Congressional age limit proposed in North Dakota in potential test case for nation
North Dakota would be the first state to set an age limit for congressional candidates under a measure that could go before voters in June
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota would be the first state to set an age limit for U.S. Senate and House candidates under a measure that could go before voters in June, though it's unclear whether a state limit on federal officeholders would violate the U.S. Constitution.
The move comes at a time of heightened interest in the topic given the advanced age of some congressional leaders and the leading presidential candidates in both parties. At least one political observer said the move could be an effort to create a test case for the nation.
“It’s been an issue in North Dakota, it’s been an issue nationally,” said measure chairman Jared Hendrix, who led a successful 2022 initiative that set term limits for North Dakota’s governor and Legislature. “We don’t want to have those problems here, so it’s not some theoretical legal position. I mean, these are actual situations with real consequences." The sponsoring committee for the measure includes current and former lawmakers.
Supporters of the initiative on Friday submitted nearly 42,000 signatures, far more than the roughly 31,000 signatures required to qualify for the June 11 ballot. The secretary of state’s office has until March 15 to review the signatures.
