Purpose

• To propose a change to the Minnesota Constitution that would place term limits on the offices of governor and lieutenant governor.

Main Provisions

• Establishes four-year term lengths for both the governor and the lieutenant governor, with each office requiring the holder to be elected or re-elected to continue serving.
• Sets a maximum of two elected terms for the governor and a maximum of two elected terms for the lieutenant governor (i.e., no more than two terms per office).
• Sets eligibility criteria for officeholders: age at least 25, bona fide residence in Minnesota for one year before election, and United States citizenship.

Constitutional Amendment Details

• The term limits would be created by amending Article V, Section 2 of the Minnesota Constitution.
• The amendment would be submitted to voters at the 2026 general election.
• Ballot language includes:
  • Question to voters: “Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to place a limit of two terms on the offices of governor and lieutenant governor beginning in 2030?”
  • Title for the ballot: “A constitutional amendment to place term limits on the offices of governor and lieutenant governor.”

Applicability and Timeline

• The term limits would apply starting with terms beginning in 2030; elections before 2030 would not count toward the term limits.
• The ballot title requirement is specified to override a standard statutory rule regarding ballot titles.
• In short, the amendment would not affect terms served before 2030; only post-2030 terms would count toward the two-term limit.

Significant Changes to Law

• Creates a constitutional two-term limit for both the governor and the lieutenant governor.
• Adds explicit eligibility requirements for officeholders (age, residency, citizenship).
• Requires voter approval at the 2026 general election to take effect.
• Sets a non-retroactive applicability window, excluding pre-2030 elections from counting toward the term limits.

Summary Notes

• This proposal would change how long someone can serve as governor or lieutenant governor, by limiting each office to two terms, and it would only apply to terms beginning after 2030.

Relevant Terms - term limits - governor - lieutenant governor - constitutional amendment - Minnesota Constitution - Article V Section 2 - four-year term - two terms - eligibility: age 25, residency one year, U.S. citizenship - 2026 general election - ballot question - beginning in 2030 - applicability - not retroactive to pre-2030 elections