Frequently Asked Questions
Myth Busting
Myth: The 1787 Convention Ran Away
False: The 1787 convention was called solely to amend the Articles of Confederation, and it ran away. They’ll do it again. Those who oppose a convention inaccurately claim that the Philadelphia Convention was called by the Continental Congress solely to propose amendments to the Articles of Confederation, which required unanimous approval of the states, and
Myth-Busting 101: Do Lobbyists Love Term Limits?
by Nick Tomboulides If you’ve read any anti-term limits editorials lately, you’re probably familiar with the remarkable claim that lobbyists love term limits. After studying dozens of these articles published in various states over the past few months, here’s what I’ve noticed: The claim is repeated in every commentary against state term limits. The claim
Myth Busting 101: Term Limits and Bureaucracy
by Stacey Selleck Myth Term limits empower unelected bureaucrats. Reality Shortened political horizons created by term limits actually reduce the power of bureaucrats by increasing the quality of control over them according to research conducted in 2019. In her study, “Constraining Bureaucrats Today Knowing You’ll Be Gone Tomorrow: The Effect of Legislative Term Limits on
Myth-Busting 101: “Congress Will Never Vote to Term Limit Itself”
By Nick Tomboulides “How can you expect Congress to vote for term limits on itself? That’ll never happen!” But it already has. In 1995, the House of Representatives voted 227-204 in favor of a constitutional amendment limiting its own terms and those of U.S. Senators. The bill didn’t pass because, while it received a pure majority,
Myth-busting 101: Are Elections Term Limits?
By Nicolas Tomboulides “We have term limits. They’re called elections!” I’m sure you’ve heard it before. When stale incumbents are confronted with the idea of term limits, they love to trot out this one-liner and accuse term limits supporters of hating democracy. We’re told that elections alone will solve all of government’s ills, if we
General Term Limits FAQs
Does the president of the United States have term limits?
Yes, the president of the United States has term limits. The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1951, limits a president to two four-year elected terms in office, or a maximum of ten years if they assumed the presidency mid-term due to succession.
This is a lifetime limit which does not reset once a president is out of office.
This amendment was adopted after Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected to four terms, breaking the two-term precedent set by George Washington.
Which amendment to the Constitution limits the terms of the president?
The 22nd Amendment states that “No person shall be elected to the office of the president more than twice, and no person who has held the office of president, or acted as president, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected president shall be elected to the office of president more than once.”
The twenty-second amendment was ratified in 1951 following the death of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) who died three months into his fourth term as president.
Has any president served more than two terms in office?
Franklin D. Roosevelt is the only U.S. president who served more than two terms. He was elected four times and served from 1933 until his death during the Great Depression and World War II. He died three months into his fourth term from a cerebral hemorrhage on April 12, 1945.
His unprecedented tenure led to the ratification of the 22nd Amendment in 1951, which formally limits presidents to two terms.
Do governors have term limits?
Yes, most U.S. governors are subject to term limits, but the rules vary by state. As of now, 36 states impose some form of gubernatorial term limit. Most commonly, governors are limited to two consecutive four-year terms, though some states have lifetime limits or allow non-consecutive terms.
Which states have term limits on their governor?
| States | Term Limits |
| Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and West Virginia | 2 consecutive 4-year terms |
| Indiana, Wyoming, Oregon | 2 consecutive 4-year terms, 1 term pause |
| Montana | 2 consecutive 4-year terms, 2 term pause |
| Arkansas, California, Delaware, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota, and Oklahoma | 2 four- year terms a lifetime |
| Virginia | 1 consecutive four-year term |
| Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin | No term limits (NH and VT have unlimited 2 year terms, the remainder have unlimited 4 year terms |
Which state legislatures have term limits?
Terms. As of June 2024, sixteen states have term limits on their state legislatures. They are Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and North Dakota.
Why don't we just put term limits on the ballot and let the people decide?
There is no national ballot measure process that allows citizens to vote directly on term limits for Congress. We have a representative government, and all of our federal laws must be passed by our representatives.
Because congressional term limits would require a constitutional amendment, it must adhere to the formal process outlined in Article V of the U.S. Constitution—either proposed by Congress or by the states at an amendment proposal convention.
Even if states could limit their own congressional delegation, which they cannot, putting a resolution on the ballot in individual states is not an option everywhere. Only 26 states allow citizen-initiated statewide ballot measures.
The other 24 states do not, meaning voters in the following states have no process to directly place a measure like ours on the ballot:
Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Term Limiting Congress
Does Congress have term limits?
No. U.S. Senators serve 6-year terms and U.S. Representatives serve 2-year terms but are eligible for re-election indefinitely as long as they continue to meet the qualifications for office as stated in the U.S. Constitution.
Don't we already have term limits? It's called elections.
While it’s true that elections give voters the power to remove members of Congress, it’s not the same as term limits. Incumbents have significant advantages—like name recognition, fundraising power, and established networks—that make them incredibly difficult to unseat. Term limits would ensure regular turnover, reduce the buildup of entrenched political power, bring in fresh perspectives, and reduce the influence of special interests.
Will Congress ever approve term limits on itself?
It’s highly unlikely that Congress will voluntarily impose term limits on itself without pressure from the states. Most sitting members benefit from the current system, with seniority bringing power, influence, and job security. Asking them to vote themselves out of a career goes directly against their personal and political interests. That’s why many term limits advocates focus on the Article V convention process—because it allows the states and the people to push for reform from the outside, bypassing congressional gridlock. While Congress could act preemptively to shape the outcome, history suggests they won’t move unless external pressure makes it politically unavoidable.
By acting first, Congress can shape the amendment’s language, decide how strict the limits are, and even include provisions that allow current members to be “grandfathered in” so the rules don’t apply to them immediately. This gives Congress more influence over the outcome than if the states force the issue through a convention. Faced with growing public support for term limits and rising pressure from state legislatures, approving a term limits amendment on itself could be a strategic move to retain some control over the inevitable.
The Supreme Court already ruled that states may not impose term limits on their own congressional delegation. Aren't term limits on Congress unconstitutional?
It’s true the Supreme Court ruled in U.S. Term Limits v. Thornton that states may not impose term limits on their own members of Congress, but that doesn’t make term limits unconstitutional forever.
Supreme Court decisions can be revisited or overturned as new justices bring different interpretations of the Constitution. Just like past rulings have changed over time, future courts could rule differently on term limits, especially if public opinion and legal arguments continue to evolve.
Meanwhile, the surest way to establish term limits is through a constitutional amendment, which bypasses the Court’s restrictions by changing the Constitution itself, thereby, making them constitutional.
How do we get term limits on Congress?
A 1995 Supreme Court decision (U.S. Term Limits v Thornton) declared that states could not “individually” impose term limits on their own federal delegation through state statute. However, they may collectively pass a term limits amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Article V of the Constitution allows either 34 states at convention or both chambers of Congress to propose constitutional amendments. 38 states must ratify the proposal in order for it to be enshrined as law.
Why can’t states just impose term limits on their own delegates?
By 1995, 23 states had done just that. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court ruled that states may not impose sanctions on Congress that are stricter than the qualifications clause of the Constitution. This is somewhat dubious since state impose ballot access limitations such as number of signatures collected or fees paid to be a candidate.
Regardless, if the states ratified an official term limits amendment, then it would be constitutionally sound.
Will congressional term limits put inexperienced officials in charge?
While term limits would lead to more frequent turnover, they wouldn’t result in inexperienced leadership. Many incoming members of Congress already have substantial experience in local or state government, business, law, or public service.
Term limits could actually diversify leadership by reducing the concentration of power among a few long-tenured politicians and opening the door for new voices and fresh ideas. Institutional knowledge can still be preserved through staff, civil service professionals, and committees, while fresh perspectives can reinvigorate the legislative process and make Congress more responsive to the public.
Won't term limits put lobbyists and bureaucrats in charge?
Term limits can actually help counterbalance that the power of lobbyists and staffers. Long-serving legislators often develop deep ties with lobbyists and special interest groups, which can entrench their influence over time. Term limits disrupt those relationships and reduce the incentive for long-term lobbying investments.
Additionally, while bureaucrats provide continuity, oversight by a rotating group of elected officials can keep that power in check. With proper institutional support, new lawmakers can still make informed decisions without being overly reliant on outside influence.
Will congressional term limits hurt my state?
Congressional term limits won’t hurt your state—in fact, they can help level the playing field.
Currently, power in Congress often goes to those who have served the longest, which can leave states with newer representatives at a disadvantage.
Term limits would reset that seniority system, giving all states a more equal shot at leadership and key committee positions. Instead of relying on political favors or decades of tenure, influence would be more merit based.
This shift could also attract a broader, more dynamic range of candidates, making Congress more representative and accessible.
Today, so much of the power and tenure are concentrated in leadership positions, which takes most new members of Congress decades to reach the levers of power. This frustrates junior members because they feel powerless to get their constituent’s mandates accomplished.
My state doesn’t have term limits; Isn’t it hypocritical to term limit Congress?
No, it’s not. Most state legislatures are part time, which means that most state lawmakers maintain careers outside of politics, live in their districts year-round, and remain deeply embedded in the communities they represent. They shop at the same stores, send their kids to the same schools, and attend the same events. There are fewer opportunities for detachment, and far less insulation from the public they serve.
Article V
What is Article V?
Article V of the U.S. Constitution outlines the process for amending the Constitution. It provides two ways to propose amendments: either by a two-thirds vote in both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate, or by an amendment proposal convention called by two-thirds of state legislatures. Once proposed, an amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the states—either through their legislatures or state conventions. Article V ensures that the U.S. Constitution can be updated, but only with broad national consensus.
What is the intent behind Article V?
Article V describes the way the U.S. Constitution can be amended. Providing both the states and the federal government a means to propose changes but only states may ratify amendments makes it flexible enough to adapt over time but difficult enough to prevent impulsive or ill-considered changes; it ensures that amendments would only happen with broad agreement across the country, protecting the stability and longevity of the government’s fundamental framework while allowing for necessary growth and reform.
Essentially, Article V was designed to safeguard the Constitution’s core principles while still permitting evolution through a deliberate, consensus-driven process.
Which states have passed the convention resolution so far?
As of December 2025, twelve states, Florida, Alabama, Missouri, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Dakota, Indiana, and South Carolina have passed USTL’s applications specific to the single subject congressional term limits.
While 19 states have passed resolution to propose term limits on elected officials and their staff (as of 12/2025), to eliminate all legal uncertainty and positively impose term limits on the U.S. House and Senate, USTL is fighting to pass our single-subject congressional term limits application in 34 states.
How do states initiate the term limits proposal convention?
States may initiate a term limits convention by calling for a national proposal convention specifically on the single subject of term limits on Congress, under Article V of the Constitution. This requires two-thirds of state legislatures (currently 34 out of 50) to submit applications requesting such a convention.
Once that threshold is met, Congress is constitutionally required, ministerially, to call the convention.
Article V says “calls” for a convention. Does this mean Congress can stifle the states’ demands for term limits?
While Article V says Congress “calls” for an amendment proposal convention, once two-thirds of states apply, it does not give Congress the power to block or ignore those demands.
The phrase “calls” is generally understood as a ministerial duty—meaning Congress must organize the convention once the threshold is met.
If Congress tried to stifle the states’ demands, it would be acting against the Constitution’s clear language and intent. Many constitutional scholars argue that the states hold the real power to force a convention, limiting Congress’s ability to delay or prevent it.
While the process isn’t perfectly defined, the balance of authority favors the states once they reach the required number of applications. That’s why it’s important for each state to pass the same language, with a small degree of freedom for different drafting styles.
How do states select their commissioners to the convention?
The Constitution doesn’t specify how states should select commissioners (delegates) to an Article V constitutional convention, so the process would be determined by each state’s legislature. This means states could set their own rules—some might appoint lawmakers, others could hold special elections or choose delegates through a different method. These rules may be passed by each state legislature and are known as a “Faithful Commissioner” or a “Faithful Delegate” Act.
What will happen at the convention?
At a term limits convention, delegates from the states would gather to propose an amendment specifically related to congressional term limits. They would debate, draft, and potentially approve language to change the U.S. Constitution.
The proposed amendment from the convention would then need to be ratified by three-fourths of the states before becoming part of the U.S. Constitution.
Will the term limits convention open up the entire U.S. Constitution for revisions?
Absolutely not.
The term limits convention is strictly limited to proposing amendments related to congressional term limits because the states’ applications that trigger the convention specify only the subject of congressional term limits.
Delegates (or commissioners) to the convention must stay within that narrow scope and may not lawfully propose unrelated changes. Depending on the state, they can be recalled, fined, or even imprisoned for violating the rules of their commission.
Even if they did, any amendment would still require ratification by three-fourths of the states—38 states—which is a very high threshold that protects the Constitution from sweeping or unwanted revisions.
So, the convention is simply another method to propose amendments, not a free-for-all rewrite of the entire U.S. Constitution.
How will the term limits amendment get ratified?
Once the term limits amendment is proposed at the convention, it must be ratified by three-fourths of the states—currently 38 out of 50—for it to become part of the U.S> Constitution.
Ratification can happen in one of two ways: either through state legislatures or through special state ratifying conventions, depending on which method Congress chooses.
This high threshold ensures that only amendments with broad national support become law, protecting the integrity of the Constitution while still allowing meaningful reform like congressional term limits.
Why isn’t the length of terms specified on my state lawmaker’s pledge?
It is easier to garner support to pass the resolution in the 34 states required if the language of the amendment is up to the commissioners at the Article V convention. We leave the discussion up to them but need to get to the bargaining table first.
We recommend two six-year terms in the U.S. Senate and three two-year terms in the U.S. House.