Michigan Term Limits Are Constitutional, Sixth Circuit Rules

Michigan legislators failed to show that term limits for state lawmakers and executives violate their rights to freedom of association and ballot access under the U.S. Constitution, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled.

In a matter of first impression, the court said it had jurisdiction to hear a challenge to state term limits, because legislators raised claims under the U.S. Constitution.

Terms limits are a “qualification for office,” and are rationally related to legitimate government interests, Judge Amul R. Thapar of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit said Wednesday.

Michigan has a legitimate ...