Following the 2024 presidential election where President-elect Donald Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris, discussions around presidential terms and eligibility have resurfaced. While this was Trump’s third run for president, it marks his limit for serving in office. This leads to a common question: how many times can someone actually run for president of the United States?
Understanding Presidential Term Limits
The 22nd Amendment to the United States Constitution is the key to understanding presidential term limits. Ratified in 1951, it clearly states that “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.” This amendment was put in place to formally limit presidential power after Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected to and served for more than two terms.
This amendment clarifies that an individual can only be elected president twice, and each term is four years long. These terms do not need to be consecutive. Therefore, a president could serve a term, be out of office for a period, and then be elected for a second term later.
The Two-Term Rule: Exceptions and Nuances
There are specific scenarios outlined in the 22nd Amendment regarding vice presidents who ascend to the presidency. If a vice president takes over the presidential office and serves less than two years of the term, they are eligible to run for president for two full terms afterward. However, if a vice president serves more than two years of a presidential term, they can only be elected to one additional term. This clause was designed to prevent individuals from potentially serving more than ten years as president in total. A historical example is Lyndon B. Johnson, who became president after John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963. Because he served less than two years of Kennedy’s term, he was eligible to run for and potentially serve two full terms, although he ultimately did not seek re-election after his first full term.
Running for President: No Limit on Attempts
Despite the two-term limit on serving as president, the Constitution places no restrictions on how many times a person can run for the office. This means an individual could campaign for president numerous times throughout their life, even if they have already served two terms or have been unsuccessful in previous attempts.
History is filled with examples of individuals who have run for president multiple times. Harold Stassen, a former governor, famously ran for the Republican presidential nomination nine times between 1944 and 1992. Lyndon LaRouche was another perennial candidate, running in eight consecutive presidential elections from 1976 to 2004, representing different political parties. These examples demonstrate that the ability to run for president is separate from the eligibility to serve and is largely unrestricted.
Trump’s Situation and Term Limits
Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 election marked his second term in office, having previously served from 2017 to 2021. Because he has now been elected twice, the 22nd Amendment prevents him from being elected president again in 2028. Regardless of any comments he has made suggesting he might serve longer or seek a third term, the Constitution clearly limits him to two elected terms. His situation underscores the distinction between running for president – which he could do again – and being eligible to be elected and serve as president, which he cannot exceed twice.
In conclusion, while the 22nd Amendment firmly limits a person to serving two presidential terms, there is no constitutional limit to how many times an individual can run or attempt to be elected president. This separation ensures that while presidential power is checked by term limits, the opportunity to seek the highest office remains broadly open.
