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Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

Do candidates for Congress have to live in their district?

Kate Reynolds, The Nevada Independent
no

Candidates for Congress are not required to live within the congressional district they seek to represent.

The U.S. Constitution only requires candidates for congressional office to live in the state where they run for office, although there is no minimum required length of residency.

States cannot enact additional, district-specific residency requirements for congressional candidates, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in a landmark 1995 election case. 

Nevada imposes residency requirements on candidates for non-federal, non-judicial offices. 

Such candidates must reside in and be registered to vote in the jurisdiction they seek to represent. Both requirements must be met at least 30 days before the filing deadline, which in 2026 is March 13.

Nevada’s judicial candidates must also be registered to vote in their jurisdiction, but not necessarily 30 days prior to filing.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

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The Nevada Independent is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news and opinion website founded in 2017 by veteran political journalist and commentator Jon Ralston. The site and its supporting channels are focused on ethical, unbiased and transparent journalism. In general, we aim to gather and disseminate important public information and increase civic engagement. We are supported by corporate donations, memberships, event ticket sales and sponsorships and foundation grants. We disclose all our members and donors. Donors have no influence over our content, ever. The Nevada Independent is the dba for Nevada News Bureau, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2010 by Elizabeth Thompson, who now serves as one of The Nevada Independent's managing directors and its Editor.

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