(KNOX) – A new survey of 600 North Dakotans shows 80% support term limits for state lawmakers, though many expressed confusion over the 2022 ballot measure that established them.
The survey results, part of a new report on the impact of legislative term limits, will be discussed by the Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee.
North Dakota voters passed a constitutional ballot measure in 2022 with 63% voter support that prohibits state lawmakers from serving more than eight years in the House and eight years in the Senate. The amendment also limits the North Dakota governor to two terms in office.
After the ballot measure was passed, some state lawmakers said they believed North Dakotans thought they were voting for term limits for members of Congress, not the state Legislature.
The survey, compiled for the legislative committee by Garty Consulting, found that 40% of respondents incorrectly believed the term limit measure affected North Dakota members of Congress with an additional 30% saying they were unsure if it affected Congress.
Meanwhile, North Dakota voters may soon weigh in again on term limits.
Lawmakers in 2025 passed a resolution that proposes modifying term limits to allow legislators to serve up to 16 years in either chamber of the Legislature, rather than eight years in the House and eight in the Senate. It also clarifies that partial terms don’t count toward the term limit. That proposal is set to go to voters in November, though a lawsuit by term supports seeks to block it from going to the ballot. It’s under consideration by the North Dakota Supreme Court.
Michael Achterling/ ND Monitor
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