Sec. 30. A candidate for the office of judge of a small claims court must:
(1) be a United States citizen upon taking office;
(2) either:
(A) have resided in the township from which the candidate is elected for at least one (1) year upon taking office; or
(B) have been elected as a small claims court judge in the township before 1999;
(3) be of high moral character and reputation; and
(4) be admitted to the practice of law in Indiana upon filing a declaration of candidacy or petition of nomination or upon the filing of a certificate of candidate selection under IC 3-13-1-15 or IC 3-13-2-8.