No person may be popularly elected to and serve in any office in this State or its political subdivisions unless he possesses the qualifications of an elector, is not disqualified by age as prescribed in this Constitution, and has not been convicted of a felony under state or federal law or convicted of tampering with a voting machine, fraudulent registration or voting, bribery at elections, procuring or offering to procure votes by bribery, voting more than once at elections, impersonating a voter, or swearing falsely at elections/taking oath in another’s name, or has not pled guilty or nolo contendere to these offenses. However, notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution, this prohibition does not apply to a person who has been pardoned under state or federal law or to a person who files for public office fifteen years or more after the completion date of service of the sentence, including probation and parole time, nor shall any person, serving in office prior to the ratification of this provision, be required to vacate the office to which he is elected. No person may be elected or appointed to office in this State for life or during good behavior, but the terms of all officers must be for some specified period except officers in the militia.

(1972 (57) 3181; 1973 (58) 83; 1997 Act No. 3.)

Editor's Note

The present provisions of the first sentence of this section are somewhat similar to Section 1 of Article XVII. The present provisions of the second sentence of this section are identical to the first sentence of Section 1A of Article XVII. The present provisions of the third sentence of this section are similar to the second sentence of Section 1B of Article XVII.

1997 Act No. 3, Section 3, provides as follows:

“SECTION 3. The General Assembly is aware that pursuant to Joint Resolution 470 of 1996 and Joint Resolution 472 of 1996 differing amendments to Section 4, Article II of the Constitution were submitted to the qualified electors at the general election of 1996 and a favorable vote was received on both. The General Assembly in the ratification process under Section 1, Article XVI of the Constitution has, therefore, determined to ratify the provisions of Section 4, Article II as submitted to and approved by the qualified electors pursuant to Joint Resolution 470 of 1996 and to ratify all amendments to the Constitution submitted to and approved by the qualified electors pursuant to Joint Resolution 472 of 1996 except for the amendment therein to Section 4, Article II.”