California Assembly Term Limits

The State Capitol houses the California Assembly and Senate.

The California Assembly is considered to be the "lower house" of California's body politic, separate from the Senate. As of 2010, it has 80 members limited to a maximum of three two-year terms, or six years total. Each member's district must have at least 420,000 persons.

History

Careerism continues, despite limits.

In 1990, Proposition 140 set term limits to prevent political "careerism." A Public Policy Institute of California study showed that term limits, while somewhat altering Assembly procedure, had little effect on political careerism. Many Assembly members remain in politics.

Rules

Citizenship is necessary.

An assemblyman may not have served three terms since November 6, 1990, and must have been a registered voter in the district he wants to represent for at least one year. He must be a U.S. citizen and must have lived in California for three years.

Bans

Thanks and goodbye.

An assemblyman must maintain residency in the district he represents for the duration of his term. After serving the maximum of six years, a representative is forever banned from serving in the Assembly but may still serve in the Senate.

References

• "Research Brief"; How Have Term Limits Affected the California Legislature; Public Policy Institute of California; Nov. 2004

Resources

• California State Assembly