Congressional Term Limits: Unconstitutional by Initiative

Numerous states are considering voters' initiatives limiting the terms of their congressional delegations. This Comment analyzes the constitutionality of these measures and concludes that congressional term limits are unconstitutional when enacted through voters' initiatives, but may be properly enacted through a federal constitutional amendment. Moreover, imposing term limits at all, regardless of their implementation, appears inconsistent with original intent of the Constitution's framers. Finally, previous amendments used to implement changes to the electoral process, and judicial decisions on such proposed changes, suggest that changes such as term limits must be enacted by constitutional amendment.