ND conservatives seek term limits for lawmakers

A group of conservative North Dakota lawmakers and Republican Party leaders have proposed a ballot measure to place term limits on the governor and members of the Legislature.

If Secretary of State Al Jaeger approves the petition, which he received today (Thu), petitioners would have one year to gather 31,164 signatures to put the measure to voters next year.

The initiative would add a new article to the state constitution, effective Jan. 1, 2023, imposing term limits of eight cumulative years each in the House and Senate.

The governor could not be elected more than twice.

More than 60 current lawmakers have served eight or more years.

Two Republicans, Sen. Ray Holmberg, of Grand Forks, and Rep. Bob Martinson, of Bismarck, have each served more than 40 years.

Ap