Tennessee Code Title 17. Judges and Chancellors § 17-4-106

(a) An incumbent judge of the supreme court, the court of appeals, or the court of criminal appeals who seeks to be retained in the office to which the incumbent judge was appointed and confirmed must qualify by filing with the state election commission a written declaration of candidacy to be retained for a full term or an unexpired term. The declaration must be filed not later than twelve o'clock (12:00) noon, prevailing time, on the first Thursday in January before the regular August election. A judge confirmed after the first Thursday in January in the same year as the regular August election must file the declaration no later than the first Thursday occurring at least one (1) full week after the judge's confirmation. After timely filing the declaration, a candidate may withdraw by filing a notice of withdrawal with the state election commission not later than twelve o'clock (12:00) noon, prevailing time, on the seventh day after the deadline for filing the declaration of candidacy.

Shall (Name of Candidate) be retained in office as a Judge of the (Name of Court) or be replaced?

Retain

OR

Replace

(d) An incumbent judge on the supreme court, the court of appeals, or the court of criminal appeals who does not file a declaration of candidacy for election within the prescribed time, who withdraws as a candidate for election, or who is not retained in a retention election, shall end the judge's term on August 31 of that year. The governor shall fill the office subject to confirmation by the general assembly in accordance with this part.