Should There be an Age Limit for the Presidency?

Fresh Ideas, or Experienced Politicians?

Have you ever thought why there have been no young presidents in recent history? Think about it, in the last two presidential elections all the nominees for president, Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden are all 75 or older. Out of these three, Joe Biden is the oldest at the age of 80. Considering more than half of Americans want a president under the age of 65 according to Suffolk University and USA Today, in a recent poll taken in 2022, there is room for improvement. This isn’t just a problem for presidents. According to Northeastern University, the 117th Congress is also the oldest it has been in two decades.

Chart: Shayanne Gal/Insider Source: Github.com/unitedstates/congress-legislators; Wikipedia; Insider Data

The average age of recent presidential candidates and Congress members suggests a consideration as to whether we should add age limits to the presidential race, and potentially Congress. For example, in the current political climate, we need fresh ideas in government, and with a high percentage of career politicians, we’re not seeing enough new perspectives. At the same time, age limits can serve as a power check for government officials so they don’t overstep their authority. As you age, especially over the age of 70, cognitive decline begins to set in according to the National Institutes of Health. Being president requires you to be able to function at the highest level. Joe Biden has become a target because of his age, as many experts believe he has dementia or is in cognitive decline. Electing individuals in their 70s, with all the demands of today, is more a roll of the dice than we should be comfortable with.

At the same time though, adding an age limit might not happen anytime soon. American politicians have a long-term incentive to stay in government and remain in power. According to Business Insider, “because of the seniority system, a campaign-finance program that favors incumbents, gerrymandered congressional districts, and the ability to continue to seek office indefinitely, it is even easier for those politicians to stay in power.” Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff of Georgia, the youngest member of the Senate at 35, said “More important than those constitutional limits are the various structural impediments in our political system as it functions today that deter, and make it so difficult, and discourage young people from seeking office."

With the obstacles standing in the way of change, you might be asking why age limits are important for us to consider? No matter what political side of the spectrum you’re on, new ideas and policy changes are something that almost everyone wants. Adding age limits will bring in a new generation of political leaders that can bring in a fresh perspective and help get us out of the current gridlock. Not only that, but people in power will feel more pressure to take advantage of the limited time they have in office. Lastly, incumbents are “less able to use institutions to manipulate elections or erode the power of rival branches of government and political adversaries,” according to the Young African Leaders Initiative, a government run website.

In conclusion, as the average age of politicians become older over time, the need for new leaders becomes greater. We desperately need young politicians to come up with solutions that give Americans hope for a better future. And whether you consider yourself a Democrat or a Republican or something in between, there’s probably a young politician out there who might share your views.

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