Lame Duck Ahead

[November 1, 2024]

With Election Day next week that means the lame duck session is also nearing. The approximately six-week period between the election and the swearing-in of a new General Assembly has been referred to as “the wild west of lawmaking” when the normal process is thrown out the window and lawmakers who are not coming back in the new session have no accountability to voters.

Collectively, there are more than 100 Ohio legislative seats on the ballot, though only a fraction of them are considered to be truly competitive races.

Any bills that have not been approved by the close of this session are considered dead and are not carried over when the new General Assembly starts next year. Bills need to be reintroduced, given a new number, and make their way again through the legislative process. See a list of all the health care bills from this General Assembly here.

Newly elected legislators formally take office on the first Monday in January. The budget process for State Fiscal Year 2026-2027 will be among their top legislative priorities.

Choosing the next Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives will be a priority for Republican state reps. Speaker-challenger Sen. Matt Huffman (R-Lima) is looking to not only switch legislative chambers in this election but also to unseat current Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill). That vote is expected November 20.