North Dakota voters have approved a ballot initiative to impose an age limit on candidates running for U.S. congressional seats from the state. The measure, believed to be the first of its kind in the United States, prohibits individuals from running or serving in the U.S. House or Senate if they would turn 81 years old or older during their term. This initiative, which garnered approval from a little over 60% of voters during the state’s primary election, is set to be implemented unless challenged in court, as several outlets have predicted.
The specific language of the measure states: “No person may be elected or appointed to serve a term or a portion of a term in the U.S. Senate or the U.S. House of Representatives if that person could attain 81 years of age by December 31st of the year immediately preceding the end of the term.” This age limit would not affect any current U.S. Congress members from North Dakota.
This decision comes amidst ongoing national discussions regarding the age and fitness for duty of legislative leaders and presidential candidates. Notably, the current 118th Congress is one of the oldest in American history, with a median age of 65 for U.S. senators, the highest on record. Among those over 80 are Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa (90), Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont (82), and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (82). Additionally, President Joe Biden, at 81, is the oldest sitting U.S. president and would be 86 by the end of a potential second term.
Critics argue that age does not necessarily equate to cognitive decline and that experience and wisdom are valuable attributes in leadership roles.
As North Dakota moves forward with this new constitutional amendment, the potential legal challenges it faces could set a precedent for similar measures in other states.
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