You’ve probably heard it since middle school civics class: you have to be 35 to be the President. It sounds simple. It’s one of those hard-coded rules in the U.S. Constitution that seems like it’s set in stone. But honestly, if you look at how this rule has played out over the last couple of centuries, it’s a lot weirder than just a number on a birthday card.
The age to become president of the united states is a frequent topic of debate, especially lately. Why 35? Why not 30 or 50? And why on earth isn’t there an upper limit?
The Magic Number: Why 35?
Back in 1787, when the Framers were sweating it out in Philadelphia, they weren't just picking numbers out of a hat. They had some very specific ideas about maturity. At the time, life expectancy wasn't exactly what it is today, but people still lived into their 70s and 80s if they survived childhood. The "average" life expectancy was low mainly because of infant mortality.
The Founders wanted someone with "period of life most likely to supply these advantages" of information and stability. That’s how James Madison put it in The Federalist No. 62. They basically thought a 25-year-old was too impulsive. They wanted a track record. They wanted someone the public had been watching for a decade or two.
Funny enough, not everyone agreed. James Wilson, who later became a Supreme Court Justice, thought age limits were a bad idea. He argued they would "damp the efforts of genius." He even pointed to William Pitt the Younger, who became the British Prime Minister at 24. Imagine a 24-year-old in the Oval Office today. The TikToks would be legendary, but the Founders weren't having it. They settled on 35 as the sweet spot between "youthful energy" and "old man wisdom."
The Three Pillars of Eligibility
While we're talking about the age to become president of the united states, it’s worth remembering that age isn't the only gatekeeper. Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution lists three hard requirements:
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- You must be at least 35 years old.
- You must be a natural-born citizen.
- You must have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years.
Youngest and Oldest: Breaking the Curve
We often think of the President as an "old person's job." For most of history, that was true. But the records are actually pretty surprising.
Theodore Roosevelt is technically the youngest person to ever become president. He was just 42 when he took the oath in 1901. But wait—he wasn't elected at 42. He stepped in after William McKinley was assassinated.
If you’re looking for the youngest person elected to the office, that’s John F. Kennedy. He was 43 when he won in 1960. People at the time actually worried he was too young. They called him "boyish."
On the flip side, the ceiling has been shattered recently. In 2024 and heading into 2026, the conversation has flipped from "too young" to "too old." Donald Trump became the oldest person inaugurated when he took the oath for his second term at age 78. He actually edged out Joe Biden, who was also 78 at his inauguration but a few months younger than Trump was at his second start.
It’s a massive jump from the 40s and 50s where most presidents usually land.
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The Missing "Upper Limit"
Here is what’s wild: there is absolutely no maximum age.
You could be 110 years old and, as long as you can win the Electoral College and breathe, you're eligible. This has led to some pretty heated debates in Congress recently. Some people are pushing for a "ceiling."
In 2023, Representative John James introduced a proposal called House Joint Resolution 87. The idea? Bar anyone from being elected to federal office—President, House, or Senate—if they’d turn 75 during their term.
It hasn't passed. Honestly, it probably won't anytime soon. Amending the Constitution is a nightmare. You need a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate, and then three-quarters of the states have to say yes. In our current political climate, getting three-quarters of states to agree on the color of the sky is a tall order.
The Argument for a Cap
- Cognitive Vigor: Critics argue the job is too stressful for someone in their late 70s or 80s.
- Generational Representation: Some feel the leadership is "out of touch" with younger voters' realities.
- Risk of Incapacity: The 25th Amendment exists for a reason, but using it is a political hand grenade.
The Argument Against a Cap
- Ageism: Many experts, like professors at VCU, argue that age is a poor predictor of health. Some 80-year-olds are sharper than 40-year-olds.
- Voter Choice: If the people want an 80-year-old, shouldn't they be allowed to vote for one?
- Wisdom: There’s no substitute for fifty years of foreign policy experience.
Is the Age Requirement Still Relevant?
Some people think the age to become president of the united states should actually be lowered. They look at tech founders or social activists in their late 20s and wonder why they can’t run.
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But then you look at the Senate. You have to be 30 to be a Senator and 25 to be in the House. It’s a ladder. The system was designed to make the Presidency the final step, the "mature" branch.
Whether 35 is still the right number is up for debate, but it's the one we've got. It’s functioned as a filter for over 230 years. It ensures that whoever sits behind the Resolute Desk has at least lived through a few different eras of American life.
If you're planning a run for 2028 or 2032, check your birth certificate. If you were born after 1993, you're probably out of luck for the next cycle. But hey, that gives you more time to build that "track record" the Founders were so obsessed with.
To get a real sense of where you stand or to help someone else navigate the path to office, start by looking at your local and state requirements. Many state governorships or legislative seats have lower age floors, often 25 or 30. Building a political resume there is the traditional way to prove you’ve got the "maturity" the federal system demands. Check your local board of elections website to see the specific filing deadlines and age rules for your district—it’s the best way to move from spectator to participant.