Proposing a constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory age of retirement for state justices and judges.What’s in the Amendment? State law currently requires judges and justices to retire at the age of 75. However, given today's longer life expectancies, HJR107 proposes an amendment to the Texas Constitution to increase the mandatory retirement age of state justices and judges from 75 years of age to 79 years of age. The bill also would remove a provision stating that judges may serve until December 31 of their fourth year in office if they reach the age of 75 in the first four years of their term.
Why is this important? Basically, this is a legislative effort looking for a reason to exist! Really! When was the last time you were thinking about legislative priorities and you thought… "I sure wish there was a constitutional amendment allowing that 75 year old judge to serve for another 4 years…" NOT!! If anything, I've heard discussions about having younger people serve, so we could have fresher, more modern ideas on the bench.
Seriously though, there is no reason that older judges shouldn't be allowed to serve longer if voters want to elect them, and our Constitution should not preclude it. I have no problem cleaning up the Constitution, but I would have preferred the legislators spend their time on meaningful legislation addressing mass shootings or teacher's compensation.
All Democrat legislators voted for this bill. For more information, click here.
Rob Clifford BCDP Communications Team
Click HERE to view all the proposed Amendments to the Texas Constitution for the November 2023 Ballot.
Obtain an acceptable ID for voting. If you don't have the listed photo ID, and could not reasonably get one, you can still vote by signing a form and bringing an acceptable alternate ID. You do NOT need your voter registration card to vote.
Visit VOTE411.orgor pick up a Voters Guide at a public library to see who and what is on your ballot so that you can vote informed.
Visit Bexar County Elections Department or call 210-335-8683 for answers to all your voting and elections questions.