Tennessee Code Title 8. Public Officers and Employees § 8-3-105

(a) There is created the office of assistant secretary of state who shall serve as secretary of state during any emergency when the regular secretary of state is disabled or disqualified from performing the duties of the office.

(b) If the general assembly is not in session when such emergency exists, the governor shall appoint such assistant secretary of state to serve until the general assembly convenes, at which time the general assembly shall elect the assistant in the event the emergency then continues. If the general assembly is in session when the emergency commences, the assistant secretary of state shall be elected by the joint vote of the general assembly.