In the United States, we hold various professionals to rigorous standards of competence and ethics. Lawyers must pass the bar exam, real estate agents undergo testing, Navy SEALs endure grueling training and assessments, and intelligence community members are subject to polygraph and other tests. Even students in our schools take standardized tests to ensure they meet educational benchmarks. Immigrants to our country are required to pass a test to demonstrate their understanding of American civics.

Yet, paradoxically, the highest offices in our land—those of the President and members of Congress—require no such demonstration of merit or qualifications beyond age and birthplace. The only requirements to run for President are being at least 35 years old and a natural-born citizen. These criteria involve no effort or proof of capability; they are simply circumstances of birth and the passage of time.

We believe this is a fundamental flaw in our democratic system. To ensure competent and ethical leadership, we propose the Merit-Based Leadership Act. This act will require that all future presidential and congressional candidates pass a comprehensive civics test. They will have unlimited attempts to pass, but the results of each attempt will be made public. This transparency will ensure that our leaders have a basic understanding of the Constitution, the functioning of government, and the principles upon which our nation was founded.

Additionally, to foster trust and ensure integrity, we propose that the IRS records of all candidates be made public. This will help to confirm that candidates are free from illegal activities and are not unduly influenced by big business interests or foreign governments.

By implementing these measures, we can uphold the principle that leadership in our country should be based on merit and qualifications, not just on the circumstances of birth. Join us in demanding a higher standard for those who seek to lead our nation. Sign this petition to support the Merit-Based Leadership Act.