These days, it seems that anyone can run for office to be the United States .
So we may end up with an actual realistic choice between a Nominee and a Republican Party Nominee, but the original field is broad for a .
Table of Contents
Qualifications To Become
There are zero academic qualifications to become the United States . You may have a Law degree from Harvard or not have finished school. Everyone has an equal right to run for despite their qualifications.
This differs from the requirements to become .
Requirements To Become United States
While you might expect a massive list of and make sure we get the best possible candidates, that isn’t the case.
A lack of amendments to the means that the only qualifications relate to residency, a minimum age, and previous terms in office.
Additionally, you must be a . From there, pretty much anyone can put themselves forward.
There is nothing about upper age limits, health, or criminal convictions. You have to meet the minimum requirements, get on the ballot, and then you can hope for the nomination.
2020
2020 was the perfect year for highlighting the lack of restrictions and the potential need for further amendments.
The final candidates for the Republicans and Democrats were reality TV star and 78-year-old .
Biden has previous political experience. Therefore, the race for the presidency felt like a logical career move.
After one term in the White House, had the experience, but nothing prior.
Meanwhile, Kanye West put himself in the running, showing that anyone that wants to run can at least try. The reason for this comes down to the wording of the .
How To Run for
The original Constitution contains Article 2, which addresses the constitutional requirements for running for the and the .
It applied to the role at the time of the formation of the USA and remains in place today. The article states the following three clauses:
- First, the has to be a .
- The has to have a minimum age of at least 35 years old
- The has to have been a resident of the United States for 14 years.
These three key points highlight potential issues with the process.
The third requirement caused a furor about ‘s certificate during his race for the White House.
It is also why UK PM Boris Johnson could run if he moved to the US, reclaimed his dual-citizenship, and waited 14 years.
A
Furthermore, there are some interesting questions about the term “natural born .”
United States territories don’t have the same rights as states but allow US citizenship for children born there.
For example, those born in Puerto Rico after 1940 are natural born citizens and eligible to run for .
However, military bases in foreign countries aren’t considered US soil, so children born there aren’t natural born citizens. Instead, they gain citizenship from their parents. Subsequently, they cannot run for due to their birthplace.
Other Important Criteria Aren’t Taken Into Consideration
There are factors that the American public would consider highly important when choosing a , yet they aren’t mentioned in the current regulations and guidelines.
This includes:
- An upper age limit for candidates.
- The health of the .
- The possession of a criminal record.
Age of
There is no upper age limit for the . Age has garnered criticism because of the negative implications of swearing in a senior .
was 78, and there are questions over why the Democrats couldn’t have found a younger, fitter, more relatable .
The and the say that in the case that would be unfit to be , the would step up to be the .
How old do you have to be to run for ?
There is no upper age to run for so that you could be the oldest person on earth.
There is a minimum age to run for , which is 35.
Medical Health Issues
A related concern is that presidential candidates don’t have to publicize their medical history or information about current health issues.
While there is an argument for allowing candidates their privacy, others argue that it helps know candidates are fit for office.
That doubt increases when your candidates are 74 and 78. A medical exam requirement could put voters’ minds at ease and lead to discrimination against specific disabilities and mental health conditions.
A US With a Criminal Record
Nothing prevents you from assuming the role if you have a criminal record. This is a surprise to some voters who expect their candidates to respect the law and be model citizens.
While some voters could overlook some more minor state-level crimes that are inconsequential, more significant federal crimes are another matter.
The 22nd Amendment on the Maximum Number of Terms in Office
Initially, there was no limit to the number of terms that a could stand for. However, as George Washington stood twice, there was an unwritten agreement that any president would stand down after two terms.
This changed with Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was elected to office in the on four occasions, and the 22nd Amendment discusses the number of terms that a can serve.
The 22nd Amendment came into effect via ratification on 27 February 1951. It states that a may only be elected to the office of for a total of two terms or eight years.
These terms don’t have to be consecutive, but you can’t run for a third. The Amendment came about after the four-term presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
could return
It is unclear if will attempt to run again in 2024 or head back into other ventures. If he wanted to, the 22nd Amendment would allow him the right to put his name forward and try again.
On the other hand, won two terms back-to-back, so he is ineligible to run again no matter how many votes he would receive.
Qualified Candidates Then Face a Simple Process To Run for US
If you meet all of the criteria, running for is surprisingly streamlined. There is a 4-step process to run when you meet the requirements.
First, fill out a statement of candidacy form – something not always necessary unless you’ve received more than $5,000 for your bid.
Then, get on the ballot for your chosen party or as an independent.
Once you’re on, you can participate in the debates to get the in the primaries. But, of course, you would usually also run the ticket with a .
If you win the nomination, you can continue on the trail and wait for the final from the .
Minimal Requirements and Qualifications
In short, the presidential requirements and qualifications are short, sweet, and relatively unchanged from the days of the constitution.
So if you are a natural-born with 14 years of residency, are over 35, haven’t served two terms before, and are willing to go through the process, you have a chance (however slight) to get elected.
Requirements and Qualifications To Become the US President Quiz
If you would like to download a PDF with our quiz, then please go to:
Alternatively, you can take our online quiz here:
10 Responses
Presidential candidate should have mental health checks.also after entering the WH.
Half way through their term they should be checked again. We deserve to know they’re healthy after all we elected them to protect us.
You do realize the President is a citizen of the United States and is protected by HIPAA.
Discloser would make that law moot
Greetings Sarge. (USAF E-4 here.) While I agree with 100% of your post, HIPAA could be amended to exclude President/Vice President from protection. However, given the gross polarity between both parties, one side would support an amendment with the other rejecting it.
Could it happen? Certainly.
Will it happen? Not in our lifetime. Not unless the polarization ends.
I think a problem with that rule is the question .. who determines who is mentally healthy
I thought for sure they had to live in a state a certain amount of time. I’m surprised.
Those born on foreign located military bases have birth certificates of the base’s U.S. county of linkage, as if born in that county. They are specifically and intentionally noted as natural-born citizens.
For instance, Taiwan located U. S. military naval base in 1961, births there are noted as certified for birth in a county near San Diego, Fort Pendleton , I think, therefore natural-born U.S. citizen
Additionally, as you said, all births on overseas US military bases have full citizenship and can run for president (Ted Cruz was born on a US base in Canada).
The world has become so complex and extensive knowledge of foreign affairs so important
educational criteria needs to be added.
For Trump to qualify. Wouldn’t he not have fraud charge’s or trying to over throw the government, stealing classified documents from the government, going against his oath of office inciting a riot on the capitol. So many case’s investigations on going against him. Twice Impeached
Oh come on… Criminal Records are not considered?? How about – Obstruction of justice? Or, inciting riots?