NCSL: Idaho Makes Term Limits History

Idaho Makes Term Limits History

February 1, 2002

Idaho made history today, becoming the first state to repeal term limits. The governor vetoed the bill, but the Legislature overrode the veto on a vote of 26-8 in the Senate and 50-20 in the House. Idaho lawmakers said they felt that term limits proponents had been dishonest in their campaign to impose term limits, and that voters didn't get fair information about the real consequences of term limits.

Idaho's term limits were in their statutes, so the Legislature was able repeal them without a popular vote. In most states, term limits are part of the constitution and any change requires a popular vote. The only other states with statutory term limits are Maine, Utah and Wyoming.

Idaho's term limits, although they had yet to take effect, were among the most restrictive in the nation. They would have gone into effect in 2004. Legislators who had served a total of 8 of the last 15 years would have been barred from re-election, unless they ran as write-in candidates.

Term limits are under assault all over the country, not just in Idaho. A court challenge to Montana's legislative term limits is also pending. Oral arguments should begin next week, and the state supreme court is expected to issue a ruling before the March 21 candidate filing deadline. And Oregon's state supreme court declared their legislative term limits unconstitutional earlier this month. To read a summary of that case, click here.

For more information on term limits, click here.

To view the Idaho bill, click here.

For More Information on Term Limits

Jennie Drage Bowser tracks term limits, and may be reached at 303-364-7700 or elections-info@ncsl.org.