“87% of Americans support term limits, regardless of political affiliation” is a phrase that those who have been following Term Limits for the past year would easily recognize. No one doubts the validity of it, it’s a fact that can be proved without a moment’s hesitation, but it leads to another question: outside of these statistics and U.S. Term Limits, is it an issue that truly breathes a life of its own? The answer is a resounding yes, and one of the main ways this was demonstrated during the election season is ballot initiatives. While there were a few losses, the majority of these initiatives rang true- with the golden state holding many of these victories.
This election, 28 ballot initiatives pertaining to term limits were tracked by USTL. California held twelve of them. While not all of the measures passed, residents of several counties and municipalities now enjoy term limits that have been enacted or protected in for mayor, council, and other elected officials. Additionally, there were many other local initiatives that passed term limits ballot initiatives, including: Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Oregon, and last but not least, Texas.
Speaking of the Lone Star state, it’s important to note some of the tactics politicians may try to employ in order to successfully, albeit unfairly, extend their term limits. Those who follow us on Facebook might remember the “VOTE NO ON PROP A!” memes that had been circulating for prior to the election. In short, it turns out that the ballot initiative language was deceitful, so much so that it appeared as if 12- year term limits would be implemented while the reality is a YES vote would increate the length of terms to 12 years instead of 8. Fortunately, Prop A failed because the voters were well informed.
It is exhilarating to witness the age of the American spirit fighting for term limits on local ballots, for they belong to every level of government. If this wasn’t the consensus of American citizens, then issues this important to them would not only remain scarce on the local ballot, but not have the majority pass with north of 70% in favor of the change. Yes, there is nothing truly more satisfying than the prospect of finally being able to have their voices ring louder, and ring clearer. Remember that this is only just the beginning— there will surely be more to come in the future, for as long as you all support term limits as wholeheartedly as before.
CLICK HERE FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF LOCAL TERM LIMITS INITIATIVES.