Chapter 6 – The Legislative Branch
6.3 Membership
The Senate has 33 members called Senators; the House has 99 members called Representatives. One Senator is elected from each Senate district, and one Representative is elected from each House district.
Qualifications for Membership
To hold office as a Senator or Representative, a person must meet certain qualifications. A person must:
- Be a qualified voter (that is, be a citizen of the United States who is 18 years of age or older, a resident of Ohio for at least 30 days, a resident of the county and precinct in which he or she votes, and registered to vote for at least 30 days)
- Be elected to the office
- Be a resident of the Senate or House district from which the person was elected for at least one year before the election unless absent from the district on the public business of the United States or of Ohio
- Present a certificate of election (when sworn into office). A certificate of election is an official document issued by the appropriate electoral authority, confirming that a candidate has won an election and is duly elected to a specific office. This certificate serves as formal validation of the election results, indicating that the candidate has met all legal and procedural requirements and is recognized as the legitimate officeholder. The issuance of a certificate of election typically follows the final canvassing and certification of votes.
A Senator or Representative must take an oath or affirmation to support the United States and Ohio Constitutions and to faithfully discharge the duties of the office.
Foundational Fact
Article II, Section 3 of the Ohio Constitution sets specific qualifications for members of the General Assembly. To serve as a Senator or Representative, an individual must be a qualified voter, reside in their district for at least one year before the election, and be elected to the office. Additionally, upon taking office, legislators must present a certificate of election and take an oath or affirmation to support both the U.S. and Ohio Constitutions, as well as to faithfully discharge their duties.
Legislative Elections and Terms of Office
Elections to the Senate and House of Representatives are held in even-numbered years, marking the start of a new biennium, which is a two-year legislative period. Terms of office begin on January 1 of the odd-numbered year following the election. Senators are elected to four-year terms, with about half elected every two years. Senators from even-numbered districts are up for election at the same time, while Senators from odd-numbered districts are up for election two years later. Representatives are elected to two-year terms, meaning the entire membership of the House is subject to election every two years.
Term Limits
Under the Ohio Constitution, a person cannot hold the office of Senator for longer than two successive four-year terms. A person cannot hold the office of Representative for longer than four successive two-year terms.
Term limits for Ohio state legislators present both advantages and disadvantages. On the positive side, term limits can promote fresh perspectives and new ideas in the legislature, reduce the potential for entrenched political power, and encourage politicians to focus on their current duties rather than long-term career prospects.
However, they also have notable drawbacks, such as the loss of experienced lawmakers who have developed expertise and relationships crucial for effective governance. Additionally, frequent turnover can lead to a reliance on lobbyists and bureaucrats for institutional knowledge, potentially undermining legislative independence and continuity. Neither lobbyists nor government employees are directly held to account by the voters, whereas legislators are.
While term limits prevent members from serving more than eight consecutive years in either the House or Senate, they can bounce back and forth. For example, Matt Huffman served in the House for eight years, then the Senate for eight years, and was then reelected to the House in 2024.
Apportionment of Seats/Districts
Seats in both chambers of the Ohio legislature are apportioned by population. Legislators in the House represent smaller districts with fewer constituents, while senators represent larger districts.
Reference
Ohio Legislative Service Commission. 2023. Chapter 2 – The Legislative Branch in A Guidebook for Ohio Legislators. Columbus, OH, p. 16-18.
