All Candidates

must be eligible to vote in Minnesota

must have not filed for another office at the upcoming primary or general election

must be 21 years of age or more upon assuming office

must have maintained residence in their district* for at least 30 days before the general election

*Note: Candidates for federal office are exempt; see Additional Qualifications for Specific Offices below.

Major Party Candidates

must have participated in the party's most recent precinct caucuses, or intend to vote for a majority of the party's candidates at the next general election

Additional Qualifications for Specific Offices

United States Senator

must be an inhabitant of Minnesota when elected

must be at least 30 years old upon assuming office

must be a citizen of the United States for at least nine years upon assuming office

United States Representative

must be an inhabitant of Minnesota when elected

must be at least 25 years old upon assuming office

must be a citizen of the United States at least seven years upon assuming office

Governor or Lieutenant Governor

must be at least 25 years old upon assuming office

must be a resident of Minnesota for at least one year before the general election

State Judicial Officers

must be licensed to practice law in Minnesota

State Senator or Representative

must be a resident of Minnesota for at least one year before the general election

must be a resident of their district for at least six months before the general election

County Sheriff

must be licensed as a peace officer in Minnesota

School Board Member

must have not been convicted of an offense for which they are required to register as a predatory offender under Minnesota Statutes 243.166

Information about other qualifications for county, municipal, school district, or special district offices is available from the filing officer.

Holding Two Offices at the Same Time

Minnesota Statutes provide that one person cannot hold certain combinations of offices at the same time, with a few exceptions. Review the Compatibility of Offices brief written by Minnesota House Research for more information on this topic.