senate and 8 years [4 terms] in the Ohio House.
Essay Question
20 Points
Assessment Category
Due Thursday
• How has the Ohio Constitution changed over
time?
• Use the following
link: http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/
• Use today’s T-Chart and notes