Age of candidacy laws in the United States explained

This article delineates the age of candidacy laws of the federal government and individual states of the United States. The US has historically had minimum age requirements for many positions, ranging from President to local members of city council. While there is no maximum age limit or point of forced retirement—other countries like Canada enforce retirement ages on judges^[1] and senators^[2] —there are term limits in some cases, most notably a limit of 2 full terms for the President of the United States.

Federal government

• President of the United States and Vice President of the United States:
  • Minimum age: 35
  • Per: Article II, Section 1, Clause 5 of the United States Constitution and Amendment XII of the United States Constitution
• United States Senator:
  • Minimum age: 30
  • Per: Article I, Section 3, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution
• United States Representative:
  • Minimum age: 25
  • Per: Article I, Section 2, Clause 2 of the United States Constitution

State government

State	Governor	Upper House	Lower House	Lieutenant Governor	Attorney General	Secretary of State	Treasurer
Alabama	30	25	21	30	25	25	25
Alaska	30	25	21	30	18*	N.A.	18*
Arizona	25	25	25	N.A.	25	25	25
Arkansas	30	25	21	30	18*	18*	18
California	18*	18*	18*	18*	18*	18*	18*
Colorado	30	25	25	30	25	25	25
Connecticut	30	18*	18*	30	18	None	18*
Delaware	30	27	24	30	None	None	None
Florida	30	21	21	30	30	None	25
Georgia	30	25	21	30	25	25	18*
Hawaii	30	25	18	30	None	N.A.	None
Idaho	30	18*	18*	30	30	25	25
Illinois	25^[3]	21	21	25	25	25	25
Indiana	30	25	21	30	None	18*
Iowa	30	25	21	30	18	18*
Kansas	25^[4]	18*	18*	25	None	None
Kentucky	30^[5]	30	24	30	30	30	30
Louisiana	30	30	18	25	25	25	25
Maine	30 ^[6]	25*	21*	N.A.	None	None
Maryland	30^[7]	25	21	30	18*	18*
Massachusetts	25^[8]	25	18	18*	18	18	18
Michigan	30^[9]	21	21	30	None	18*
Minnesota	25	21	21	25^[10]	21	21
Mississippi	30	25	21	20	26	25	25
Missouri	30	30	24	30	None	None
Montana	30	None	None	25	25	25
Nebraska	30	21	N.A.	30	None	None
Nevada	25	21	21	25	18*	18*	18*
New Hampshire	30^[11]	30	18	N.A.	18*	18*
New Jersey	30^[12]	30	21	30	None	None
New Mexico	30	25	21	30	30	30	30
New York	30^[13]	18	18	30	30	None	30
North Carolina	30^[14]	25^[15]	21^[16]	30	None	21	21
North Dakota	30	19*	18*	30	25	25	25
Ohio	18	18	18	None	18	18	18
Oklahoma	31^[17]	25	21	31	31	31	31
Oregon	30	21	21	N.A.	18	18
Pennsylvania	30	25	21	30	30	None	None
Rhode Island	18	18	18	18	18	18	18
South Carolina	30^[18]	25^[19]	21	30	18*	18*
South Dakota	21	21	21	21	None	None
Tennessee	30	30	21^[20]	30†	18	None
Texas	30	26	21	30	18	18*	18*
Utah	30	25	25	30	25	N.A.	25
Vermont	18 ^[21]	None	None	None	None	None
Virginia	30^[22]	21^[23]	21	30	30	18*	18*
Washington	18*	18*	18*	18*	18*	18*	18*
West Virginia	30	18	18	N.A.	25	18*	18
Wisconsin	18	18	18	18*	18*	18*	18
Wyoming	30	25	21	N.A.	18*	25	25

* Qualified elector/registered voter requirement.
† State Senate membership requirement.
N.A. implies that such a position does not exist in that state.

Alaska

• Any public office: at least 30 (qualified voter requirement)^[24]

Arizona

• Any public office: at least 18^[25]

California

• Any public office: 18^{[26] [27] [28] [29] [30]}

Colorado

• Any public office: at least 21

Georgia

• Any public office: at least 18 (qualified voter requirement)^[31]

Hawaii

• Neighborhood Board Member: 18

Idaho

• Mayor: at 18 ^[32]

Illinois

• Comptroller: 25
• School Board Member: 18 (qualified voter requirement)^[33]

Indiana

• Mayor: 18 (qualified voter requirement)^[34]

Iowa

• Any elected office: 18 (qualified voter requirement)^[35]

Louisiana

• Treasurer: 25
• School Board Member: 18 (qualified voter requirement) ^[36]

Maryland

• Circuit Court Judge: 30^[7]
• County Sheriff: 25^[7]
• Other county offices: vary according to local law^[7]
• Any public office: at least 18 (qualified voter requirement)^[37]

Massachusetts

• Most offices: 18

Michigan

Governor or Lieutenant Governor: 30

State Senate or State House: 21

Judge: Licensed to practice law

All other offices: 18 (must be a registered and qualified elector)

Minnesota

• Many offices: 21^[38]

Montana

• Mayor: at least 21^[39]

Nevada

• Any public office: 18 (qualified voter requirement)^[40]

New Mexico

• Most offices: 18 (qualified elector requirement)^[41]

New York

• Comptroller: 30^[13]
• State Senator: 18^[42]
• State Assembly:18^[42]

North Carolina

• Many offices: 30, 25, 21
• Nonpartisan municipal offices: 21 (qualified voter requirement) ^[43]
• https://www.ncsbe.gov/candidates/filing-candidacy/general-candidate-requirements

North Dakota

• Mayor/council: 18 (qualified voter requirement)^[44]

Oklahoma

• State, county, and municipal public offices: at least 18 (qualified voter requirement)^[45]

Oregon

• Sheriff: 21
• Other county and local offices: 18^[46]
• Justice of the Peace: 18

Pennsylvania

• Mayors of Third-Class Cities: 18^[47]

Rhode Island

• Any elected office: 18 (qualified voter requirement)^[48]

South Carolina

• Judicial: 32^[49]

South Dakota

• Public Utilities Commissioner: 25
• Mayor/alderman: at least 18 (qualified voter requirement)^[50]

Tennessee

• Supreme Court Judge: 35
• Other state judges: 30
• County mayor/county executive: 30
• Sheriff: 25
• Constable: 21
• County School Board Member: 18 (registered voter requirement)
• State House of Representatives: 21
• State Senate: 35
• Governor: 30

Texas

• Any public office: at least 19 (qualified voter requirement) ^[51]

Vermont

• Town officials: at least 18 (qualified voter requirement)^{[52] [53]}

Virginia

• Any office: at least 18 (qualified voter requirement)^[54]

Washington

• Any office: at least 18 (qualified voter requirement)^[55]

Wisconsin

• Any city office: at least 18 (qualified voter requirement)^[56]

Wyoming

• Any municipal office: at least 18 (qualified voter requirement)^[57]

Local government

Many states require elected municipal officers to be over 18 years of age or be a registered voter in the city thereof. Montana requires mayors to be at least 21 years of age.

As of November 2016, most U.S. cities with populations exceeding 200,000 required their mayor to be a registered voter in the city thereof or at least 18 years of age. Here are the following exceptions:

• 30 Years: Denver, CO; Honolulu, HI; Memphis, TN; Nashville, TN; St. Louis, MO
• 25 Years: Baltimore, MD; Colorado Springs, CO; Columbus, GA; Glendale, AZ; Kansas City, MO; Omaha, NE; Philadelphia, PA; Washington, DC Westminster, MD
• 21 Years: Louisville, KY, Oklahoma City, OK; Aurora, CO; Minneapolis, MN;^[58] Saint Paul, MN^[59]
• 19 Years: Hialeah, FL (qualified voter requirement + 1 year of residence)
• No Age Minimum Listed or Implied: Pittsburgh, PA; Wichita, KS; Jersey City, NJ; Buffalo, NY; Yonkers, NY; Troy, NC
• Data unavailable: Birmingham, AL; Newark, NJ

Baltimore

• City Comptroller, and City Council President: 25^[7]
• City Council Member: 21^[7]

Notes and References

1. News: Payton . Laura . October 4, 2011 . Court closes judge retirement age loophole . .
2. News: Nixon . Geoff . July 30, 2023 . The U.S. Senate is steadily aging — but members leave on their own terms . .
3. Web site: Article V, Section 3. Constitution of the State of Illinois. Illinois General Assembly. December 15, 1970. December 6, 2012.
4. Web site: New law sets minimum age for Kansas governor candidates. KWCH. KWCH. May 18, 2018.
5. Web site: 072 . 2011-03-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101221003330/http://www.lrc.ky.gov/legresou/constitu/072.htm . 2010-12-21 . dead .
6. Book: Maine Constitution Article IV, Part 1.
7. Web site: Qualifications for Filing Candidacy.
8. Web site: Galvin . William Francis . March 2017 . How to Run for Office in Massachusetts . https://web.archive.org/web/20230127155154/https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/Candidates-Guide-generic.pdf . January 27, 2023 . February 9, 2023 . Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
9. Web site: Article V, Section 22. Michigan Constitution. State of Michigan. December 6, 2012.
10. http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/cco/rules/mncon/Article5.htm Archived copy
11. Web site: Qualifications for Office . 2023-02-09 . New Hampshire Secretary of State . en.
12. Web site: New Jersey Constitution NJ Legislature . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230205092319/https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/constitution . February 5, 2023 . February 8, 2023 . New Jersey Legislature.
13. Web site: Running for Office | New York State Board of Elections.
14. Web site: Article III, Section 2. North Carolina Constitution. North Carolina General Assembly. April 2, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20170327090239/http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Legislation/constitution/article3.html. March 27, 2017. dead. mdy-all.
15. Web site: Article II, Section 6. North Carolina Constitution. North Carolina General Assembly. April 2, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120521170318/http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Legislation/constitution/article2.html. May 21, 2012. dead.
16. Web site: Article VI, Section 6. North Carolina Constitution. North Carolina General Assembly. April 2, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120423100020/http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Legislation/constitution/article6.html. April 23, 2012. dead.
17. Web site: Section VI-3.
18. Web site: Article IV, Section 2. South Carolina Constitution. South Carolina Legislature. April 2, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120427211547/http://www.scstatehouse.gov/scconstitution/a04.php. 2012-04-27. dead.
19. Web site: Article III, Section 7 . South Carolina Constitution . South Carolina Legislature . April 2, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120304204700/http://www.scstatehouse.gov/scconstitution/a03.php . March 4, 2012 .
20. Web site: February 8, 2023 . Qualifying Procedures for Tennessee House of Representatives . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220707164003/https://sos.tn.gov/elections/guides/qualifying-procedures-for-tennessee-house-of-representatives . July 7, 2022 . Tennessee Secretary of State.
21. Web site: Governor of Vermont . Sep 15, 2023 . Ballotpedia.
22. Web site: Constitution of Virginia - Article V. Executive .
23. Web site: Constitution of Virginia - Article IV. Legislature .
24. Web site: Alaska Statutes Title 15. Elections § 15.25.180 . 2023-02-09 . Findlaw . en-US.
25. Web site: View Document . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170410132940/http://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azleg.gov%2Fars%2F38%2F00201.htm . April 10, 2017 . Arizona State Legislature.
26. Web site: California Constitution Article IV Sec. 2(c). California Office of Legislative Counsel. June 5, 2012. January 23, 2024.
27. Web site: California Constitution Article V Sec. 2. November 6, 1990. January 23, 2024. California Office of Legislative Counsel.
28. Web site: California Constitution Article V Sec. 9. California Office of Legislative Counsel. November 5, 1974. January 23, 2024.
29. Web site: California Government Code § 24001. California Office of Legislative Counsel. January 1, 2023. January 23, 2024.
30. Web site: California Government Code § 34904. live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181017082149/http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&sectionNum=34904.&article=3.&highlight=true&keyword=mayor+elector+voter . October 17, 2018 . 2023-02-09 . California Office of Legislative Counsel.
31. Web site: 2015 Georgia Code :: Title 21 - ELECTIONS :: Chapter 2 - ELECTIONS AND PRIMARIES GENERALLY :: Article 4 - SELECTION AND QUALIFICATION OF CANDIDATES AND PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS :: Part 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS :: § 21-2-132 - Filing notice of candidacy, nomination petition, and affidavit; payment of qualifying fee; pauper's affidavit and qualifying petition for exemption from qualifying fee; military service . 2023-02-09 . Justia Law . en.
32. Web site: 2016 Idaho Statutes :: Title 50 - MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS :: Chapter 6 - MAYOR :: Section 50-601 - QUALIFICATIONS.
33. Web site: Your School Board and You.
34. http://iga.in.gov/legislative/laws/2013/ic/titles/003/articles/008/chapters/001/pdf Archived copy
35. Web site: Qualifications for public office. 19 April 2023. 2017. legis.iowa.gov.
36. Web site: ABCB, Qualifications for School Board Members .
37. Web site: Article - Election Law . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20181128163833/http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2017RS/Statute_Web/gel/gel.pdf . November 28, 2018 . February 8, 2023 . Maryland General Assembly.
38. Web site: Minnesota Secretary Of State - Candidate Qualifications . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230118174721/https://www.sos.state.mn.us/election-administration-campaigns/become-a-candidate/candidate-qualifications/ . January 18, 2023 . 2023-02-09 . Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon.
39. Web site: 7-4-4301. Qualifications for mayor, MCA.
40. Web site: NRS 281.010 Elected and appointed officers. 19 April 2023. leg.state.nv.us.
41. Web site: New Mexico One Source of Law® . 2017-04-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130927074603/http://public.nmcompcomm.us/nmpublic/gateway.dll/?f=templates&fn=default.htm . 2013-09-27 . dead .
42. Web site: Running for Office | New York State Board of Elections.
43. Web site: GS_163-294.2.pdf . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220104184022/https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_163/GS_163-294.2.pdf . January 4, 2022 . North Carolina General Assembly.
44. Web site: North Dakota Century Code. 19 April 2023. 3. ndlegis.gov.
45. Web site: Candidate Must be Registered - Exceptions.
46. Web site: 2021 . Chapter 249 - Candidates; Recall . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221109232753/https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors249.html . November 9, 2022 . February 8, 2023 . Oregon State Legislature.
47. Web site: Pennsylvania Statutes Title 11 Pa.C.S.A. Cities § 11201. Qualifications. 19 April 2023. January 1, 2019. FindLaw.
48. Web site: February 8, 2022 . Title 17 - Elections . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221110001856/http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE17/17-14/17-14-1.HTM . November 10, 2022 . State of Rhode Island General Assembly.
49. Web site: Article V, Section 15. South Carolina Constitution. South Carolina Legislature. April 2, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120104231446/http://www.scstatehouse.gov/scconstitution/a05.php. January 4, 2012. dead. mdy-all.
50. Web site: South Dakota Legislature.
51. Web site: Texas Constitution and Statutes - Error.
52. Web site: Vermont Laws.
53. Web site: Vermont Laws.
54. Web site: 24.2-500. Qualification of candidates .
55. Web site: RCW 29A.24.075: Qualifications for filing, appearance on ballot.
56. Web site: Wisconsin Legislature: Chapter 62.
57. Web site: Article 3 - Nominations . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170410213724/http://legisweb.state.wy.us/NXT/gateway.dll/2016%20Wyoming%20Statutes/2016%20Titles/1195/1234/1237?f=templates$fn=document-frameset.htm$q=%5Brank%3A%5Bsum%3A%5Bstem%3Aqualified%5D%5Bstem%3Avoter%5D%5D%5D$x=server$3.0#LPHit1 . April 10, 2017 . State of Wyoming Legislature.
58. Web site: Eligibility to hold office . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231114035106/https://vote.minneapolismn.gov/candidates/filing-for-office/eligibility-to-hold-office/ . November 14, 2023 . Minneapolis, MN.
59. Web site: Candidate Filing . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231114035410/https://www.ramseycounty.us/residents/elections-voting/candidates/candidate-filing . November 14, 2023 . Ramsey County, MN. 28 April 2015 .