US elections 2024: How can an American make it to the White House as President? Key criteria and historical context

The United States of America is gearing-up for a historic election this November. After outgoing President Joe Biden announced his decision to not run for a second term, the Democrats chose his running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris as their official contender for the upcoming polls.

On the other hand, former US President Donald Trump is eyeing a second term in office, representing the right-wing Republican party. As Democrats and Republicans race for the White House once again, did you know the criteria that must be met to become the American President?

Also Read - US Elections 2024: How is the President of the world's oldest democracy elected?


To run for President of the United States, candidates must fulfill three main criteria:

• They must be a natural-born citizen of the United States.

• They need to have been a resident of the United States for at least 14 years.

• They must be at least 35 years old.

A "Natural Born Citizen" refers to individuals who are born with U.S. citizenship. This category includes those born within the United States, children of U.S. citizens born abroad, and those born abroad to at least one U.S. citizen parent.

These legal requirements for presidential candidates have remained unchanged since 1789, the year George Washington first assumed the presidency.

It was not until Barack Obama’s election in 2008, as the first non-white President in U.S. history, that significant legislative changes emerged at the state level.

During the 2008 presidential campaign, conspiracy theorists questioned Obama’s status as a natural-born citizen, claiming he was ineligible for the presidency based on constitutional requirements.

In response to these controversies, several state legislatures, including those in Iowa, New Hampshire, and Connecticut, began exploring legislation to require future presidential candidates to provide proof of eligibility before being allowed on the ballot in their states.

Also Read - US Elections 2024: How much does it cost to elect a President of the United States?