House panel moves bill to lower minimum age to be elected
By Howard Fischer Capitol Media Services via Arizona Capitol Times
Arizona lawmakers don’t want to share their power with 18 year olds.
But they might agree to let those at least 21 join their ranks.
On a 7-6 margin Monday the House Appropriations Committee agreed to ask voters in November to repeal existing constitutional provisions which require that candidates for statewide and legislative office to be at least 25 years old. As approved, that would mean someone as young as 18 could not only run for the Legislature but could even become governor with enough votes.
Rep. Anthony Kern, R-Glendale, who crafted the measure, said that’s fine with him.
“In my philosophy, if you allow them to drive a tank and give them a gun to go fight overseas, they should be eligible to run for office,” he said. “I think they’re mature enough.”
