Ohio
Ohio’s highest court is the Supreme Court of Ohio. The court has six justices and one chief justice. The chief justice is chosen by election for a six-year term. (Source: Ohio Constitution)
Judicial Selection
Justices on the Supreme Court of Ohio are selected through a partisan election, where multiple candidates may vie for the seat. The elected justice serves a six-year term. Justices may seek additional terms through partisan elections. When a seat opens in the middle of a justice’s term, the governor appoints a candidate to fill the vacancy. The appointed justice holds office until Ohio’s next general election more than 40 days after the vacancy occurred, unless the remainder of the term concludes within a year of said election, in which case the appointed justice serves the remainder of the unexpired term. If there is an election, the elected justice serves the remainder of the unexpired term. There are no term limits, however, a justice may not be appointed or elected after age 70.
State Constitution
Ohio has had two constitutions adopted in 1802 and 1851. As of January 1, 2024, it had 180 amendments. (Source: John Dinan, 2024)
Filters
Every State Supreme Court Justice in One Searchable Database
A new resource from the State Law Research Initiative lets users sort the nation’s high court justices by state, professional background, party affiliation, and more.
State and Local Courts Struggle to Fight Increasing Cyberattacks
Attacks in at least eight states over the last 18 months have crippled court systems, delayed justice, and cost millions.
How Courts Oversee Ballot Initiatives
State courts — and to some degree federal courts — play a significant role in every stage of the direct democracy process.
Center For Reproductive Rights Litigation Director Discusses the High Stakes of Abortion Litigation
State Court Report spoke with counsel for the plaintiffs challenging Texas’s strict abortion ban — which the state supreme court just ruled was constitutional.
New Findings Highlight Lack of Diversity on State Supreme Courts
More data and further scholarship is needed to devise policies for promoting a state bench that adequately represents the varied background of the public.
State Supreme Court ‘Shadow Dockets’: More Power with Less Transparency
State supreme courts are shaping the law and resolving some of the most consequential issues facing society in ways that are almost impossible for us to see.
Scholarship Roundup: End of Semester Edition
Recent articles address states taking policy questions away from courts, standing in election cases, and state shadow dockets.
The Arizona High Court Upheld A 160-Year-Old Abortion Ban. Now What?
Abortion law expert David Cohen talks about Arizona’s ongoing abortion litigation, a possible abortion amendment in the state, and the biggest threats to abortion rights nationwide.