Nomination to the office of commissioner shall be by written petition of any five or more members of the bar in good standing who maintain their principal office in the circuit where such nominee maintains his or her principal office. Any number of candidates may be nominated on a single petition. Such nominating petitions shall be mailed to the secretary of the Board of Commissioners within a period to be fixed by the rules made by the Board of Commissioners. Any attorney may become a candidate for membership on said board from the circuit of his or her principal office by filing a written declaration in the same manner as the nominations are required to be filed.
Ala. Code § 34-3-42 (1975)