Jonah Patel
The Ohio Constitution, first adopted in 1851, is the state constitution of Ohio. It is the second constitution in the state's history and has been amended 170 times, with most amendments occurring after 1912. The original 1851 constitution had 16 articles and 169 sections. The current document has 19 articles and 225 sections.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Articles | 16 |
| Number of Sections | 169 |
| Date Adopted | June 17, 1851 |
| Effective Date | September 1, 1851 |
| Number of Amendments | 34 of 42 proposed amendments |
| Number of Delegates | 119 |
| Number of Democrats | 62 |
| Number of Republicans | 52 |
| Number of Independents | 3 |
| Number of Socialists | 2 |
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What You'll Learn
The original Ohio Constitution was adopted in 1851
The Ohio Constitution is the state constitution of Ohio. Ohio has had two state constitutions. The original Ohio Constitution was adopted in 1851 and had 16 articles and 169 sections. It was drafted in 1850-1851 by a convention, as directed by voters, to redress the checks and balances of power. The constitution was subsequently adopted in a statewide referendum on June 17, 1851, and took effect on September 1 of the same year.
The original constitution was in place from Ohio's statehood in 1803 until 1851, when the second constitution was adopted. The second constitution has been amended many times and is still in effect today. The current constitution has 19 articles and 225 sections, with 170 amendments having been made so far.
The Ohio Constitution can be amended with a legislative, citizen-initiated, or convention-referred constitutional amendment, but all amendments require voter approval. The process for passing amendments was loosened after 1912, which is why most amendments occurred after this date.
The constitution begins with a preamble: "We, the people of the State of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and promote our common welfare, do establish this Constitution." The original constitution included a bill of rights, which stated that "all men are, by nature, free and independent, and have certain inalienable rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and seeking and obtaining happiness and safety." It also asserted that "all political power is inherent in the people" and that government is instituted for their "equal protection and benefit."
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It had 16 articles and 169 sections
The original Ohio Constitution, which came into effect on September 1,
The original constitution has undergone numerous amendments over time. In 1912, a constitutional convention proposed 42 amendments, of which 34 were approved by voters, constituting a sweeping change that led most legal scholars to consider it a new "1912 Constitution." These amendments expanded the state's bill of rights, instituted voter-led initiatives and referendums, established civil service protections, and granted the governor a line-item veto in appropriation. Notably, female suffrage, the use of voting machines, and the abolition of the death penalty were among the rejected amendments.
The Ohio Constitution has continued to evolve through subsequent amendments. In 1969, the General Assembly established the Ohio Constitutional Revision Commission, which recommended amendments to the constitution, resulting in significant changes. The current Ohio Constitution, as of the latest update in 2023, has been amended 173 times, now containing 19 articles and 225 sections.
The constitution-making process in Ohio exemplifies the dynamic nature of governance and the ongoing pursuit of a more perfect union. The evolution of Ohio's constitution over time reflects the state's responsiveness to the changing needs and values of its citizens, ensuring that the foundational principles of liberty and equality are upheld and adapted to contemporary contexts.
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It has been amended 170+ times
The Ohio Constitution has been amended over 170 times since its adoption in 1851. This is perhaps unsurprising given the length of time it has been in force, and the fact that Ohio has had two state constitutions. The original 1851 constitution had 16 articles and 169 sections, and the present document has 19 articles and 225 sections.
The Ohio Constitution is the fundamental document that outlines the state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters. The ability to amend the constitution is an important feature of its design, allowing it to adapt to changing circumstances and the evolving needs of the people of Ohio.
Amendments to the constitution are proposed by the legislature or by citizen initiative, and they must be approved by the voters of Ohio. The process of amending the constitution has been used to address a wide range of issues, from establishing a bill of rights and providing for voter-led initiatives, to empowering the legislature to fix the hours of labour and establish a minimum wage.
One notable example of an amendment occurred in the Progressive Era, when a convention in 1912 drafted and submitted to voters a series of amendments to the 1851 Constitution. These amendments were far-reaching and included expanding the state's bill of rights, providing for voter-led initiatives, and establishing civil service protections. This wave of amendments was so significant that most legal scholars consider it to have become a new "1912 Constitution".
The most recent amendment to the Ohio Constitution occurred on November 7, 2023, when voters approved Issue 1. This demonstrates the ongoing evolution of the constitution and its adaptability to the needs of the people of Ohio.
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It was drafted to address issues with the General Assembly
The Ohio Constitution is the state constitution of Ohio. Ohio has had two state constitutions. The first was in effect from 1803, when Ohio became a state, until 1851. The current Ohio Constitution was drafted in 1850-51 and took effect on September 1, 1851. It is comprised of 16 articles and 169 sections.
The current constitution was drafted to address issues with the General Assembly, which had become disproportionately powerful compared to the executive and judicial branches. Much of the state's business was conducted through private bills, and partisan disagreements greatly hindered the state government's ability to function. The General Assembly was widely perceived as corrupt, subsidizing private companies and granting special privileges in corporate charters. State debt also increased dramatically between 1825 and 1840.
The 1851 constitution introduced checks and balances to address these issues. It included provisions such as the requirement that the style of the state's laws be "Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio." It also stipulated that no senator or representative could be appointed to any civil office under the state during their term or within one year after it ended. Additionally, it stated that the General Assembly would determine the authority and process for the trial of contested elections.
The 1851 constitution also established a Board of Public Works, consisting of three members elected by the people. This board was responsible for overseeing public works projects in the state.
Despite the reforms introduced by the 1851 constitution, further changes were sought in the early 20th century. In 1912, a constitutional convention was held in Columbus, Ohio, with 119 delegates in attendance, including members of various political parties. Rather than proposing an entirely new constitution, this convention focused on amending the existing one. The delegates proposed 42 amendments, 34 of which were approved by voters. These amendments addressed various progressive issues, including the expansion of the state's bill of rights, the establishment of voter-led initiatives and referendums, civil service protections, and the governor's line-item veto power.
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It has been revised and amended by commissions and conventions
The Ohio Constitution provides three mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. A simple majority vote (50% plus 1) is required for voters to approve constitutional amendments. Ohio has held four state constitutional conventions, including in 1802 and 1850-1851. The third state constitutional convention was held in 1873-1874, but voters rejected the revised constitution. The fourth convention, in 1912, drafted and submitted to the voters a series of amendments to the 1851 Constitution, including expanding the state's bill of rights, providing for voter-led initiatives and referendums, and establishing civil service protections.
In 1969, the General Assembly established the Ohio Constitutional Revision Commission, which made a number of recommendations to the General Assembly regarding amendments to the constitution. The legislature submitted sixty amendments to the people, many of which were passed. A similar commission, the Ohio Constitution Modernization Commission, was established in 2011 but was terminated before its intended sunset date of 2020, with most of its recommendations not proposed.
In addition to commissions, there have been several attempts to amend the constitution through the legislative process. For example, in 1999, voters approved a constitutional amendment to permit the sale of bonds to fund Ohio schools, but the supreme court held the system to be unconstitutional. The Ohio Constitution has also been amended to address a range of issues, such as empowering the legislature to fix the hours of labor, establish a minimum wage, and create a workers' compensation system.
The requirements for passing amendments have loosened since 1912, which has led to most amendments occurring after that year. In total, there have been 170 amendments made to the original 1851 constitution, which had 16 articles and 169 sections. The present document has 19 articles and 225 sections.
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Frequently asked questions
The original Ohio Constitution of 1851 had 16 articles and 169 sections.
The Ohio Constitution has been amended 170 times since 1851. Most amendments occurred after 1912, when the requirements for passing amendments loosened.
The original Ohio Constitution was in effect from 1803, when Ohio became a state, until 1851, when the second constitution was adopted.
Yes, several notable amendments have been made to the Ohio Constitution. In 1912, voters approved 34 of 42 proposed amendments, including expanding the state's bill of rights, establishing civil service protections, and granting the governor a line-item veto. In 1999, voters approved an amendment to permit the sale of bonds to fund Ohio schools.
