Qualifications for Legislative Office
Candidates for the legislature must meet certain qualifications prescribed by the state constitution.
- Candidates for the legislature must be qualified Minnesota voters
when elected. This means that at the time of the general election (in early
November of even-numbered years) a candidate for the legislature must
have been a U.S. citizen for three months and must not fall into a class of
persons not permitted to vote: persons convicted of treason or felony, unless
restored to civil rights; persons under guardianship; and persons who are insane
or mentally incompetent.
- Candidates for the legislature must meet legislative residency
requirements when elected. This means that at the time of the general election,
a candidate for the legislature must have resided in the state for one year and
must have resided in the legislative district for six months.
- Candidates for the legislature must be at least 21 years of age
when the legislative term of office begins, early in January of odd-numbered years.
Minn. Const., art. IV, sec. 6,
art. VII, sec. 1, 6.
The constitution forbids legislators to hold any other
public office, except that of postmaster or notary public, and requires the
resignation of a legislator elected or appointed to another public office.
Minn. Const., art. IV, sec. 5.
The constitution makes each house the judge of the election
returns and eligibility of its members. When the validity of a legislative
election is challenged, a judicial proceeding assembles evidence as an aid to
the House or Senate in making the final determination.
Minn. Const., art. IV, sec. 6;
Minn. Stat., sec. 209.10.
August 2014