- There's no special degree or test you need to pass in order to hold office in the United States.

Our government is purposely set up so that anyone who meets a few simple requirements can bring their ideas to the table should they be elected.

If you have dreams of running for federal office, here's what you need to know.

(dramatic uplifting music) (light music) In order to be qualified for President, you must be a natural-born citizen of the United States, be at least 35 years old, and have lived in the United States for at least 14 years leading up to the election.

You don't need to have been born in the United States to run for Congress.

In the Senate, you just need to have been a citizen for nine years, be 30 years old, and a resident of the state you will be representing.

In the house, you only need to be a citizen for seven years, be 25 years old, and a resident of the state, but not necessarily the district you'll be representing.

After that, the only other barrier to entry is convincing the American people that you are the right person for the job.

This low threshold ensures as many ideas as possible enter the marketplace to address the issues we all face today.

Federal judges like those on the Supreme Court are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

There are no formal requirements for being a federal judge, including age and residency.

You don't even technically need to have legal training, although it's not likely you'll be confirmed if you've never practiced law before.

(gavel clacking) States set their own requirements for governor and other state and local positions.

Many set the age to be governor at around 25 to 30, and set the age to be mayor or a state legislator as young as 18.

You can check with your state's Secretary of State office to learn what's required in your area.

There are some notable examples of young people stepping up to hold public office.

Michigan's first Governor, Stevens T. Mason was just 24 years old when he took office in 1835.

Despite not meeting the age requirement, President Andrew Jackson convinced the Tennessee legislature to appoint 28-year-old John Eaton to the US Senate, making him the youngest to take that office.

Rush Holt was our nation's youngest elected senator, and he was elected at 29, and had to wait until his 30th birthday the following June in order to officially take his seat.

Theodore Roosevelt was our youngest president to take office, being sworn in at 42 following the assassination of President McKinley.

John F. Kennedy was the youngest president at the time of his election at 43.

And in 1812, Joseph Story became the youngest person to be appointed to the Supreme Court at just 32 years old.

So as you can see, age is truly just a number when it comes to running for office.

With that in mind, would you run for office?

(light staccato music)