Candidate FAQ

Candidates Frequently Asked Questions

What must I do to begin the process of running for elected office?

First, you must consider the office being sought and the qualifications required in order to hold the office in which you seek. A nominating petition for an elected office may be issued no earlier than ninety (90) days before the candidate qualifying deadline for the election and must filed no later than 12:00 p.m. noon on the candidate qualifying deadline. An Appointment of Political Treasurer Statement must be filed before any monies are spent or contributions received for a campaign.

What happens if I should decide to withdraw from running for a particular elected office?

If an individual files a petition, qualifies as a candidate, and fails to withdraw by the withdrawal deadline as required by law, his or her name will appear on the official ballot anyway. (T.C.A. § 2-5-204)

In order to run for a municipal or county office, do I have to seek election by running in a political party primary first?

Municipal elections and Board of Education elections in Tennessee are generally non-partisan. (T.C.A § 2-13-208; 49-2-201 (a) (1)) All other local elections in Tennessee may have a political party primary as part of the process to choose nominees to run in the August County General Election. The executive committee of a county political party must call for a primary no later than 180 days before the candidate qualifying deadline in order for the Election Commission to hold the primary election. (T.C.A. § 2-13-203 (d)) County primaries are held on the first Tuesday in May in even numbered years or on the first Tuesday in March when held in conjunction with the Presidential Preference Primary. If a county primary is called for by a political party, Independent candidates seeking election for any office on the ballot for which a primary is held must file qualifying petitions by the same candidate qualifying deadline as the candidates seeking nomination by primary election. Generally, if a county political party primary is not held, all individuals seeking election in the August General Election are listed as an Independent Candidate. *Please note: A County Political Party Executive Committee may choose to nominate a candidate by methods other than a primary election. (See T.C.A. § 2-5-101)*

How will my name be placed on the ballot?

In the State of Tennessee, offices on the ballot are arranged in a specific order as required by law. Generally, statewide offices, Federal offices, and constitutional amendments appear at the top of the ballot, and then local state offices, county offices, and then municipal offices and finally municipal ballot initiatives, such as liquor by the drink, etc. Judicial retention questions appear at the bottom of the ballot. The candidate names under each contest are arranged alphabetically by last name. In partisan races, Republican nominees (majority party) appear first, Democratic nominees (minority party) appear second, Third Party candidates (as defined by the Coordinator of Elections) appear third, and Independent candidates appear fourth. In non-partisan board of education or municipal races, all candidates are categorized as “Independent Candidate” and are arranged alphabetically by last name. (T.C.A. § 2-5-208)

Can someone write-in a person’s name for election when an unopposed candidate’s name appears on the official ballot for an elected office?

There is a provision for write-in candidates in the election process in Tennessee. If an individual wishes to become a write-in candidate, they must file a certificate of write-in candidacy no later than 12:00 noon prevailing time fifty (50) days before the date of the election. Otherwise, any other names which are written in for election to an elected office will not be counted in the official results. (See T.C.A. § 2-7-133) *Please note: a write-in candidate in a primary election must receive not less than 25 votes in order to become the political party nominee whose name is to appear on the General Election ballot. (T.C.A § 2-5-219)*

When do I have to file Campaign Financial Disclosure reports? Are they required if I do not intend to spend any money on my campaign?

Campaign financial reports are due periodically based on the date of the election and when an Appointment of Political Treasurer Statement was filed with the Election Commission. A local candidate is exempt from the filing requirements if he or she is seeking an office for which service is part-time and the compensation is less $1,000 per month. This exclusion does not apply if the candidate spends more than $1,000 seeking the office or if the office being sought is for the position of mayor or chief administrative officer. *Failure to file financial disclosure reports in a timely manner may result in the assessment of civil penalties by the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance.*

When may I put my political signs out and publish my political ads?

The Election Commission has no authority over political signs except in regards to the 100 foot campaign-free zone outside the entrance to a polling place. However, local ordinances in the county and municipalities should be consulted on political signage. In addition to political signs, newspaper, radio, and other forms of advertisements must follow the guidelines as specified in the “Disclaimer Law.” (Refer to T.C.A. §2-19-120))

What happens on Election night? When will the results be made available? When are the candidates officially declared as winners?

Generally speaking, the results from the early voting and absentee/by-mail balloting are released for viewing right after the polls close at 7 p.m. The Officer of Election at each Election Day polling place will post the results from that location for anyone to view after the voting machines have been closed shortly after 7:00 p.m. The results are then physically brought to the Election Commission Office from each polling place for tabulation. All Election night results are unofficial. Cumulative vote totals may change due to any provisional ballots that may have been cast on Election Day. The election results become official after the five member Election Commission certifies the final results of the election no later than the third (3rd) 1Monday after the date of the election.

As a candidate having multiple opponents in an election, must I receive a certain percentage of the vote to be elected (in Williamson County)?

For a Federal, state, or local elected office in which you vote for one (1) candidate or political party nominee of choice, the candidate or political party nominee receiving the highest number of votes will be elected to that office. For a local elected office in which you vote for two or more candidates or nominees, the designated number of candidates or nominees receiving the highest number of votes will be elected in a general election or chosen in a primary election. For example for Williamson County Commissioner, a voter may cast a ballot for up to two candidates or nominees for two positions to be elected to the Board of Commissioners.

What happens if two candidates receive the same number of votes for an elected position?

In the case of a tie vote between two candidates the provisions pursuant to T.C.A. § 2-17-117 shall apply. For municipal elections, any provisions specified in the municipal charter(s) shall also apply.

Do any provisions exist for a recount in the case of a close election or the contesting of a disputed election?

A candidate wishing to contest a close election or disputed election shall file the complaint within five (5) days after the certification of the election. Election contests for general or municipal elections shall be tried in the chancery court of the division in which the defendant resides. (T.C.A. § 2-17-101; 2-17-105) In the case of a contested primary election, the state primary board of the candidate’s political party would adhere to the provisions pursuant to T.C.A. § 2-17-104. (See also T.C.A. § 2-17-117)