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Candidates / Office Requirements

Below is a quick look at general requirements to hold Federal, State, and Local offices:

President of the United States

  • Must be born a citizen of the United States of America

  • Minimum age of 35 years

  • Residing in the United States of America a minimum of 14 years

  • Statute:  United States Constitution Article 2, Section 1, Clause 5

United States Senator

  • Must be a citizen 9 years

  • Minimum age of 30 years

  • Resident of State when Elected

  • Statute:  United States Constitution Article 1, Section 3, Clause 3

United States House of Representatives (Congressman)

  • Must be a citizen 7 years

  • Minimum age of 25 years

  • Resident of State when Elected

  • Statute:  United States Constitution Article 1, Section 2, Clause 2

New York State Governor  (Lt Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller)

  • Citizen of the United States

  • Minimum age of 30 years

  • Resident of State five (5) years immediately preceding Election

  • Statute:  New York Constitution Article 4, Section 2 and Article 4, Section 3

New York State Senator / Assembly Member

  • Citizen of the United States

  • Minimum age of 18 years

  • Resident of State five (5) years

  • Resident of District for twelve (12) months immediately preceding Election

  • In a redistricting year, may be a resident of a county within District for twelve (12) months immediately preceding Election.

  • Statute:  New York State Constitution Article 3, Section 7 and Public Officers Law Section 3

County / Local Offices

  • Citizen of the United States

  • Minimum age of 18 years

  • Resident of Political Subdivision at the time Elected Official takes office.

  • Statute:  Public Officers Law Section 3

Contact Us!

If you cannot find the answer you're looking for on our website or you'd like further information or help - please do not hesitate to contact the BOE directly, our staff will try to assist you anyway we can.

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