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Committee considers raising constitutional age limit for county sheriffs to 75; supporters cite leadership and recruitment
Summary
The committee heard testimony supporting CACR 11 to raise the constitutional age limit for county sheriffs from 70 to 75 (or remove it entirely). Witnesses argued the sheriff’s role is executive and that modern longevity supports raising or removing the age limit; opponents urged caution and discussion.
The committee heard testimony on CACR 11, a proposed constitutional amendment to raise the disqualification age for county sheriffs from 70 to 75, or to remove the age restriction altogether. Proponents argued that medical advances and longer working lives mean a 70-year cutoff is outdated.
Charles Macias, high sheriff of Rockingham County, told the committee the sheriff’s duties are predominantly administrative, including budgets, personnel and interagency coordination, and that experience is an asset. Macias and other supporters said disqualifying someone solely because of age removes the voters’ ability to decide whether a candidate remains fit to serve.
David Goldstein (Lieutenant, Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator, Rockingham County Sheriff's Office) and other witnesses said that many sheriffs perform executive functions rather than routine fieldwork. Macias said he personally would prefer no age restriction but could support 75 as a compromise.
Some senators noted practical options besides constitutional changes, such as term limits or allowing former sheriffs to be employed in other departmental capacities. The committee did not vote on CACR 11 during the hearing; senators indicated further discussion and possible revisions would follow.
