Justices by Term Since 1913

Until the Ohio Constitution was amended in 1912, the number of judges on the Supreme Court varied from three to six. On Sept. 3, 1912, the voters of Ohio approved an amendment fixing the membership of the court at the present size of seven judges, who currently are known as the chief justice and justices. Previously, the position of chief justice was not a separately elected office. Rather, the post of chief judge was rotated, with the judges picking the chief judge to serve for each annual session.

Two justices are chosen at the general election in even-numbered years. In the year when the chief justice runs, voters pick three members of the Court.

The chief justice and six justices are elected to six-year terms on a non-partisan ballot during the general election. However, candidates for the Supreme Court run on partisan ballots during the Ohio primary election. (Ohio is the only state to elect all of its judges via such a “hybrid” election system.)

The following chart indicates each Supreme Court term since the modern position of chief justice was created with the appointment of Chief Justice Hugh L. Nichols on Sept. 22, 1913. The names highlighted in bold represent the year the justice was sworn into office for a new, full six-year term. The two chief justices in italics were appointed after the sitting officeholder died in office. Neither was elected to the post. Appointments are made by the governor for vacancies occurring between elections.

The shading of the chart below shows the justices’ seats that are elected during the same year. The shading also indicates the two seats that are elected during the same year as that of the chief justice.

Justices 1803 to Present