Omar Bennett
The Ohio Constitution of 1851 has been amended numerous times since its adoption, with 170 amendments made as of 2018. The constitution can be amended through legislative, citizen-initiated, or convention-referred processes, all of which require voter approval. Amendments can be proposed by the General Assembly with a three-fifths majority, and any amendments suggested by future conventions must be put to a vote. The constitution has been updated to address concerns such as taxation, state debt, gerrymandering, and political favoritism. It has also expanded the bill of rights, provided for voter-led initiatives, and established civil service protections. The process of amending the Ohio Constitution has evolved over time, with requirements for passing amendments loosening after 1912, leading to most amendments occurring post this date.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of articles | 16 |
| Number of sections | 169 |
| Number of amendments | 170 |
| Length | 31 pages |
| Dimensions | 13 x 21 inches |
| Voter eligibility | White male citizens |
| Suffrage | No |
| Supreme Court mandate | No longer required to visit every county each year |
| Amendment process | Legislative, citizen-initiated, or convention-referred |
| Commission | Governor, state auditor, and secretary of state |
| Commission revisions | 60 amendments, many passed |
| Commission sunset date | 2020 |
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What You'll Learn
- The 1851 Ohio Constitution has been amended 170 times
- Amendments include expanding the bill of rights and setting a minimum wage
- Amendments are made through legislative, citizen-led, or convention-referred processes
- The constitution did not expand suffrage, limiting voting rights to white male citizens
- The constitution was drafted in 1850-1851 by a convention of 35 delegates
The 1851 Ohio Constitution has been amended 170 times
The Ohio Constitution of 1851 has been amended 170 times, with most amendments occurring after 1912 when the requirements for passing amendments were loosened. The constitution has been amended multiple times since its passage, with the most recent amendment being approved by voters on November 7, 2023. The process of amending the Ohio Constitution involves a legislative, citizen-initiated, or convention-referred constitutional amendment, all of which require voter approval.
The original 1851 constitution had 16 articles and 169 sections, while the present document has 19 articles and 225 sections. The constitution was drafted in response to concerns about excessive taxation, mounting state debt, gerrymandering, and political favouritism. It addressed these issues by expanding the governor's powers and removing the requirement for the Supreme Court to visit every county each year.
The 1851 constitution also introduced a Bill of Rights, outlined the powers of the three branches of government, and provided for voter-led initiatives and referendums. Additionally, it established civil service protections and granted the governor a line-item veto in appropriations. The constitution has been amended multiple times to keep up with social changes, such as Ohio's shift from an agricultural to an industrial society.
The process of amending the Ohio Constitution has evolved over time. Initially, the constitution provided for amendment only by convention, with voters rejecting an attempt in 1819. However, the 1851 constitution introduced a provision that automatically put a convention call on the ballot every twenty years, allowing each generation to revisit the constitution. The General Assembly can propose constitutional amendments by a three-fifths majority, and all amendments proposed by future constitutional conventions must be approved by voters.
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Amendments include expanding the bill of rights and setting a minimum wage
The 1851 Ohio Constitution has been amended 170 times as of 2018, with most amendments occurring after 1912 when the requirements for passing amendments loosened. The process of amending the constitution involves a legislative, citizen-initiated, or convention-referred constitutional amendment, all of which require voter approval. Notable amendments include the expansion of the bill of rights and the establishment of a minimum wage.
The 1851 Constitution of Ohio was drafted by a convention between 1850 and 1851, addressing the disproportionate power of the General Assembly compared to the executive and judicial branches. The constitution was subsequently adopted in a statewide referendum on June 17, 1851, and took effect on September 1 of the same year.
The 1912 Ohio Constitutional Convention, composed of progressive delegates, drafted and submitted a series of amendments to the 1851 Constitution. These amendments included an expansion of the state's bill of rights, providing for voter-led initiatives and referendums, establishing civil service protections, and granting the governor a line-item veto in appropriations.
While the specific details of the minimum wage amendment are not readily available, it is worth noting that the 1851 Constitution addressed economic concerns, such as state debt, and provided checks and balances on power, including granting the governor veto power in 1903.
The Ohio Constitution has continued to evolve, with voters approving a new amendment as recently as November 7, 2023, demonstrating the state's commitment to adapting its governing document to meet the needs of its citizens.
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Amendments are made through legislative, citizen-led, or convention-referred processes
The Ohio Constitution of 1851 has been amended numerous times, and the document still governs the state today. Amendments to the Ohio Constitution can be made through legislative, citizen-led, or convention-referred processes.
The legislative process involves the General Assembly, which can propose constitutional amendments to voters by a three-fifths majority. The General Assembly has played a significant role in the amendment process, with the power to control the redistricting process and propose changes to address issues like gerrymandering.
The citizen-led process, or citizen-initiated process, was established through a constitutional amendment in 1912. This process empowers citizens to propose and vote on amendments, allowing for direct democracy and ensuring that the voices of Ohio citizens are heard in the amendment process.
The convention-referred process involves constitutional conventions, which have been held multiple times since 1851. During these conventions, delegates come together to discuss and propose amendments. The proposed amendments are then submitted to the voters for approval. The 1851 Constitution introduced a provision for an automatic convention call on the ballot every twenty years, ensuring that each generation has the opportunity to review and amend the constitution if needed.
Through these three processes, the Ohio Constitution has been amended over 170 times. The amendments have addressed various aspects of governance, including the expansion of the bill of rights, the establishment of voter-led initiatives, and reforms to address issues such as excessive taxation, mounting state debt, and political favoritism. The amendment process has played a crucial role in shaping the state's framework and adapting it to the changing needs and demographics of Ohio.
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The constitution did not expand suffrage, limiting voting rights to white male citizens
The Ohio Constitution of 1851 did not expand suffrage, limiting voting rights to white male citizens. This exclusion of African Americans and women from the political process was a direct result of the delegates' decisions during the constitution's drafting and ratification.
The 1851 Constitution's limitation of voting rights to white male citizens was a deliberate choice that stood in stark contrast to the demands of the burgeoning women's suffrage movement in Ohio. The 1850 Ohio Women's Rights Convention, the first planned and led by women outside of New York, collected thousands of signatures to present to the 1850 Ohio Constitutional Convention, advocating for suffrage "regardless of color or sex." Despite these efforts, the delegates to the convention overwhelmingly voted against both women's suffrage and African-American suffrage, instead restricting voting rights to white men.
This decision had enduring consequences, as the exclusion of women and African Americans from the political process persisted for decades. Even as other states made strides toward suffrage for all, Ohio continued to grapple with this issue. In 1873, women brought a petition with nearly 8,000 signatures to the Ohio constitutional convention, but their proposal for equal suffrage was never put before the electors and failed by just four votes. In 1894, women in Ohio gained the right to vote in school board elections, marking a small step forward.
It wasn't until 1912, more than six decades after the 1851 Constitution was adopted, that the state took a significant step toward expanding suffrage. During the Progressive Era, a constitutional convention was held in Columbus, Ohio, and delegates drafted and submitted a series of amendments to voters, including one that would have granted women the right to vote. Despite strong conservative opposition, voters adopted 34 of the 42 proposed amendments, but female suffrage was among those rejected.
It is worth noting that while the 1851 Constitution restricted voting rights, it did provide for future amendments. The constitution included a provision that automatically placed a convention call on the ballot every twenty years, allowing each generation to revisit and potentially amend the document. This mechanism played a crucial role in the ongoing struggle for suffrage reform in Ohio, as activists continued to push for a more inclusive definition of voter eligibility.
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The constitution was drafted in 1850-1851 by a convention of 35 delegates
The Ohio Constitution of 1851 was drafted by 35 delegates who met at a convention in 1850-1851. This was the second state constitution for Ohio, the first having been drafted in 1802 as a prerequisite for statehood. The 1851 constitution was drafted in response to concerns about excessive taxation, mounting state debt, gerrymandering, and widespread political favouritism in the granting of corporate charters.
The convention was presided over by William Medill, who would become Ohio's 22nd governor two years later. The delegates addressed several concerns about the 1803 version of the constitution. They expanded the governor's powers, though they did not give him veto power. They also reduced the powers of the General Assembly, which had previously held most of the power, including unlimited terms in office and broad appointment powers.
The 1851 constitution also reflected the shift in Ohio from a predominantly agricultural society to an industrialised one. It ended the requirement for the Supreme Court to visit every county each year, as the number of counties in Ohio had increased significantly by the 1850s. The constitution also introduced a Bill of Rights and outlined the powers of the three branches of government.
The proposed constitution was approved by voters on June 17, 1851, and became effective on September 1 of that year. Since then, the constitution has been amended 170 times as of 2018, with further amendments approved in 2023.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2018, the Ohio Constitution of 1851 has been amended 170 times. Since then, voters have approved three additional amendments, with the latest one being approved on November 7, 2023. In total, the constitution has been amended 173 times.
The Ohio Constitution of 1851 can be amended with a legislative, citizen-initiated, or convention-referred constitutional amendment. All amendments require voter approval. The General Assembly can propose constitutional amendments to voters by a three-fifths majority.
The Ohio Constitution of 1851 has been amended to include a Bill of Rights, spell out powers of the three branches of government, address taxation and debt, and end the requirement for the Supreme Court to visit every county each year.
The Ohio Constitution of 1851 has been amended multiple times since its passage. Most amendments occurred after 1912, when the requirements for passing amendments loosened.
