A ballot measure left voters to decide whether 81 is too old for some political jobs. It was one state’s answer to an issue that has been a focus of national debate this election cycle.
Surprisingly based from ND, to be completely honest
While I like the idea, I can’t imagine it would pass a constitutional test. However, an age limit that kicks in only after a person has been in an elected position for X years probably could. This would allow an 81 year old that had never held office to run for the first time and not be discriminated based on age.
It won’t survive a court challenge, as the Supreme Court already ruled on this back in 1995 in the case of U.S. Term Limits, Inc. v. Thornton. The ruling says that states can’t add additional eligibility requirements to be elected to or otherwise serve in federal office beyond what the constitution lists.
I think that one of the greatest things about the Constitution, the idea that it’s dynamic, has been lost to the result of FPTP–this two-party lock that won’t allow for any amendments. We now treat the document like a religious text instead of a tool we can and should update to be relevant and responsive when absolutely necessary.
But go off about how much I hate this country or whatever. I’m clearly very apathetic about its vision.
I always worry that putting so much on FPTP as the problem is going to backfire. I open to trying to move away from it, but it does make it a little cheaper for dark money to invest in a candidate’s image when they only have to maintain a strong showing vs overwhelming the 50% total tally.
It didn’t keep the UK from Brexit and the EU is moving to the right. FPTP may not the game changer we imagine, it may simply be a ‘grass is always greener’ scenario.
So you’re saying there is a constitutional provision to prevent young people from running for office but not old people?
Given that on average teenagers are, according to any testable criteria, smarter and saner than old people, maybe the constitution needs to be amended. Septuagenarians shouldn’t even be allowed to vote let alone run the fucking country.
While I like the idea, I can’t imagine it would pass a constitutional test. However, an age limit that kicks in only after a person has been in an elected position for X years probably could. This would allow an 81 year old that had never held office to run for the first time and not be discriminated based on age.
It won’t survive a court challenge, as the Supreme Court already ruled on this back in 1995 in the case of U.S. Term Limits, Inc. v. Thornton. The ruling says that states can’t add additional eligibility requirements to be elected to or otherwise serve in federal office beyond what the constitution lists.
You act like this Supreme Court is above completely throwing precedent out the window.
Let’s think outside the box. Make all elected officials felons after two terms :)
Being a felon is not a bar to federal office.
If only the Constitution was amendable.
…
Welp, back to our FPTP hellscape reality.
You think the US is a hellscape? Wow.
I think that one of the greatest things about the Constitution, the idea that it’s dynamic, has been lost to the result of FPTP–this two-party lock that won’t allow for any amendments. We now treat the document like a religious text instead of a tool we can and should update to be relevant and responsive when absolutely necessary.
But go off about how much I hate this country or whatever. I’m clearly very apathetic about its vision.
I always worry that putting so much on FPTP as the problem is going to backfire. I open to trying to move away from it, but it does make it a little cheaper for dark money to invest in a candidate’s image when they only have to maintain a strong showing vs overwhelming the 50% total tally.
It didn’t keep the UK from Brexit and the EU is moving to the right. FPTP may not the game changer we imagine, it may simply be a ‘grass is always greener’ scenario.
So you’re saying there is a constitutional provision to prevent young people from running for office but not old people?
Given that on average teenagers are, according to any testable criteria, smarter and saner than old people, maybe the constitution needs to be amended. Septuagenarians shouldn’t even be allowed to vote let alone run the fucking country.