In 1994, the legislature enacted the "Tennessee Plan" which primarily affects the selection of appellate court judges. The plan applies to Chancery Court vacancies on the bench occurring after September 1, 1994. These vacancies are to be filled by the governor's appointment of one of the three people nominated by the Judicial Selection Commission.
The term of appointment expires on August 31 after the next regular August election occurring more than 30 days after the vacancy, at which time a candidate is elected to fill the remainder of the unexpired term or a complete term, as otherwise provided by law. T.C.A. 17-4-101 et seq