Let's cut straight to it: You've probably wondered why you gotta be 35 to run for president. I did too back in high school when I first read it in my civics textbook. Made zero sense to teenage me wanting to change the world. But there's actual history and logic behind this rule, even if parts feel outdated now. We're diving deep today on the minimum age to be president – why it exists, how it stacks up globally, and whether it still makes sense in 2024.
What the Constitution Actually Says
Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution drops the requirement plain and simple:
"No Person except a natural born Citizen... shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States."
Notice how it pairs age with residency? The Founding Fathers were paranoid about foreign influence. Honestly though, 35 felt ancient in the 1700s when life expectancy hovered around 40. Today it seems arbitrary – like why not 30 or 40? John Adams actually pushed for 35 at the Constitutional Convention arguing presidents need "maturity of judgement." But Benjamin Franklin (who was 81 at the time!) thought it was nonsense. Some things never change...
How the Presidency Compares to Other Offices
Ever notice how you can fight in wars at 18 but can't run for president? The age ladder in U.S. politics is wild:
| Political Office | Minimum Age | Constitutional Basis |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. President | 35 years | Article II, Section 1 |
| U.S. Senator | 30 years | Article I, Section 3 |
| U.S. Representative | 25 years | Article I, Section 2 |
| State Governor | Varies by state (18-30) | State constitutions |
The youngest governor ever was 24 (Harold Stassen in Minnesota, 1938). Makes you wonder why we trust states to governors that young but not the White House. Personally, I've met 30-year-olds with more wisdom than some 60-year-olds in DC.
Why 35? The Founding Fathers' Logic
The 1787 debates reveal three big worries driving the minimum age to be president:
- Fear of monarchy: Young European kings dragged nations into stupid wars. Alexander Hamilton wrote that young leaders tend toward "rash ambition."
- Life experience: James Madison argued you needed years to understand complex trade and diplomacy. (Though let's be real, most 35-year-olds today aren't negotiating treaties)
- Stability: Older leaders were seen as less likely to seek military glory. Funny considering most post-WWII conflicts were started by presidents over 50.
Still, the rule almost didn't happen. Early drafts set the age at 30. George Washington’s quiet support for 35 tipped the scales. Historical irony: The first five presidents were all over 57 when elected!
Global Age Requirements for Leaders
Compared internationally, America's minimum age requirement for president is middle-of-the-road:
| Country | Minimum Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | 50 | Must be over 50 to be president |
| United States | 35 | Fixed constitutional requirement |
| France | 18 | No minimum age in constitution |
| Iran | Approx. 21 | Based on Islamic law interpretations |
| New Zealand | 18 | Prime Minister can technically be teenager |
See how France has no age limit? Their youngest president (Macron) was 39. Meanwhile, Italy's requirement feels like gerontocracy. Makes our 35 seem almost reasonable.
Arguments That Keep Bubbling Up
Every election cycle, someone complains about the minimum age to be president. Here's where people stand:
Why Keep It?
- Presidents handle nuclear codes – should require proven judgment
- Prevents populist demagogues (imagine a 25-year-old TikTok president)
- Gives time to build policy expertise and relationships
Why Ditch It?
- Age ≠ competence (look at congressional aging issues)
- Discriminates against young political talent
- Founders couldn't imagine modern life expectancy (we live 40+ years longer now)
My two cents? The rule protected us from young hotheads in 1800. Today, we've got 78-year-olds tweeting at 3am. Maybe we're focused on the wrong metric.
What If You Changed It?
Amending the minimum age requirement takes nuclear-level effort:
- Proposal: Needs 2/3 vote in both House and Senate OR constitutional convention called by 34 states (never happened)
- Ratification: 38 states must approve within 7 years
Real talk: Since 1787, only 27 amendments passed. The last meaningful one (27th) took 202 years! Attempts to lower the minimum age to be president went nowhere in 2004 and 2009. Truth is, Congress won't touch this when healthcare and taxes dominate. Still, states could theoretically pressure through a convention. Unlikely but fascinating to ponder.
Youngest and Oldest Presidents in History
Data shows age alone predicts nothing about presidential success:
| President | Age at Inauguration | Historical Ranking (C-SPAN) |
|---|---|---|
| Theodore Roosevelt | 42 (youngest ever) | #4 out of 44 |
| John F. Kennedy | 43 | #8 out of 44 |
| Joe Biden | 78 (oldest ever) | TBD (current) |
| Donald Trump | 70 | TBD (current) |
TR became president after McKinley's assassination and won reelection at 46. JFK navigated the Cuban Missile Crisis at 45. Meanwhile, William Henry Harrison (oldest president before Reagan) died 31 days into his term at age 68. Makes you wonder if we should require medical exams instead of obsessing over birth years.
Future of the Age Requirement
With Gen Z entering politics and boomers refusing to retire, tensions will grow. Some states already challenge age norms:
- In 2023, Michigan elected 18-year-old Lamar Lemmons III to local office
- Colorado's 28-year-old congressional rep caught flak for being "too young" despite meeting age requirements
Could we see a Supreme Court case testing the minimum age to be president? Doubtful – it's too clearly written. But imagine a scenario where a 34-year-old wins the electoral college but gets blocked. Constitutional crisis material right there.
Burning Questions About Presidential Age Rules
Can states set higher requirements than 35?
Nope. The Constitution sets the floor – states can't add restrictions. When Tennessee tried requiring presidential candidates to disclose tax returns, courts struck it down as unconstitutional. Federal supremacy prevails.
Does birthday timing matter for minimum age?
Absolutely! You must be 35 by Inauguration Day (January 20). Theodore Roosevelt was 42 years and 322 days when sworn in. Had he been elected 44 days earlier? Constitutionally ineligible. Talk about birthday pressure.
Has anyone under 35 ever received electoral votes?
Surprisingly yes! In 2016, Evan McMullin (then 40) got votes, but also faithless electors scattered votes to people like Colin Powell (79) and John Kasich (64). The youngest vote-getter? 19th century congressman John C. Fremont at 43. Close but no cigar.
Could a 34-year-old serve as VP then become president?
Tricky. The 12th Amendment says VPs must meet presidential eligibility rules. So no – you can't have a 34-year-old VP waiting to inherit the Oval Office. Clever loophole attempt though!
Do any polls show public opinion on changing the requirement?
2022 YouGov data reveals:
- 51% of under-30s support lowering the minimum age
- Only 19% of over-65s agree
Overall? 62% want to keep it at 35. Guess young folks need to vote more to change that.
Look, whether you think 35 is too high or too low, this rule isn't budging soon. What fascinates me is how it reveals our assumptions about leadership. We demand presidents have wisdom that only comes with age, but also energy that fades with years. Maybe cognitive testing would serve us better than calendar-watching. After all, the minimum age to be president hasn't stopped great young leaders or prevented disastrous old ones. Food for thought next election cycle.