An amendment to the New Hampshire constitution regarding the mandatory judicial retirement age is set to be decided by voters in the upcoming November election. The proposed amendment seeks to raise the retirement age for judges from 70 to 75. Introduced as Constitutional Amendment 6, the measure passed both the state House and Senate with the required 60% majority, leading to its inclusion on the ballot.
Former Chief Justice Rob Lynn, who co-sponsored the amendment, argues that the current retirement age of 70 is outdated and no longer reflective of today’s average life expectancy of 78.5 years. He believes that judges are still capable of serving effectively beyond the age of 70.
On the other hand, some legislators, like Joe Alexander, express concern that raising the retirement age could hinder the progression of younger individuals into judicial positions. A recent UNH poll found that many voters are unfamiliar with the amendment and few plan to vote in favor of it.
If passed, the constitutional amendment would align New Hampshire with the 31 states and District of Columbia that have mandatory retirement ages for judges, with most falling between 70 and 75. The outcome of the vote in November will determine whether the retirement age for judges in New Hampshire will be increased to 75.
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