Ohio Senate facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ohio Senate |
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|---|---|
| 134th Ohio General Assembly | |
 |
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| Type | |
| Type | |
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Term limits
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2 terms (8 years) |
| History | |
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New session started
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January 4, 2021 |
| Leadership | |
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President of the Senate
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Matt Huffman (R)
Since January 4, 2021 |
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President Pro Tempore
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Jay Hottinger (R)
Since January 4, 2021 |
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Majority Leader
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Kirk Schuring (R)
Since January 4, 2021 |
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Minority Leader
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Kenny Yuko (D)
Since April 26, 2017 |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 33 |
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Political groups
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Majority
Minority
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Length of term
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4 years |
| Authority | Article II, Ohio Constitution |
| Salary | $60,584/year |
| Elections | |
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Last election
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November 3, 2020 (16 seats) |
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Next election
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November 8, 2022 (17 seats) |
| Meeting place | |
 |
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| Senate Chamber Ohio Statehouse Columbus, Ohio |
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The Ohio State Senate is an important part of the Ohio General Assembly. Think of it as one of the two main groups that make laws for Ohio. It is called the "upper house" because it works alongside the "lower house," which is the Ohio House of Representatives.
There are 33 State Senators in total. These senators meet at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. The person in charge of the Senate during meetings is called the President of the Senate. Right now, that person is Matt Huffman. The Republican Party currently has the most members in the Senate.
Senators serve for four years. Their terms are "staggered," which means not all senators are elected at the same time. About half of the senators are chosen every two years. This helps keep things stable. Senators can only serve two terms, which is a total of eight years.
Each Senator represents about 330,000 people in Ohio. Each Senate District is made up of three smaller Ohio House districts.
Contents
What is the Ohio Senate?
The Ohio Senate is where state laws are discussed and voted on. Senators work to represent the people in their districts. They make sure that the laws passed help the citizens of Ohio.
How Senators Are Chosen
Senators are elected by voters in their districts. The elections happen every two years for about half of the Senate. This system ensures that new voices are regularly brought into the government.
The senators from districts with even numbers are elected in years that can be divided by four (like 2020, 2024). Senators from districts with odd numbers are elected in even years that cannot be divided by four (like 2022, 2026).
Who Leads the Ohio Senate?
The Ohio Senate has several leaders who help it run smoothly. These leaders are chosen by the senators themselves.
| Presiding Leaders | ||
|---|---|---|
| President of the Senate | Matt Huffman | |
| President Pro Tempore | Jay Hottinger | |
The President of the Senate is the main leader. They lead the meetings and help decide what issues the Senate will focus on. The President Pro Tempore steps in if the President is not available.
Party Leaders
Each political party in the Senate also has its own leaders. These leaders help their party members work together and decide on important issues.
| Majority Leadership | ||
|---|---|---|
| Majority Floor Leader | Kirk Schuring | |
| Majority Whip | Rob McColley | |
| Minority Leadership | ||
| Minority Leader | Kenny Yuko | |
| Assistant Minority Leader | Cecil Thomas | |
| Minority Whip | Nickie Antonio | |
| Assistant Minority Whip | Tina Maharath | |
The Majority Leader is the main leader for the party with the most members. The Minority Leader is the main leader for the party with fewer members. Whips help make sure all members of their party vote together on important issues.
Other Important Roles
The Senate also has other staff who help with its daily work.
The Clerk is an important officer. The Clerk keeps official records of all the bills and decisions made by the Senate. They also handle documents from other government groups.
How the Senate is Organized
The Ohio Senate has 33 members. Currently, the Republican Party has 25 members, making it the majority. The Democratic Party has 8 members, forming the minority. This balance of parties can change after elections.
The Senate's job is to create and approve laws that affect everyone in Ohio. They work on issues like education, roads, and healthcare.
Images for kids
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This map shows the different Senate districts in Ohio. Each color represents the political party of the senator for that district.
