Ohio Government/Constitution Practice Exam

What majority is required in the Ohio Legislature to pass a bill?

1. A two-thirds majority

2. A simple majority (more than half)

3. A three-fifths majority

4. A simple plurality

The correct answer is: A simple majority (more than half)

In the Ohio Legislature, a bill requires a simple majority to pass. A simple majority means that more than half of the members present must vote in favor of the bill. This reflects the standard legislative practice used in many states, where the effectiveness of the legislative process is streamlined to allow for efficient decision-making. A two-thirds majority is often required for specific actions, such as overriding a governor's veto or amending the state constitution, but it is not necessary for the standard passage of most bills. Similarly, a three-fifths majority is typically used for certain procedural matters, like cloture votes in other legislative contexts, but again, does not apply to the general passage of bills in Ohio. A simple plurality refers to receiving more votes than any other option but not necessarily more than half, which is not the requisite for passing legislation in Ohio. Thus, having a simple majority ensures that legislation can be enacted with broader support while avoiding the complications that come with higher thresholds.