When the judge of probate, sheriff, or clerk of the circuit court is a candidate for election to any office at that election and has opposition named on the ballot, he or she shall not serve on the appointing board. The judge of probate, as the chief election official for the county, shall certify to the qualified members of the appointing board the fact of the candidacy of any member of the appointing board immediately after the certificate of nomination, or petition, as provided in Section 17-9-3, is filed.
Ala. Code § 17-8-3 (1975)