Members are administered the oath of office on the first day of session.

The people of Ohio elect members of the Ohio Senate from 33 separate districts. Senate districts vary in geographic size, from part of a single city to several counties. Each state senator represents an equal number of people, serving approximately 344,000 constituents. Each Senate district is comprised of three House districts.

Under Ohio law, senators may serve up to two four-year terms or eight consecutive years. Each general election year, approximately half of the state Senate is on the ballot. Both newly elected and mid-term senators are sworn in on the first day of session, which marks the beginning of a new General Assembly.