When The Race Begins, Who Will Have The Right Stuff?

2014 will, once again, be an election year in Jefferson County. Local offices that will be placed in one of the three elections that take place in May, August and November of next year include the office of the Jefferson County Mayor, the Jefferson County Sheriff, as well as several other elected offices. In addition, a portion of the Jefferson County School Board and all 21 of the Jefferson County Commission seats will be up for election. Qualifications for the various open County seats are not uniform and depend on the office that is sought. All elected officials must comply with Tennessee Code Annotated 8-18-101, which requires that candidates cannot be convicted of giving or receiving a bribe, larceny or other offence declared infamous by law-cannot have a judgment of unpaid monies received in an official capacity that is due to the United States, Tennessee or Jefferson County-cannot be a defaulter to the treasury-cannot be a soldier or a member of congress or a office or trust under any foreign power, other state of the union or under the United States.

Beyond the general requirements provided by Tennessee Code, there are very limited qualifications that are necessary to hold office nationally, in the State or locally. There are no educational requirements that must be met for the majority of elected positions on any level of government, however some have age requirements. Only those seeking a seat on the School Board, as Sheriff or as Constable (unless the Constable was elected before July 2011 and then they must prove the ability to read and write) must provide proof of a high school diploma or a GED.  Offices that generally deal with collection and management of funds inside the County are devoid of any educational requirements, according to information provided by the Jefferson County Election Commission. Likewise, those seeking a seat on the County Commission must only adhere to Tennessee Code and be a registered voter and reside in the district where the seat is sought. All County elected offices are required to reside in the County limits and the County Mayor must be of 25 years of age, have lived in the County one year prior to the date of filing a petition for office and be a qualified voter of the County. The office of the Sheriff has a minimum requirement of experience of three years and training requirement, as well as being certified to be mentally sound and felony free. Those seeking judgeships are required to be licensed to practice law, as well as anyone seeking the office of District Attorney General and District Public Defender. The President of the United States, United States Senators and Representatives, the Governor and State Senators and Representatives have only age and location( with some requiring being a qualified voter) requirements to hold office.