THE QUESTIONShould California candidates for Congress be able to voluntarily sign a non-binding declaration to serve no more than three terms (six years) in the House of Representatives or two terms (12 years) in the U.S. Senate? THE SITUATIONThe U.S. Constitution does not limit the number of terms that U.S. representatives or senators may serve in Congress. In 1992, California voters adopted Proposition 164 to limit California's U.S. congressional representatives to six 2-year terms and U.S. senators to two 6-year terms. At least 22 other states have passed similar proposals. None of the congressional term limit proposals have taken effect, however, because the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1995 that states do not have the right to change the qualifications for federal elected offices without a constitutional amendment. Since then, nine states have passed legislation similar to Proposition 27, allowing congressional candidates to voluntarily declare their intentions to limit their terms in office. Several states have enacted some form of term limits for their state legislators. In 1998, The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Proposition 140, California's 1990 term limit measure. It limits state assembly members to three 2-year terms and state senators to two 4-year terms. THE PROPOSAL· Congressional candidates would be allowed, but not required, to declare whether or not they intend to limit their terms in office. · With the candidates' permission, election ballots and state-sponsored voter education material would state whether they signed a term-limit pledge or declined to sign a pledge. · If a candidate who signs a pledge to limit his or her term is elected, the pledge applies to all of his or her future campaigns for the same office. · If a candidate seeks re-election to the same office beyond the pledged term limit, the ballot would state that the candidate has exceeded his or her term-limit pledge. FISCAL EFFECTThe Legislative Analyst states that the fiscal effect is unknown, but probably would be minor, other than state and county election costs for printing candidates' term-limit declaration statements. SUPPORTERS SAY· Voters deserve to know whether candidates are seeking long-time political careers in Washington or if they intend to serve short terms as "citizen legislators." · Federal elections favor incumbents--98.5% of congressional incumbents were re-elected in 1998. OPPONENTS SAY· Limiting California's representatives to six years means they will never achieve the seniority needed to chair congressional committees, where federal spending is controlled. · Campaign finance reform -- not term limits -- is a far better way to restore public confidence in Congress. For more information: Supporters: (858) 456-0858, www.caltermlimits.org (Analysis prepared by the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund  
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