Washington § 42.04.020 - Eligibility to hold office.

Full text of Washington Revised Code of Washington § 42.04.020 — Eligibility to hold office., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 42.04.020. Eligibility to hold office.

That no person shall be competent to qualify for or hold any elective public office within the state of Washington, or any county, district, precinct, school district, municipal corporation or other district or political subdivision, unless he or she be a citizen of the United States and state of Washington and an elector of such county, district, precinct, school district, municipality or other district or political subdivision.
[ 2012 c 117 s 94; 1919 c 139 s 1; RRS s 9929. FORMER PART OF SECTION: Code 1881 s 3050 codified as RCW 42.04.021.]

Notes

Apple commission, qualifications of members: RCW 15.24.020.
Attorney general, qualifications: RCW 43.10.010.
Cities, council-manager plan, qualifications of city manager: RCW 35.18.040.
Cities and towns, residence qualifications of officials and employees: RCW 35.21.200.
County hospital board of trustees, eligibility: RCW 36.62.140.
Court administrator: RCW 2.56.010.
Court commissioners, qualifications: RCW 2.24.010.
Dairy products commission, members, qualifications: RCW 15.44.030.
Electors, qualifications: State Constitution Art. 6 s 1 (Amendment 5).
Engineers and land surveyors' board of registration, qualifications: RCW 18.43.030.
Fire protection district commissioners, qualifications: RCW 52.14.010.
Fish and wildlife commission members, qualifications: RCW 77.04.040.
Flood control districts, qualifications of governing board: RCW 85.38.070.
Fruit commission, qualifications of members: RCW 15.28.030.
Hardwoods commission, qualifications: RCW 15.74.010.
Honey bee commission, qualifications: RCW 15.62.060.
Horse racing commission, qualifications: RCW 67.16.012.
Judges of superior court, eligibility: State Constitution Art. 4 s 17.
Judges of supreme court, eligibility: State Constitution Art. 4 s 17.
Legislators, eligibility: State Constitution Art. 2 s 7; Art. 2 s 14.
Mosquito control district board members, qualifications: RCW 17.28.120.
Municipal court judges, qualifications: RCW 35.20.170.
Prosecuting attorney, eligibility: RCW 36.27.010.
Public utility district commissioners, qualifications: RCW 54.12.010.
Religious qualification to hold public office or employment prohibited: State Constitution Art. 1 s 11 (Amendment 4).
Residence for eligibility to public office: State Constitution Art. 6 s 4.
School directors, qualifications: RCW 28A.343.340.
School teachers, qualifications: RCW 28A.410.025, 28A.405.040.
State hospitals for individuals with mental illness, superintendents' powers: RCW 72.23.030.
State officers, eligibility: State Constitution Art. 3 s 25 (Amendment 31).
State schools for blind and deaf, qualifications of superintendents: RCW 72.40.020.
Superior court reporters, qualifications: RCW 2.32.180.
Towns, eligibility of officers: RCW 35.27.080.
Utilities and transportation commission, qualifications: RCW 80.01.020.
Veterinary board members, qualifications: RCW 18.92.021.
Weed district director and electors, qualifications: RCW 17.04.070.
Wine commission, qualifications: RCW 15.88.030.

Source: official Washington text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Washington § 42.04.020

What does Revised Code of Washington § 42.04.020 cover?

Section 42.04.020 ("Eligibility to hold office.") is part of the Revised Code of Washington, the codified statutory law of Washington. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Washington § 42.04.020?

A common citation format is "Revised Code of Washington § 42.04.020" (Washington). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Washington law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Washington official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Washington attorney.

How does Washington § 42.04.020 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Washington can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Washington.