Kansas proposal would limit lawmakers to 16 years of service

The proposal would bar a person from election to the Kansas House or Senate after 16 years of legislative service. The limit counts full and partial terms in both chambers together, whether the service was consecutive or not. A person could serve up to four additional years if certified as the winner of the next primary and receiving at least 70% of the votes cast for that office. A state representative seeking another four years would need to win at least 70% in each of the next two primary elections. The proposed limit would apply to elections on and after January 11, 2027.

The proposal would require an over-limit candidate to receive at least 70% of primary votes to be certified as the winner. This applies to a state representative or senator candidate who, if elected, would serve more years than the proposed limit allows. If the candidate has the most votes but falls short of 70%, the candidate with the next-highest vote total would be certified instead. If the over-limit candidate is the only one on the ballot and falls short of 70%, no one would be certified as the winner. The proposed rules would apply in primary elections for state representative or state senator.