Once you′re eighteen, you may be eligible for various public offices. All three branches of government have positions filled by elected officials. The executive branch includes state governors and the U.S. president and the vice-president; the legislative branch includes state representatives and senators, as well as Congress; and the judicial branch consists of elected judges. City, county, and town offices are also staffed by elected officials.
Due to variations from state to state, you′ll have to check out the exact requirements of the office you′re interested in. Age and residency requirements may affect your decision to run. For example, to run for president of the United States, you must be thirty-five years old, a natural-born U.S. citizen, and a U.S. resident for at least fourteen years.
You might want to start out by exploring opportunities on the local level of government, and you can get involved while still in school. Join a student club or local political organization (such as the Young Democrats, Young Republicans, or groups affiliated with the Reform Party, Green Party, or other political organizations).Volunteer to help with a local campaign—stuffing envelopes, working a phone bank, or distributing literature. Learning all aspects of a campaign will come in handy down the road.
Websites for Teens Interested in Politics
