Just recently, the North Dakota Supreme Court has ruled that the term limits proposition must appear on the voting ballot this November 2022. In the event that voters approve this proposed constitutional change, future governors and state legislators will only be able to serve two four-year terms. A “no” vote will reject the implementation of term limits in the state.

Having term limits would allow for an amazing change in the state legislature. Politicians would no longer be concerned about doing things to keep their jobs, and be more concerned with actually doing real work for their constituents. And who is mostly opposed to term limits? The elected officials in office who would suddenly become subject to such term limits. Even the President of the United States has an 8-year term limit. If term limits are acceptable for those in the highest positions, why should North Dakota politicians get to have a lifetime political ride?

A system of rotation is a crucial correction to imbalances that inevitably hurt newcomers and favor incumbents. It prevents the government from developing into a society where an overwhelming amount of power is held by the few people who are continually elected into office.

On the contrary, individuals who are against term limits contend that institutional expertise will no longer be of any use. Well, perhaps the public would be better off without technical expertise given the history of the legislature.

It is asked whether setting term limits has the negative effect of excluding people who deserve to be in office based on their own merits. However, it is ridiculous to believe that there is only one qualified candidate for any particular seat.

What about the mistake of maintaining officials in office who ought to be removed? On the other side, those individuals who are ejected from politics in their heyday still have productive lives remaining ahead of them. They may seek different political positions or engage in other constructive activities.

In conclusion, while it is possible to take responsibility for the errors made when officials are removed from office, it is far more difficult to act against long-standing elected officials who have the power to fortify their positions. Therefore, instituting term limits is a sensible and historically acceptable course of action.

When this change gets approved on November 8th, the residents of North Dakota will enter a new age of governance. Picture this: more vacant rooms welcoming new voices and ideas, fewer career politicians leading to more voter engagement, and a fairer political environment for ND for years to come.