Qualifications for Elective Offices
The general qualifications of persons permitted to hold public office are set out in TCA 8-18-101. This section provides that all persons 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 or giving 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.
Federal Offices
United States President
35 years of age
Natural-born citizen
A resident within the United States for 14 years.
United States Senator
30 years of age
Citizen of the United States for 3 years
A Tennessee resident.
United States Representative
25 years of age
Citizen of the United States for 7 years
A Tennessee resident.
State Offices
Governor
Basic 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 election.
State Senator
Basic 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
A qualified voter of the district.
State Representative
Basic 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 Committee
Basic qualifications of TCA 8-18-101 and
Shall be a bona fide member of the political party whose election they seek
Tennessee Supreme Court
Basic 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 Judge
Basic 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
Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals Judge
Basic 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
Chancellor
Basic 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 Judge
Basic 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 Judge
Basic qualifications of TCA 8-18-101
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 General
Basic 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
District Public Defender
Basic qualifications of TCA 8-18-101
A resident of the state for 5 years
A resident of the district for 1 year
Authorized to practice law in the courts of Tennessee
County Offices
County Mayor
Basic 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 Commissioner
Basic qualifications of TCA 8-18-101 and
A qualified voter
A resident of the district from which they seek election
Sheriff
Basic qualifications of TCA 8-18-101
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
Have 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 oar 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 disorder 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
Trustee
Basic qualifications of TCA 8-18-101
Shall reside within the county
Register of Deeds
Basic qualifications of TCA 8-18-101
Shall reside within the county
Court Clerks
Basic qualifications of TCA 8-18-101
Shall reside in the county
Assessor of Property
Basic qualifications of TCA 8-18-101
Shall reside in the county
Cannot be a member of the county legislative body
School Board Member
Basic qualifications of TCA 8-18-101
A resident of the district from which they seek election
Have obtained a high school diploma
Municipal Offices
Chattanooga
Basic qualifications of 8-18-101
Collegedale
Basic qualifications of 8-18-101
Qualified voter of Collegedale
East Ridge
Basic qualifications of 8-18-101
Qualified voter of East Ridge
Resident for 1 year
Lakesite
Basic qualifications of 8-18-101
Lookout Mountain
Basic qualifications of 8-18-101
Red Bank
Basic qualifications of 8-18-101
Qualified voter of Red Bank
A resident of the district from which you seek election
Ridgeside
Basic qualifications of 8-18-101
Signal Mountain
Basic qualifications of 8-18-101
Qualified voter of Signal Mountain
Soddy Daisy
Basic qualifications of 8-18-101
Qualified voter of Soddy Daisy
Walden
Basic qualifications of 8-18-101
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