Government of Ohio facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Government of Ohio

Great Seal of the State of Ohio
Polity type	Presidential republic Federated state
Constitution	Constitution of Ohio
Legislative branch
Name	General Assembly
Type	Bicameral
Meeting place	Ohio Statehouse
Upper house
Name	Senate
Presiding officer	Rob McColley, President
Lower house
Name	House of Representatives
Presiding officer	Matt Huffman, Speaker
Executive branch
Head of State and Government
Title	Governor
Currently	Mike DeWine
Appointer	Election
Cabinet
Name	Cabinet
Leader	Governor
Deputy leader	Lieutenant Governor
Headquarters	Ohio Statehouse
Judicial branch
Name	Judiciary of Ohio
Courts	Courts of Ohio
Supreme Court
Chief judge	Sharon Kennedy
Seat	Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center, Columbus

The government of the U.S. state of Ohio helps run the state. It makes sure laws are followed and services are provided. Ohio's government is divided into three main parts: the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. This setup is explained in the Constitution of Ohio and the state's laws.

Executive Branch: Running the State

This branch carries out the state's laws every day. It includes six officials chosen by voters across the state. These officials lead different parts of the government. They also have many staff members and employees who help them.

All these officials are elected for four-year terms. They run as members of a political party. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor are elected together on one ballot.

Departments: Helping the Governor

The state government has many departments. These departments help the Governor manage different areas of the state. They are like specialized teams that handle specific tasks.

Here are some of the main departments:

• Department of Administrative Services (manages state property and services)
• Department of Aging (helps older Ohioans)
• Department of Agriculture (supports farming and food safety)
• Office of Budget and Management (handles the state's money)
  

  The Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus
• Department of Commerce (helps businesses and consumers)
• Department of Development (works to grow Ohio's economy)
• Department of Developmental Disabilities (supports people with developmental disabilities)
• Department of Education (oversees schools)
• Environmental Protection Agency (protects Ohio's environment)
• Department of Health (promotes public health)
• Department of Insurance (regulates insurance companies)
• Department of Job and Family Services (helps families with jobs and other services)
• Department of Medicaid (provides health care for low-income residents)
• Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (helps with mental health and addiction issues)
• Department of Natural Resources (manages state parks and natural resources)
• Department of Public Safety (ensures public safety)
• Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (runs prisons and correctional facilities)
• Department of Taxation (collects state taxes)
• Department of Transportation (manages roads and transportation)
• Department of Veterans Services (supports military veterans)
• Department of Youth Services (helps young people in the justice system)

Legislative Branch: Making Laws

The House of Representatives Chamber of the Ohio Statehouse

The legislative branch is called the Ohio General Assembly. Its main job is to create laws for the state. It has two parts, like two separate teams: the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The House of Representatives has 99 members. Each member represents a specific area of Ohio. The Senate has 33 members. Each Senate district is made up of three House districts. Senators serve four-year terms, but their terms are staggered. Representatives serve two-year terms.

The General Assembly also helps decide the boundaries for Ohio's 15 seats in the United States House of Representatives. The Ohio Apportionment Board draws the lines for the state legislative districts.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

For a bill to become a law, both the Senate and the House of Representatives must approve it. After both houses agree, the bill goes to the Governor. The Governor can sign the bill, and then it becomes a law.

If the Governor does not agree with a bill, they can veto it. This means they reject the bill. However, the General Assembly can still make the bill a law. They need a special vote called a "three-fifths supermajority" in both houses. If they get enough votes, the bill becomes a law even without the Governor's signature. A bill also becomes a law if the Governor does not sign or veto it within 10 days.

Judicial Branch: Interpreting Laws

The judicial branch is in charge of interpreting the laws. It makes sure laws are applied fairly. The highest court in Ohio is the Ohio Supreme Court. It has one chief justice and six other justices. Each justice is elected for a six-year term. Their terms are staggered.

The Ohio Supreme Court building in Columbus

There are several other types of courts in Ohio:

• State Court of Claims: This court handles lawsuits against the State of Ohio.
• State Courts of Appeal: There are 12 of these courts. They review decisions made by lower courts.
• County Courts of Common Pleas: Each of Ohio's 88 counties has one of these courts. They handle major civil and criminal cases. In busy areas, they might have special divisions for things like juvenile cases or family matters.
• Municipal Courts and County Courts: These courts handle smaller issues. This includes traffic tickets, minor crimes, and small claims.

Judges in Ohio are usually elected by the people. However, judges for the Court of Claims are assigned by the chief justice. If a judge's position becomes empty temporarily, the chief justice also assigns someone to fill it.

Local Government: Serving Communities

Columbus City Hall

Besides the state government, Ohio also has several levels of local government. These include counties, cities, villages, townships, and school districts. They provide services closer to where people live.

Counties

Ohio is divided into 88 counties. Most counties have a government with three county commissioners. They also have a sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, and other officials. Some counties, like Summit and Cuyahoga, have chosen a different type of government.

Cities and Villages

There are two types of incorporated municipalities: cities and villages. If a community has 5,000 or more residents, it is a city. If it has fewer, it is a village. Municipalities can make their own rules and laws. Most have elected mayors and city councils. City governments often provide more services than county governments. These services include police forces and paid fire departments.

Cleveland City Hall

Townships

The entire area of Ohio is covered by townships. Townships are governed by a board of three trustees. If a city or village grows to cover an entire township, the township government might stop existing as a separate entity.

School Districts

Ohio has over 600 school districts. These districts provide education from kindergarten through 12th grade. There are also vocational school districts that offer job training. Each school district is managed by an elected board of education. These boards make decisions about local schools.

See also

• Politics of Ohio
• Law of Ohio