Qualifications
for Elective Offices
Compiled for Public use by Larry W. Roe, Administrator of Elections for Union County, Tennessee
The general qualifications of persons permitted to hold public office are set out in TCA 8-18-101. This section provides that all person of the age of eighteen (18) years who are citizens of the United States and of this state, and have been inhabitants of the state, county, district, or circuit for the period required by the constitution and laws of the state, are qualified to hold office under the authority of this state except:
Those who have been convicted of offering a bribe, or of larceny, or any other offense declared infamous by law, unless restored to citizenship in the mode prescribed by law.
Those against whom there is a judgment unpaid for any moneys received by them, in any official capacity, due to the United States, to this state, or any county in the state.
Those who are defaulters to the treasury at the time of the election, and the election of any such person shall be void.
Soldiers, seamen, marines, or airmen in the regular armed forces of the United States.
Members of congress and persons holding any office or profit or trust under any foreign power, other state of the union, or under the United States.
United States President35
years of age Natural-born
citizen A
resident within the United States for 14 years |
United States Senator30
years of age Citizen
of the United States for 3 years A
Tennessee resident |
United States Representative25
years of age Citizen
of the United States for 7 years A
Tennessee resident |
GovernorBasic
qualifications of TCA 8-18-101 and At
least 30 years of age A
resident of the state for seven (7) years before the next elections |
State SenatorBasic
qualifications of TCA 8-18-101 and At
least 30 years of age A
resident in the state for 3 years A
resident in the county or district for 1 year immediately preceding the
election |
State RepresentativeBasic
qualifications of TCA 8-18-101 and At
least 21 years of age A
resident of the state for 3 years A
resident in the county represented for 1 year immediately preceding the
election A
qualified voter of the district |
State Executive CommitteeBasic
qualifications of TCA 8-18-101 and Shall
be a bona fide member of the political party whose election they seek |
|
Tennessee Supreme CourtBasic
qualifications of TCA 8-18-101 and 35
years of age A
resident of the state for 5 years Authorized
to practice law in the courts of Tennessee |
Tennessee Court of Appeals JudgeBasic
qualifications of TCA 8-18-101 and 30
years of age A
resident of the state for 5 years Authorized
to practice law in the courts of Tennessee Resident
of the grand division of the state from which they seek election |
ChancellorBasic
qualifications of TCA 8-18-101 and 30
years of age A
resident of the state for 5 years A
resident of the circuit or district for 1 year Authorized
to practice law in the courts of Tennessee |
Circuit Court Judge/Criminal Court JudgeBasic
qualifications of TCA 8-18-101 and 30
years of age A
resident of the state for 5 years A
resident of the circuit or district for 1 year Authorized
to practice law in the courts of Tennessee |
General Sessions Judge/Juvenile Court JudgeBasic
qualifications of TCA 8-18-101 and 30
years of age A
resident of the state for 5 years A
resident of the circuit or district for 1 year Authorized
to practice law in the courts of Tennessee |
District Attorney GeneralBasic
qualifications of TCA 8-18-101 and A
resident of the state for 5 years |
District Public DefenderBasic
qualifications of TCA 8-18-101 and A
resident of the state for 5 years A
resident of the circuit or district for 1 year Authorized
to practice law in the courts of Tennessee |
|
County MayorBasic
qualifications of TCA 8-18-101 and A
qualified voter of the county 25
years of age A
resident of the county for 1 year prior to filing a nominating petition Must
continue to reside in the county during the term of office Cannot
hold any other public office for profit |
County CommissionerBasic
qualifications of TCA 8-18-101 and A
qualified voter A
resident of the district from which they seek election |
TrusteeBasic
qualifications of TCA 8-18-101 and Shall
reside within the county |
Register of DeedsBasic
qualifications of TCA 8-18-101 and Shall
reside within the county |
Court ClerksBasic
qualifications of TCA 8-18-101 and Shall
reside within the county |
Assessor of PropertyBasic
qualifications of TCA 8-18-101 and Shall
reside within the county Cannot
be a member of the county legislative body |
School Board MemberBasic
qualifications of TCA 8-18-101 and A
resident of the district from which they seek election Have
obtained a high school diploma |
ConstableBasic
qualifications of TCA 8-18-101 and Free
of felony convictions If
military service is involved, no less than an honorable discharge File
with EC an affidavit stating ability to read and write |
SheriffBasic
qualifications of TCA 8-18-101 and Cannot
be a member of the general assembly Cannot
be a practicing attorney 25
years of age prior to qualifying A
qualified voter Have
obtained a high school diploma or GED Have not been convicted of or pleaded guilty to or entered a plea of nolo contendere to any felony charge or any violation of any federal or state laws or city ordinances relating to force, violence, theft, dishonesty, gambling, liquor or controlled substances or a crime of domestic violence Having been fingerprinted, under the direction of the TN Bureau of Investigation, and the TBI has made a search of local, state and federal files for any criminal record Have
not been released, separated or discharged from any branch of the armed
forces with a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge or as a consequence of
conviction or court martial for either state or federal offenses Have
been certified by a qualified professional in the psychiatric or
psychological fields to be free of all apparent mental disorders as
described in the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
of Mental Disorders Possess
a current and valid POST certification issued within 12 months of the
qualifying deadline for the office |
Road SuperintendentBasic
qualifications of TCA 8-18-101 and A
resident of the County for at least 5 years 25
years of age Have some knowledge of the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges and of the maintenance of road machinery Shall not at the time of his election nor during his term of office be a member of the Quarterly County Court of Union County. |