North Dakota Voters Approve Age Restrictions on Congressional Candidates

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
12/06/2024 18h48

The measure, which received 61% of the vote, bans individuals from running for a House or Senate seat in North Dakota if they could reach the age of 81 by December 31st of the year preceding the end of the term.

This first-of-its-kind measure has raised eyebrows across the nation, as it marks the first instance of age limits being imposed on candidates for federal office. However, it is also expected to face legal challenges in the near future.

Notably, the new amendment does not affect the current federal officeholders from North Dakota. While concerns about the ages of President Joe Biden, who is currently 81, and former President Donald Trump, turning 78 this week, have been raised by voters, this measure does not directly impact their eligibility for office.

The amendment has gained attention due to the increasing number of senators and members of Congress who are over the age of 80. North Dakota joins the ranks of those expressing reservations about the potential impact of older individuals serving in federal office.

Among the notable senators over 80 are Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Additionally, there are at least 10 members of Congress, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former Whip Steny Hoyer, who are over 80 years old.

Not everyone, however, agrees with the imposed age restrictions. Republican Senator Kevin Cramer, who is seeking his second full Senate term and won an unopposed primary in North Dakota on Tuesday, opposes the measure. Cramer argues that voters should have the freedom to choose whomever they want, regardless of their age.

With North Dakota taking the lead in implementing age restrictions on federal candidates, the nation now awaits how this groundbreaking measure will be received and whether it will stand up to legal challenges. The debate over the implications of age in politics continues, as voters and lawmakers grapple with questions surrounding the fitness and effectiveness of older individuals in leadership positions.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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