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Elections

Delegates Choose the TISL Executive Council

The election of officers for the coming year is one of the most exciting parts of the General Assembly for many delegates. Any TISL delegate can run for a seat on next year's Executive Council. Officers' terms begin when the General Assembly adjourns in November and continue until the end of the next General Assembly.

Officers are limited to a single term by the Constitution, so current officers won't be running for re-election.

Elections are governed by the TISL Constitution (particularly Article V) and the Election Procedures Act.

Candidates must win by a majority of votes cast. Sometimes a second-ballot runoff is necessary immediately after the first ballot.

All candidates must attend a candidates meeting on Friday night after adjournment. The time and place are on the General Assembly Schedule.

TISL's structure parallels the State of Tennessee, and officers are elected as they would be in state government.

Governor

Elected By:
On Saturday by delegates at Large, as defined by TISL Code 1-2-16
First Step:
Nominations in joint session on Friday night of the General Assembly

Treasurer

Elected By:
Joint Session of Senate and House on Saturday
First Step:
Nominations in joint session on Friday night of the General Assembly

Sec. of State

Elected By:
Joint Session of Senate and House on Saturday
First Step:
Nominations in joint session on Friday night of the General Assembly

Lt. Governor

Elected By:
On Saturday by members of the Senate
First Step:
Nominations in the Senate on Friday night of the General Assembly

Senate Pro Tem

Elected By:
On Saturday by members of the Senate
First Step:
Nominations in the Senate on Friday night of the General Assembly

Speaker of the House

Elected By:
On Saturday by members of the House
First Step:
Nominations in the House on Friday night of the General Assembly

House Pro Tem

Elected By:
On Saturday by members of the House
First Step:
Nominations in the House on Friday night of the General Assembly

Chief Justice

Elected By:
Supreme Court on a schedule set by the Court
First Step:
Being appointed to the Court, a process that begins in early fall

Attorney General

Elected By:
Supreme Court on a schedule set by the Court
First Step:
Established by the Court.Typically written applications are due on Thursday when the General Assembly convenes

DELEGATES AT LARGE

he Governor is elected by "delegates at large" to approximate the concept of a statewide election used to pick the Governor of Tennessee.

What is a delegate at large?

Delegates at large includes:

  • All delegates included in each college's fee to participate in TISL. This is four to 16 delegates, depending on the size of the college. This includes the college's Senator, Alternate Senator, Representative(s) and anyone else designated by the Head Delegate. The Head Delegate can choose lobbyists, people in TISL Media and AMC3 teams beyond the first team to fill out this group.
     

In addition, members of these groups are automatically eligible to vote, over and above the basic group of delegates:

  • The first AMC3 team from each college.

  • Members of the Executive Council

  • Members of the Supreme Court

  • Chief Clerk of the Senate, Chief Clerk of the House and Clerk & Marshall of the Supreme Court
     

Someone who qualifies in more than one category can only vote once. For example, the Chief Justice is a member of the Supreme Court and a member of the Executive Council. Nonetheless, he/she gets one vote. Voting rights are non-transferable.

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