2004 Minimum Qualifications

Office

Minimum Age

State Resident

US Citizen

Registered Voter 1

Term of Office

Number of Terms
US Senate 2 30 1 day 9 years yes 6 no limit
US House of Representatives3 25 1 day 7 years yes 2 no limit
Governor 4, 6 30 7 years 10 years yes 4 2
Lt. Governor 4, 6 30 7 years 10 years yes 4 2
Secretary of State 5,6 25 5 years 7 years yes 4 2
Attorney General 5,6 25 5 years 7 years yes 4 2
State Auditor 5,6 25 5 years 7 years yes 4 2
State Treasurer 5,6 25 5 years 7 years yes 4 2
Commissioner of Agriculture and Industry 5,6 25 5 years 7 years yes 4 2
Public Service Commission 7, 8 18 1 day 1 day yes 4 no limit
Supreme Court Justice 7, 9, 26 18 1 day 1 day yes 6 no limit
Must be licensed to practice law in Alabama. No one may be elected or appointed to a judicial office after reaching the age of 70. Must have been licensed by the Alabama State Bar Association a combined total of 10 years or more, or by any other state bar association for a combined total of 10 years or more, prior to beginning a term of office or appointment to serve a vacant term of office.
Court of Criminal Appeals 7, 9, 27 18 1 day 1 day yes 6 no limit
Must be licensed to practice law in Alabama. No one may be elected or appointed to a judicial office after reaching the age of 70. Must have been licensed by the Alabama State Bar Association a combined total of 10 years or more, or by any other state bar association for a combined total of 10 years or more, prior to beginning a term of office or appointment to serve a vacant term of office.
Court of Civil Appeals 7, 9, 27 18 1 day 1 day yes 6 no limit
Must be licensed to practice law in Alabama. No one may be elected or appointed to a judicial office after reaching the age of 70. Must have been licensed by the Alabama State Bar Association a combined total of 10 years or more, or by any other state bar association for a combined total of 10 years or more, prior to beginning a term of office or appointment to serve a vacant term of office.
State Board of Education 7,9 18 1 day 1 day yes 4 no limit
State Senate 7, 11 25 3 years 1 day yes 4 no limit
Must be a resident of the district for one year prior to the election.
State House of Representatives 7, 11 21 3 years 1 day yes 4 no limit
Must be a resident of the district for one year prior to the election.
Circuit Judge 7, 9, 12, 28 18 1 year 1 day yes 6 no limit
Must be licensed to practice law in Alabama. Must have resided in the circuit in which candidate seeks to serve for one year prior to election. No one may be elected or appointed to a judicial office after reaching the age of 70. Must have been licensed by the Alabama State Bar Association a combined total of 5 years or more, or by any other state bar association for a combined total of 5 years or more, prior to beginning a term of office or appointment to serve a vacant term of office.
District Judge 7, 9, 13, 29 18 1 year 1 day yes 6 no limit
Must be licensed to practice law in Alabama. Must have resided in the circuit in which candidate seeks to serve for one year prior to election. No one may be elected or appointed to a judicial office after reaching the age of 70. Must have been licensed by the Alabama State Bar Association a combined total of 3 years or more, or by any other state bar association for a combined total of 3 years or more, prior to beginning a term of office or appointment to serve a vacant term of office.
District Attorney 7, 14 18 1 year 1 day yes 6 no limit
Must be licensed to practice law in Alabama. Must have resided in the district which candidate seeks to represent for one year prior to election.
Probate Judge 7, 9, 15 18 1 year 1 day yes 6 no limit
Must have resided in the district which candidate seeks to represent for one year prior to election. No one may be elected or appointed to a judicial office after reaching the age of 70.
Circuit Clerk 7, 16 18 1 day 1 day yes 6 no limit
Sheriff 7, 17 18 1 day 1 day yes 4 no limit
Coroner 7, 18, 25 25 1 day 1 day yes 4 no limit
County Superintendent of Education 7,19 18 1 day 1 day yes varies varies
See §16-9-2 for qualifications.
County Board of Education 7, 20 18 1 day 1 day yes 4 & 6 no limit
Must be a resident of the county which the candidate seeks to represent one year prior to election.
County Commission 7, 21 18 1 day 1 day yes 4 & 6 no limit
Must be a resident of the county for at least one year prior to the date of taking office. If representing a specific district, must be a resident of the district for at least one year prior to the date of taking office.
Mayor 7, 22 18 90 days 1 day yes 4 no limit
Must be a resident of the city for 90 days prior to election.
City Council 7, 23 18 90 days 1 day yes 4 no limit
Must be a resident of the city or district for 90 days prior to election.
City Commission 7, 23, 24 19 90 days 1 day yes 4 no limit
Must be a resident of the city for 90 days prior to election.

Footnotes
1) All candidates participating in party primary elections must be a registered voter (§17-13-6) 
2) U.S. Constitution, Art. 1, Sec. 3 
3) U.S. Constitution, Art. 1, Sec. 2 
4) Constitution of Alabama of 1901, Art. V, Sec. 117 
5) Constitution of Alabama of 1901, Art. V, Sec. 132 
6) Constitution of Alabama of 1901, Amendment No. 282 
7) §17-3-30, §36-2-1 
8) §37-1-3 
9) Constitution of Alabama of 1901, Amendment No. 328, Sec 6.07, 6.15, 6.16 
10) §16-3-1, §16-3-3 
11) Constitution of Alabama of 1901, Art. IV, Sec. 47 
12) §12-17-22 
13) §12-17-63, §12-17-64 
14) §12-17-180, §12-17-183 
15) §12-13-30, §12-13-31 
16) Constitution of Alabama of 1901, Amendment No. 328, Sec. 6.20 
17) Constitution of Alabama of 1901, Amendment No. 35 
18) §11-5-1 
19) §16-9-1, §16-9-2 
20) §16-8-1, §16-8-2 
21) §11-3-1, §36-3-4 
22) §11-43-1, §11-43-2, §11-46-25 
23) §11-43-63, §11-46-25 
24) §11-44-38 
25) §11-5-33 
26) §12-2-1 (b) as amended by Act 2009-562 
27) §12-3-1 as amended by Act 2009-562 
28) §12-11-1 as amended by Act 2009-562 
29) §12-12-1 as amended by Act 2009-562 

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  • Phone: (334) 242-7200
  • Fax: (334) 242-4993