17-1-301 - Vacancies in office. - Tennessee Statutes

17-1-301. Vacancies in office.

(a)  If a vacancy occurs during the term of office of a judge of a circuit, chancery or criminal court, or any other state trial court of record, then the vacancy must be filled by the qualified voters of the judicial district at the next regular August election occurring more than thirty (30) days after the vacancy arises. For the purposes of this subsection (a), a vacancy shall be deemed to exist if, prior to September 1, the duly elected successor to any judicial office becomes ineligible as a result of death or other disqualifying event. In accordance with § 17-4-118, the governor shall appoint a person to discharge the duties of such office until August 31 following the election.

(b)  If a vacancy occurs during the term of office of a judge of the court of appeals or court of criminal appeals, then the vacancy must be filled in accordance with chapter 4 of this title, from the grand division in which the vacancy occurs.

(c)  If a vacancy occurs during the term of office of a judge of the supreme court, then the vacancy must be filled in accordance with chapter 4 of this title and the requirements of Tenn. Const. art. VI, §  2.

[Acts 1870, ch. 24, § 6; 1871, ch. 128, §§ 1, 2; 1895, ch. 76, § 6; Shan., §§ 381, 6316; mod. Code 1932, §§ 637, 10609; modified; Acts 1965, ch. 289, § 1; impl. am. Acts 1967, ch. 226, § 3; 1969, ch. 138, § 1; 1979, ch. 384, § 1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 17-112; Acts 1999, ch. 315, § 1; 2007, ch. 190, § 1.]