[4] The second constitution of Ohio, effective in 1851, took away the power of the General Assembly to choose the state's executive officers, granting that right to the voters.

Under it, the state's population was divided by 100, with the resulting quotient being the ratio of representation in the House of Representatives.

To determine Senate districts, a similar procedure was followed; the starting point, however was figured by dividing the state's population by 35.

The ratios for the House and Senate and the resulting apportionment was determined by a board consisting of the governor, auditor, and secretary of state.In 1903, the apportionment system was modified by the Hanna amendment, which also gave the governor veto power over the assembly's acts, which could be overridden by a two-thirds vote of both houses.

However, several decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court surrounding the legal principal of one man, one vote mandated apportionment proportional to population.