Running for office is a key part of democracy, but each position has specific eligibility requirements, including age. These requirements vary depending on the state and the office, affecting roles like governor, state legislator, and mayor.
The U.S. Constitution sets minimum age requirements for federal offices:
- The president must be at least 35 years old.
- U.S. senators must be at least 30.
- U.S. representatives must be at least 25.
For state and local offices—such as governor, state senator, mayor, city council member, or special district official—age requirements differ by state.
Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the minimum age requirements across the United States.
Age Requirements for Governor
Most states require a minimum age of 30 to serve as governor. However, there are some variations:
- California requires candidates to be at least 18 years old.
- Oklahoma requires candidates to be at least 31 years old.
- Other states have different requirements, while a few do not specify an age qualification.
State Legislature Requirements
The minimum age to serve in a state’s legislature (Senate and House of Representatives) varies from 18 to 30 years old:
- State Senate: Some states, like California, set the minimum age at 18, while others require candidates to be 21, 25, or even 30.
- State House of Representatives, also known as State Assembly, General Assembly, etc: The minimum age requirement ranges from 18 to 25, depending on the state.
Note: - California, Nevada, New York, and Wisconsin: Refer to their lower house or State House of Representatives, as the “State Assembly.”
- Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia: Use the term “House of Delegates.”
- New Jersey: Calls its lower house the “General Assembly.”
Did you know?
- Nebraska has a unicameral legislature, meaning it has only one legislative chamber instead of two. It is the only state in the U.S. with this system.
- Nebraska’s legislature is simply called the Nebraska Legislature, but its members are referred to as senators—similar to an upper house in a bicameral system.
For precise state-by-state details, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) provides an extensive guide on eligibility requirements for state legislatures (ncsl.org).
Running for Mayor
Unlike federal or state positions, the age requirements for mayor vary widely by city and municipality:
- In many states, the minimum age is 18, aligning with the voting age.
- Montana requires mayoral candidates to be at least 21.
- Texas (Type A Cities) requires candidates to be at least 18 and have lived in the state and city for at least a year.
Since local regulations govern mayoral elections, it is best to check the specific city’s charter or local election office.
Mayoral Age Requirement in California
In California, a mayoral candidate must be at least 18 years old and a registered voter within the city where they are running. However, requirements may vary by city. For instance, California City mandates candidates be registered voters and residents at the time nomination papers are issued.
For specific qualifications in different California cities, candidates should refer to their city clerk’s office or visit the California Secretary of State’s official election website (elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov).
Final Thoughts
While there are general guidelines for age requirements, states and municipalities may have additional criteria, such as residency duration, citizenship, and voter registration status. Aspiring candidates should research the specific requirements for their desired office by consulting official state and local election offices. For a more detailed breakdown, resources like NCSL provide valuable insights into candidacy qualifications across all 50 states.