North Dakota voters have approved a ballot measure that would bar congressional candidates from being over the age of 80 by the end of their term, with 61% of voters supporting the measure. While it will not immediately affect the current North Dakota congressional delegation, all of whom are under 70, the vote reflects concerns about the age of top US leadership. President Joe Biden, who is 81, and his potential Republican challenger, former President Donald Trump, are both approaching that age. The campaign for the measure was led by Jared Hendrix, who successfully applied term limits to other state positions in 2022. The measure was supported by the belief that while age can bring wisdom, there is a limit where physical and mental decline may occur. The measure faces potential legal challenges, as the Constitution does not have an upper age limit for members of Congress. The Supreme Court ruled in 1995 that states cannot add restrictions beyond those set by the Constitution. This vote in North Dakota is part of a growing movement to address concerns about the age of elected officials and the need for a balance between experience and potential decline in performance.
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