Petitions, Checklist & Resources

Nominating Petitions

  • In order for an individual to seek elected office and qualify as a candidate on the state or local level, a person must be issued a nominating petition from the county election commission office for local elected office or the Tennessee Division of Elections in Nashville for state wide or Federal elected office. Petitions may be issued no earlier than sixty (60) days before the qualifying deadline. *Photocopies of petitions will not be accepted.* Additional nominating petitions may be issued as needed.
  • The required number of signatures on the petition must be obtained from registered voters eligible to vote to fill the office. For example, if the petition is for County Commissioner, the signatures on the petition must be obtained from voters who reside in the applicable county commission district. A candidate must also print his/her name on the petition as they wish for it to appear on the official ballot. Nicknames are permitted, but titles cannot be used.
  • A candidate must have the petition and any certified duplicates (when required) completed and returned to the Election Commission office, State Election Commission, or the Office of the Coordinator of Elections no later than 12:00 noon on the last date to qualify as a candidate for election. *Candidates seeking election in multiple countv state legislative or judicial districts must file certified duplicate copies in all the counties composing the district in which the candidate is seeking office no later than 12:00 noon on the last date to qualify as a candidate.* Signatures will then be verified by the county election commission and the candidate will be notified in writing when the process is complete.
  • Candidates may withdraw their names from the official ballot no later than noon on the seventh (7th) day after the last day to qualify as a candidate. *Any withdrawal statement must be in writing. signed by the candidate, and submitted to the Election Commission office.* After the withdrawal deadline, the names of all remaining qualified candidates will appear on the official ballot if all other qualifications and requirements have been completed.

Checklist for Candidates Seeking State/Local Elected Office

The following documents are required for candidates seeking election to local or state office. Candidates must meet the qualifications required by law in order for their name to appear on the official ballot.

  • The Qualifying Petition must contain the necessary number of signatures of registered voters eligible to vote to fill the office and must be submitted to the appropriate election commission office, Tennessee Division of Elections, or the State Election Commission office no later than 12:00 noon on the last day to qualify as a candidate for election. (This includes all certified duplicates to the State Coordinator of Elections and/or to the chairperson of the respective state political party’s executive committee or in all multi-county judicial districts when required.) Judicial candidates, district attorney general candidates, and public defender candidates must provide their Supreme Court Registration number before filing their petition.
  • The Appointment of Political Treasurer Statement must be filed when a candidate spends money or receives contributions. The form must be filed in the county election commission office for candidates seeking local elected office or at the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance for candidates seeking state elected office. Website: https://www.tn.gov/tref/
  • The Statement of Disclosure of Interests must be filed with the Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance no later than thirty (30) days after the last date to qualify as a candidate. Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance: https://www.tn.gov/tec/topic/tec-candidates-form-and-publications
  • Proof of graduation from high school or receipt of GED* evidenced by a diploma or other satisfactory documentation must be submitted to the county election commission office. *Required for candidates seeking the office of School Board
  • Copies of Certified Duplicate Petitions must be filed in each county election commission office by noon on the last day to qualify as a candidate for those persons seeking election in multiple county judicial districts. The original petition is filed in the candidates’ county of residence.
  • Affidavit for Sheriff and other P.O.S.T. Supporting Documents must be filed with the Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission no later than the fourteenth (14th) day before the candidate qualifying deadline.

Resources for Candidates Seeking Local Elected Office

Helpful links for those interested in seeking election to local offices: