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Qualifications for State Offices

Governor

  • Basic qualifications of TCA 8-18-101 and

  • Shall be at least thirty (30) years of age, shall be a citizen of the United States, and shall have been a citizen of this State 7 years before the election. (TN Constitution Article 3, Section 3)

State Senator

  • Basic qualifications of TCA 8–18–101; and

  • Shall be a citizen of the United States, at least 30 years of age, and shall have resided 3 years in this State and 1 year in the county or district represented immediately preceding the election.  (TN Constitution Article 2, Sect. 10)

  • Each district shall be represented by a qualified voter of that district. (TN Constitution Article 2, Section 6a)

State Representative

  • Basic qualifications of TCA 8-18-101; and

  • Shall be a citizen of the United States, at least 21 years of age, and shall have resided 3 years in this State and 1 year in the county represented immediately preceding the election. (TN Constitution Article 2, Section 9)

  • Each district shall be represented by a qualified voter of that district. (TN Constitution Article 2, Section 5a)

State Executive Committee​

  • Basic qualifications of TCA 8-18-101; and

  • In each party's primary, its voters in each senatorial district shall elect one (1) man and one (1) woman as members of the state executive committee. (TCA 2-13-103)

  • Shall be bona fide members of the political party whose election they seek. (TCA 2-13-104)

Tennessee Supreme Court

  • Basic qualifications of TCA 8-18-101; and

  • Shall be at least 35 years of age and a resident of the state for 5 years. (TN Constitution Article 6, Section 3, TCA 17-1-101, TCA 17-1-103)

  • Shall be learned in the law, evidenced by being authorized to practice law in the courts of Tennessee. (TCA 17-1-106)

Tennessee Court of Appeals Judge

  • Basic qualifications of TCA 8–18–101; and

  • Shall be at least 30 years of age and a resident of the state for 5 years. (TN Constitution Article 6, Section 4)

  • Shall be learned in the law, evidenced by being authorized to practice law in the courts of Tennessee. (TCA 17-1-106)

  • Shall reside in the grand division of the state from which they seek election. (TCA 16-4-102)

Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals Judge

  • Basic qualifications of TCA 8-18-101; and

  • Shall be a citizen of the United States, at least 30 years of age and a resident of the state for 5 years. (TN Constitution Article 6, Section 4, TCA 16-5-102)

  • Shall be learned in the law, evidenced by being authorized to practice law in the courts of Tennessee. (TCA 17-1-106)

  • Shall reside in the grand division of the state from which they seek election. (TCA 16-5-102)

Chancellor

  • Basic qualifications of TCA 8-18-101; and

  • Shall be at least 30 years of age and a resident of the state for 5 years and of the circuit or district 1 year. (TN Constitution Article 6, Section 4)

  • Shall be learned in the law, evidenced by being authorized to practice law in the courts of Tennessee. (TCA 17-1-101, 17-1-102, 17-1-103, 17-1-106)

Circuit Court Judge/Criminal Court Judge

  • Basic qualifications of TCA 8-18-101; and

  • Shall be at least 30 years of age and a resident of the state for 5 years and of the circuit or district 1 year. (TN Constitution Article 6, Section 4)

  • Shall be learned in the law, evidenced by being authorized to practice law in the courts of Tennessee. (TCA 17-1-101, 17-1-102, 17-1-103, 17-1-106)

General Sessions Judge/Juvenile Court Judge

  • Basic qualifications of TCA 8-18-101; and

  • Shall be at least 30 years of age and a resident of the state for 5 years and of the circuit or district 1 year.  (TN Constitution Article 6, Section 4)

  • Shall be licensed to practice law in this state. (TCA 16-15-5005)

District Attorney General

  • Basic qualifications of TCA 8-18-101; and

  • Shall be a duly licensed attorney admitted to the practice of law in this state and a resident of the state for 5 years and of the circuit or district 1 year. (TN Constitution Article 6, Section 5)

District Public Defender

  • Basic qualifications of TCA 8-18-101; and

  • Shall be a duly licensed attorney admitted to the practice of law in this state and a resident of the state for 5 years and of the judicial district for 1 year. (TCA 8‑14‑202)

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