On the general election ballot Hawaii voters will be asked to consider a proposed constitutional amendment that would extend the mandatory retirement age for state judges and justices from 70 to 80 years of age.

AARP Hawaii, not surprisingly, is urging a “yes” vote on the measure.

“Age alone does not determine whether someone can do their job,” AARP Hawaii State President Gerry Silva said in a press release today. “State judges today are forced to retire at the age of 70, including those who have the wisdom and experience to continue serving productively.”

Silva added, “Hawaii should follow the example set by the federal system, which does not subject Supreme Court or other federal judges to mandatory retirement.”

Aliiolani Hale, the home of the Hawaii Supreme Court.

PF Bentley/Civil Beat

The mandatory retirement age for state judges hasn’t changed since Hawaii’s constitution was adopted in 1959, “even though residents are healthier and more productive than at any time in our history,” the AARP gripes. “If the retirement age is increased to 80, safeguards – such as judicial reviews – will remain in place to determine whether a judge is qualified to serve another term.”

AARP also reminds the public that a blank ballot counts as a “no” vote.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with nearly 150,000 members in Hawaii.

Read Civil Beat’s very excellent article, Should We Raise the Retirement Age for Judges and Justices?