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Qualifications for governor in each state
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Updated September 2025
This page provides information on qualifications for the office of governor in each state. Qualifications are set out in state constitutions. For sources and more information on the governorship by state, click on the headings below.
Governor of Alabama
The governor must be:
- at least 30 years old
- an American citizen for at least 10 years on the date of the election
- a resident of Alabama for at least seven years
Additionally, the governor may not hold any federal or state office in Alabama concurrently with his or her gubernatorial term.
Governor of Alaska
The governor of Alaska must:
- be at least 30 years old
- be a qualified voter in Alaska
- have been both an American citizen and a resident of Alaska for a minimum of seven years on election day
The governor may not hold any federal office or any state office in Alaska while serving as governor.
Governor of Arizona
The governor must:
- be at least 25 years old
- have been an American citizen for 10 years
- have been a resident of Arizona for a minimum of five years on election day
Governor of Arkansas
The governor must be:
- at least 30 years old
- be a qualified voter in Arkansas
- an American citizen
- a resident of Arkansas for at least seven years on election day
The governor may not hold any federal office, any civil or military commission, any office in another state, or any other office in Arkansas concurrently with his or her gubernatorial term.
Governor of California
A governor must be:
- a registered voter in California
- a resident of the state for at least five years on election day
- an American citizen for at least five years*
The governor may not hold any other public offices, engage in any lobbying, or accept any honorariums.
*As of July 2021, the California Secretary of State's office considered the five-year state residency requirement to run for political office to be in violation of the U.S. Constitution and required only that candidates hold U.S. citizenship.[1]
Governor of Colorado
Colorado requires all candidates for the governorship to be:
- at least 30 years old
- a U.S. citizen
- a resident of Colorado for at least two years on the day of the election. The standard for residency is not affected by time out of the state due to civil or military service (Article VII, Section 4)
Article III forbids any officer of the executive department from holding any legislative or judicial office.
A candidate is disqualified from holding the office of governor if he or she has been convicted of "embezzlement of public moneys, bribery, perjury, solicitation of bribery, or subornation of perjury"(Article XII, § 4). Additionally, any civil officer who "solicits, demands, or receives" a bribe forfeits his or her office and his or her right to hold any other office in the future, and is liable to criminal penalties (Article XII, § 6).
Governor of Connecticut
All gubernatorial candidates must be:
- at least 30 years old
- a U.S. citizen
- a registered voter
- a resident of Connecticut for at least six months
Governor of Delaware
In Delaware, the governor must be:
- at least 30 years old
- a citizen of the United States for at least 12 years on the day of the election
- a resident of Delaware for at least six years on the same date
Governor of Florida
The governor must:
- be at least 30 years old
- have been a resident and registered voter of Florida for at least seven years
Governor of Georgia
Georgia's governor must:
- be at least 30 years old on the day he or she assumes office
- have been a resident of Georgia for at least six years
- have been an American citizen for at least 15 years on the day of election
Governor of Hawaii
A governor is:
- required to be at least 30 years old
- required to be a qualified voter
- required to have been a U.S. citizen and a resident of Hawaii for five consecutive years previous to election
- barred from other professions or paid positions during the term
Governor of Idaho
A candidate for governor in Idaho is required to be:
- at least 30 years old
- a qualified voter
- a United States citizen
- a resident of Idaho at least two years prior to the election
Governor of Illinois
An Illinois governor is required to be:
- at least 25 years old
- a qualified voter
- a United States citizen
- a resident of Illinois for three years prior to election.
Governor of Indiana
To become governor of Indiana, a candidate must:
- have been a United States citizen and lived in Indiana for a period of five consecutive years before the election
- be a qualified voter
- be at least 30 years old when sworn into office
The governor may not hold any other state or federal office during his or her term, and must resign from any such position before being eligible to be sworn in as governor.
Before taking the office, the candidate must swear an oath of office administered by the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Indiana, promising to uphold the constitution and laws of Indiana.
Governor of Iowa
A candidate for governor is required to be:
- at least 30 years old by the time of election
- a qualified voter
- a United States citizen
- a resident of Iowa for at least two years before the election
Additionally, no governor may hold any other federal or state office while serving.
Governor of Kansas
A candidate for governor of must:
- be at least 25 years old
Governor of Kentucky
A candidate for governor is required to be:
- at least 30 years old
- a qualified voter
- a U.S. citizen
- have resided in the state for at least two years preceding the general election
Governor of Louisiana
Under Article IV, Section 2, a candidate for governor is required to:
- have attained the age of 25 years
- be an elector
- have been a citizen of the United States and a citizen of Louisiana for at least the preceding five years
The term of office of the Governor of Louisiana is four years. During his or her tenure in office, a statewide elected official shall hold no other public office.
Governor of Maine
A candidate for governor is required to be:
- at least 30 years of age
- a United States citizen for at least 15 years
- a Maine resident for at least five years, resident of Maine at the time of election and during the term for which elected
During his or her tenure in office, a statewide elected official shall hold no other public office.
Governor of Maryland
A candidate for the governor's chair must be:
- must be at least 30 years old
- a U.S. citizen
- a resident and registered voter in Maryland for the five years preceding the election
Governor of Massachusetts
A candidate for the governorship must:
- be a registered elector in the state
- have been a resident for at least seven years before taking office
Governor of Michigan
A candidate for governor is required to be:
- at least 30 years old
- a U.S. citizen
- a resident of Michigan
- a registered voter in the state of Michigan for at least four years preceding the election
Governor of Minnesota
Candidates for governor in Minnesota must:
- be at least 25 years old
- be a qualified voter
- be a U.S. citizen
- have been a Minnesota resident for one year before the election
Governor of Mississippi
A gubernatorial candidate must be:
- at least 30 years old
- a qualified voter
- a citizen of the United States for 20 years
- a resident of the state five years
Governor of Missouri
A candidate for governor must be:
- at least thirty years old
- a citizen of the United States for at least 15 years
- a resident of Missouri for at least 10 years
Governor of Montana
A candidate for Montana governor must be:
- at least 25 years of age or older at the time of election
- a qualified voter
- a citizen of the United States
- have resided within the state for at least two years at his or her election
Governor of Nebraska
A candidate for governor of Nebraska must be:
- at least 30 years old
- a resident of the state of Nebraska for at least five years
- a citizen of the United States
While serving, the governor is ineligible for any other state office.
Governor of Nevada
Candidates for governor must be:
- at least 25 years old
- a registered elector
- a resident of Nevada for at least two years
While in office, the governor may not hold any federal level office.
Governor of New Hampshire
Candidates for governor must:
- be at least 30 years old
- be a U.S. citizen
- have been a resident of New Hampshire for at least seven years on the day of the election
Governor of New Jersey
A candidate for New Jersey governor must be:
- at least 30 years old
- be a qualified voter
- a U.S. citizen for at least 20 years
- a resident of New Jersey for at least seven years
No governor shall hold office in any other state or under the federal government, nor shall a sitting governor be elected to any legislative seat. Governors who accept any state or federal position or profit are considered to have vacated their seat.
Governor of New Mexico
A candidate for the governorship must be:
- at least 30 years old
- a qualified voter
- a citizen of the United States
- a resident of New Mexico continuously for five years on the day of the election
Governor of New York
A candidate for the governor's office in New York must be:
- a citizen of the United States
- at least 30 years old
- a resident of New York for at least five years before the election
Governor of North Carolina
A candidate for governor must be:
- at least 30 years old
- a qualified voter
- a citizen of the United States for at least five years
- a resident of North Carolina for at least two years
Additionally, no governor-elect may take office until he or she has taken an oath before the chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court.
Governor of North Dakota
A candidate for governor must be:
- at least 30 years old
- a U.S. citizen
- a resident of North Dakota for at least five years
- a duly registered elector of North Dakota
Governor of Ohio
A candidate for governor must be:
- at least 18 years old
- a qualified voter
- a resident of Ohio
- a U.S. citizen
A candidate for the governor's office may not hold any congressional or federal office or any other state office.
Governor of Oklahoma
A candidate for the governorship must be:
- a citizen of the United States for at least 10 years
- at least 31 years old
- a resident of Oklahoma for at least 10 years
To file for a political party, a citizen must be a member of that party for six months before the first day to file as a candidate for governor.
Governor of Oregon
A candidate for the governorship must be:
- a United States citizen
- at least 30 years old
- a resident of Oregon for at least three years
The age requirement does not apply to someone who succeeds to office under Section 8a of Article V.
Governor of Pennsylvania
A candidate for the governor must be:
- a citizen of the United States
- a registered voter
- at least 30 years old
- a resident of Pennsylvania for at least seven years
Additionally, the governor may not hold Congressional office, any other office under the Commonwealth, or any federal office. The exception is that the governor may be a reserve member of the National Guard.
Governor of Rhode Island
Governors of Rhode Island must:
- be qualified electors of Rhode Island for 30 days
- a U.S. citizen for 30 days
- a state resident for 30 days
- not be serving a sentence for, on probation for, or on parole for any felony
- not be bound by any other oath of Office, including holding any other state office or holding a federal office
Governor of South Carolina
A candidate for the governor must be:
- at least 30 years old
- a citizen of the United States
- a resident of South Carolina for at least five years
- believe in the existence of the "Supreme Being" (unenforceable)
Additionally, the Governor may not hold office or a commission under any other power, excepting that of a militia.
In 1996, a man named Herb Silverman challenged the portion of state constitution that required a belief in the "Supreme Being," arguing that it violated the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and the constitutional prohibition on religious tests being required to hold public office. The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled that the requirement for gubernatorial candidates to believe in the "Supreme Being" did violate the United States Constitution. While the requirement has not technically been repealed, it is unenforceable.
Governor of South Dakota
A candidate for the office of the governor must be:
- a citizen of the United States
- a registered voter
- at least 21 years old
- a resident of South Dakota for at least two years as of the election
Governor of Tennessee
A candidate for governor must be:
- at least 30 years old
- a citizen of the United States
- a citizen of Tennessee for at least seven years upon his or her election
Additionally, no member of Congress and no one holding any other state office or any federal office may execute the duties of the office of the governor.
Governor of Texas
A candidate for governor must be:
- at least thirty years of age
- a citizen of the United States
- a resident of Texas for at least five years immediately preceding his or her election
Additionally, according to the state constitution, the governor "shall not hold any other office: civil, military or corporate; nor shall he practice any profession, and receive compensation, reward, fee, or the promise thereof for the same; nor receive any salary, reward or compensation or the promise thereof from any person or corporation, for any service rendered or performed during the time he is Governor, or to be thereafter rendered or performed."
Governor of Utah
A candidate for governor must be:
- at least 30 years old
- a resident of Utah for at least five years on the day of the election
- a United States citizen for at least 3 years
- a qualified elector of Utah at the time of election
Additionally, sitting governors may not hold any federal office, any state office other than the governorship, or be elected to the United States Senate during their terms.
Governor of Vermont
A candidate for governor must be:
- a resident of Vermont for at least four years on the day of the election
- a registered voter
- a U.S. citizen
- at least 18 years old
Governors may not hold any legislative office or any other constitutional office. Excepting positions in military reserves, they also may not hold any office under the federal government. Nor is the governor eligible for any appointed position made by any branch of the Vermont government.
Governor of Virginia
A candidate for the office of governor of Virginia must be:
- a United States citizen
- a resident and registered voter of Virginia for at least five years preceding the election
- at least 30 years old
Governor of Washington
A candidate for governor must be:
- a citizen of the United States
- a resident of Washington
- a qualified elector of the state of Washington
- at least 18 years old
Governor of West Virginia
A candidate for governor must be:
- a citizen of the United States
- a resident of West Virginia for at least five years preceding the election
- a duly qualified elector of West Virginia
- at least 30 years old
Additionally, the Governor may hold no federal office and no state office aide from the governorship.
Under Article IV, Section 10, no individual who has fought a duel with deadly weapons, sent a challenge for such a duel, or knowingly acted as a second in such a duel in West Virginia or in any other state may hold any office in West Virginia.
Governor of Wisconsin
In order to be eligible for the office of governor of Wisconsin, a candidate must be:
- a citizen of the United States
- a resident of Wisconsin
- a qualified voter in the state of Wisconsin
- at least 18 years old
Additionally, general requirements to hold office in Wisconsin stipulate that no candidate may:
- hold any office, honor or profit under any foreign power
- hold any federal office
- be a convicted felon
- be convicted of any misdemeanor involving a violation of the public trust
Governor of Wyoming
A candidate for governor must be:
- a citizen of the United States
- a resident of Wyoming for at least five years preceding the election
- a qualified elector of Wyoming on the day of the election
- at least 30 years old
Additionally, a sitting governor is ineligible for any other office.
Any governor who asks for, receives, or agrees to receive a bribe automatically forfeits his or her office and his or her right to hold any other office in Wyoming upon conviction.
Footnotes
