CA: Increase the membership of the General Assembly
Summary
SJR1 proposes a constitutional amendment to expand the Ohio General Assembly, increasing the House of Representatives from 99 to 153 members and the Senate from 33 to 51 members, with the change taking effect on January 1, 2033. The measure would be submitted to voters at the November 3, 2026 general election. It also updates the constitutional language governing staggered Senate terms so that, in the transition year, some newly elected senators would serve two-year terms and others four-year terms to preserve staggered elections.
The resolution also revises the state’s legislative redistricting provisions to fit the larger legislature. It keeps the Ohio Redistricting Commission as the body responsible for drawing legislative districts, but the constitutional text is rewritten to refer to 153 House districts and 51 Senate districts, while preserving the existing framework for population equality, contiguity, county and municipal split limits, public hearings, and commission voting requirements. The bill includes transition rules for the 2032 election cycle and for senators whose districts change after redistricting.
Impact
If approved by voters, this proposal would amend the Ohio Constitution and directly change the size and structure of the General Assembly, requiring new district maps and a revised apportionment scheme. It would affect Article II and Article XI of the Ohio Constitution, alter the number of legislative districts, and require the Redistricting Commission to draw 153 House districts and 51 Senate districts beginning with the 2032-2033 transition. The measure would also affect election administration, district numbering, and the assignment of sitting senators during the transition period.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no documented floor or committee sentiment in the materials supplied. Based on the text alone, the proposal appears to be a structural reform measure rather than a policy bill, with its support or opposition likely to turn on views about legislative size, representation, and redistricting fairness. The caption suggests the bill is framed as an increase in representation, but the available record does not show formal debate or vote outcomes.
Contention
The main points of contention are likely to be whether Ohio should enlarge the legislature at all, whether a larger General Assembly would improve representation or instead increase cost and complexity, and how the new districting rules would be implemented during the transition. Another likely issue is the redistricting process itself, because the bill preserves the commission model and its voting thresholds while changing the number of districts, which could raise concerns about partisan balance, county splitting, and how incumbents are assigned to new districts. No specific objections or supporters are identified in the provided record.
To amend sections 3505.01 and 3505.10 of the Revised Code to modify the deadline for a political party to certify its nominees for President and Vice-President to the Secretary of State.
To delay the deadline for a major political party to certify its presidential and vice presidential candidates to the Secretary of State for the 2024 general election.
To amend sections 3517.12, 3517.13, and 3517.155 of the Revised Code to modify the Campaign Finance Law regarding foreign nationals and statewide initiatives and referenda and to declare an emergency.
To amend sections 3517.12, 3517.13, and 3517.155 of the Revised Code to modify the Campaign Finance Law regarding foreign nationals and statewide initiatives and referenda and to declare an emergency.