The Legislature's involvement, however, should be minimal. The term limit measure approved by voters in 1992 with a 59-percent majority resulted in Michigan's term limits ranking among the strictest in the nation. House members can serve no more than three two-year terms. Capping the length of time state politicians can hold office has set off a debate about its effectiveness. Critics are quick to note that the limits are for life.
Officeholders only get one shot at a position.
Second, they contend, limited terms have the unintended consequence of further strengthening an unaccountable state bureaucracy that wields extraordinary influence on matters of public concern. Equally important, even before the advent of term limits, voters were demonstrating that they could distinguish between legislators who work effectively for their interests and those who do not. They say, for example, that long-serving officeholders tend to use the power of incumbency to amass large war chests that insulate them from the threat of political newcomers. Perhaps there is a middle ground.