Term limits can assist by preventing opposition forces from using the power of incumbency and name-recognition in order to permanently entrench themselves in the legislature. In other words, term limits open up the field to greater competition from those who might not otherwise be able to compete with powerful, well-financed, political elite. This could be a powerful tool for us to gain access to the system in whatever state we choose.
FSP States with Legislative Term Limits
Maine
Montana
South Dakota
Wyoming
*Note: Wyoming's legislative term limits go into effect in 2004; however, term limits are already at work in Wyoming's Executive Branch. Wyoming's last governor, Jim Geringer, was term-limited out of office in 2002.
Idaho voters have approved term limits by initiative twice now; however, they have been defeated by their state legislature in both instances. The last time out, the legislature actually overrode their own GOP governor's veto.
Articles Related to Term Limits:
Term Limits and Citizen Legislators
CATO Institute on Term Limits
Initiative and Referendum
Initiatives allow state voters to bypass the legislature and governor and propose a law or constitutional amendment to be placed on the ballot. Referendums allow voters to vote on a law passed by the legislature in order to keep it from taking effect. Both of these measures can be used to defeat partisan political forces that might otherwise prove unassailable by means of the normal legislative process, and could thus prove invaluable for our purposes.
FSP States with the Initiative and Referendum
Alaska
Idaho
Maine
Montana
North Dakota
South Dakota
Wyoming
*Note: In Wyoming, the FSP's projected 20,000 would nearly muster enough signatures just by themselves to put an initiative item on the ballot. In Idaho, it would take a little over twice our own number).
Term limits and the initiative and referendum are tremendous advantages for accessing the political system in Wyoming!