State of Ohio ex rel. Davis v. Hildebrant

241 U.S. 565, 36 S. Ct. 708, 60 L. Ed. 1172 (1916)

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State of Ohio ex rel. Davis v. Hildebrant

United States Supreme Court
241 U.S. 565, 36 S. Ct. 708, 60 L. Ed. 1172 (1916)

JC

Facts

The state of Ohio amended its constitution in 1912, declaring legislative power to be vested not only in the general assembly, but also in allowing popular referendum to approve or disapprove any law that the general assembly enacted. Within a time after enactment of a law, on petition of 6 percent of Ohio voters, that law would then be placed on the ballot. If approved by a majority vote, the law would be enacted, and if no majority vote were received, the law would be void and have no effect. In May 1915, Ohio began reapportioning Congressional districts in the state legislature, with the legislature approving new maps for apportionment. However, after a duly completed petition, the general assembly’s legislative apportionment was voted against in a popular election. The main concern became whether that popular ballot must stand. The Constitution had mandated that the selection of senators and representatives would be prescribed by the legislature. A Congressional act in 1911 removed prior language that required that the states handle apportionment by the state legislature, instead requiring only that the choice be made in the manner provided by appropriate law. At the trial court level, the popular ballot was found to be legitimate—that the state had acted within its power, that nothing in the acts of Congress or the federal Constitution prohibited such action, and that the legislature’s apportionment was thus void. The state appealed to the United States Supreme Court.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (White, C.J.)

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