S.J.R. K: COMMITTEE SUMMARY - CONSTITUTIONAL AGE REQUIREMENT

Senate Joint Resolution K (as introduced 4-22-97)

Date Completed: 1-26-98

CONTENT

The joint resolution proposes an amendment to Article IV, Section 7, and Article V, Section 22, of the State Constitution to remove the age requirements for the office of governor, lieutenant governor, or a member of the Legislature, thus establishing the age of eligibility for these offices as 18 years old.

Currently, under Article V, Section 22, to be eligible for the office of governor or lieutenant governor, a person must be at least 30 years old and have been a registered elector in Michigan for four years preceding his or her election. The joint resolution provides instead that to be eligible for the office of governor or lieutenant governor a person would have to be an elector in Michigan.

Currently, under Article IV, Section 7, to be eligible to be a member of the Legislature, a person must be at least 21 years old and an elector of the district he or she represents. The joint resolution would eliminate the age requirement. The joint resolution would retain the requirement that a member of the Legislature be an elector of the district he or she represents.

Under Article II, Section 1 of the State Constitution, every U.S. citizen who is 21 years old and meets other specified requirements is considered an elector; however, the 26th amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides that a person who is 18 years old or older cannot be denied the right to vote "...by any State on account of age".

The joint resolution would have to be submitted to the voters at the next general election.

- Legislative Analyst: G. Towne

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

- Fiscal Analyst: B. BowermanS9798\SSJRKSA

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.