The minimum age required for a resident to run for state office in Utah may be lowered. Rep. Candice Pierucci, the youngest woman to be elected into the Utah Legislature at 26, wants to drop the minimum age from 25 to 21.
“As someone who has a young family and who has to balance a home budget, I have a different perspective on things,” said Pierucci.
Pierucci pointed out how a range of ages within the government could expand perspectives and thoughts.
“I feel like it’s helpful to have that diversity of thought in the [legislative] body. There’s no need, in my mind, to have an arbitrary age of 25,” Pierucci said.
She pointed out that the minimum age to run for state office is 18 years old in states like Vermont, California and Washington; therefore, this age change is a potential possibility.
Additionally, Pierucci argues that if you’re old enough to fight and die for your country, “you should be able to run for office.” In the United States, the age requirement to join the military is only 17.
If the House and Senate approve this change, it will be on the ballot in November.
Author: Natalie Anderson
Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Allred/Deseret News
Editor: Anna Mower
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