Term Limitation: the Will of the People
By Rense Johnson, Chairman, Citizens for Term Limits
In the 1990’s there was a move to place term limits on state legislatures across the country. All were imposed by the ballot initiative except for Louisiana, which amended its constitution. Of the 20 states to impose these limits only 15 have survived attacks by state courts or the legislators themselves to nullify the limits.
Original majorities ranged from 50% to 77%, with an average majority of 67%.
More recent 2002 polling by an organization unrelated to Citizens for Term Limits showed an increase in popularity in three selected states:
Arkansas 75% favorable, up from the 60% referendum majority in 1992;
Florida 78% favorable, up from the 77% referendum majority in 1992; and
Michigan 74% favorable, up from the 59% referendum majority in 1992.
A 2001 poll by the Oklahoman newspaper and Oklahoma University indicated 82% favorable, up from the 67% referendum majority in 1990, also enclosed.
In October, 2001 popular New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial organized a referendum to amend term limits out of that city’s charter so he could succeed himself beyond those limits. After spending a million dollars promoting the issue, Morial lost by a 61% – 39% margin.
New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani was ureged to ignore the term limit provision in that city’s charter and run again. New York polls told him otherwise and he refused to run, likely saving himself embarrassment.
U. S, Presidents have been term limited to two four-year terms since 1951, by the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution.
Thirty-six state governors are now term limited.
Term Limitation is the will of the people, nationwide.
