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Presidential Field Continues to Grow

Four more people, three republicans and one democrat, throw their hat in the presidential ring this week. Eighteen months before election day, the republican presidential field is growing by leaps and bounds. But it's not just former politicians who will be taking to the campaign trail.

Political newcomers Ben Carson and Carly Fiorina, along with former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee announced plans to run for the republican presidential nomination earlier this week. Ben Carson, who is a retired neurosurgeon, and Carly Fioriana, who is the former CEO of Fortune 500 company Hewlett Packard are notable not because they're front runners  - but because they're even running at all. Neither has ever been elected to public office. Senator Bernie Sanders also announced his plans to run. If you're keeping count, that's eight candidates all together who have started their 2016 campaigns.

We'll be seeing more and more of those faces over the next few months.. and many more candidates are expected to make announcements soon. So what are the qualifications required to run for president?

Surprisingly there are only three requirements:


  • You have to be at least 35 years old
  • You must be a natural born citizen of the United States
  • A permanent resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years

Website: Enchanted Learning, How the President of the United States is Elected

Lesson Plan: Creating Your Ideal Presidential Candidate

Video: The General Election