1. Be acceptable to the crown
2. Be a member in good standing of the S.C.A.
3. Have been a continuous resident of the Barony of Thor's Mountain for a minimum of three years before the date of his or her selection for the honor of Baron/ness.  (i.e. Maintained a physical residence w/i any of the zip codes designated by the SCA. Inc. for the Barony.  Postal Boxes and mail suites are not 'physical residence."
4. Have been an 'Active Member of the Barony' for a minimum of three years, as defined below.
5. Be a minimum 21 Years of age

II.      Participation of the Barony's Populace: Populace Poll

1. Active Members of the Barony shall have the opportunity to express to the Crown their consensus as to the choice of the Baron/ness in the form of a written poll.  These written Poll results shall be provided to the Crown to assist the Crown in the confirmation of Baron/ness but shall not bind the Crown in any manner whatsoever.
2. Timing of Poll
   1. Except in unusual circumstances the Poll shall be held a minimum of six months before the date on which the current Baron/ness plans to step down.
   2. However, in the event that the baron/ness is obligated to step down without giving six-month notice, the Vicar, upon consultation with the Seneschal, will immediately assume the duties of the Baronial seat and the nomination process to select a new Baron/ness will begin at the next Business Meeting.  If the Vicar is also unavailable, then the Seneschal will appoint a new one, to be confirmed at the next business meeting.

III.      The Vicar shall be selected at each Curia. (To serve a one year term, but may succeed self).

1. Selection shall be by verbal 'Yea or Nay' vote, subject to approval by the crown.
2. Principal duty of the Vicar shall be to supervise the Baronial election.
3. The Vicar shall have the authority, ratified by the Crown, to conduct the business of the Barony in the Baron/ness' absence.
4. The Vicar is not eligible for Nomination as a candidate for the Baronial Seat.

IV.      Nomination for Baron/Baroness

1. No later than six weeks before 'the Polling Date' an announcement of Intent to Poll shall be published in the Whetstone and announced in a general mailing (by Postcard) to the Baronial populace.  The Seneschal shall also notify the Crown, Their Heirs, and the Kingdom Seneschal.
2. Nominating Forum.  The next business meeting of the Barony shall be a forum to accept nominations for the honor of Baron/ness.  Any 'Active Member' may nominate any qualified individuals.  The populace may discuss the qualifications of the nominees.
   1. Nominations from the floor shall be taken and seconded, one nomination per 'Active member'
   2. Candidates shall accept or decline nomination at this time.  Nominations may only be accepted as a Single or as a Couple, but not both.
   3. Accepted nominations will be listed on a board.
   4. Active Members will prepare their own hand written ballot listing the names of their 1st and 2nd choices.
   5. The four (4) nominees with the most votes (counted by the Vicar and Seneschal) will make the 'Final ballot' (published in the Whetstone, and on the Baronial Website.

V.      Final Ballot Meeting / Polling Date

1. Active Members must be present to cast their one (1) vote, unless Vicar and Seneschal accept petition for a proxy.
2. Vicar and Seneschal (aided by the Constable) shall adjourn to tally the ballots.   The candidate/couple receiving 60% of the votes shall have a clear majority.
3. In the case of no clear majority, a run-off ballot of the top 3 candidates will be conducted.
4. If there is still no clear majority, a run-off ballot of the top 2 candidates will then be conducted.
5. If there is still no clear majority, then the names of the 2 Final Candidates (along with all polling data) shall be sent to the Crown for a final decision.
6. The Crowns hold the prerogative to invest a Baron, Baroness, or Baronial couple.   The Populace poll may indicate a preference for an individual or couple.

VI.      Active Members of the Barony shall be defined as anyone who has attended at least four (4) Baronial Qualifying Meetings held in the immediately preceding 12 months.

1. Qualifying meetings shall include all business meetings, Curia, and the announced 'Fighter Practices in Garb' (i.e. Thegns' Tourney)
2. Members in attendance shall sign an attendance sheet, collected by the Constable (or Knight Marshal at 'Garb Practices') and kept by the Constable's office for a year.
3. Any members who have served as autocrat or feastecrat in the last 12 months shall automatically have 'Active' status.
4. Active members must be of a minimum 16 years of age.

VII.      Appeals - Anyone not meeting the qualifications for 'Active Member' or Candidate for Baronial Selection may appeal their disqualification by petition to the Seneschal, Baron/ness, or Vicar, in writing.  Their joint decision is final and binding.

VIII.      Succession of the Baronial Seat. - After ratification by the Crown, the Baronial Investiture shall take place at one of the Barony's regularly scheduled events, or at the Crown's discretion, a kingdom event, such as Coronation.

IX.      Baronial Tenure