To Amend Bylaw 3.1.2 (a) to Change Size Requirements for Electoral Circuits

Ov. 9-20

To Amend Bylaw 3.1.2 (a) to Change Size Requirements for Electoral Circuits

WHEREAS, In light of the declining number of congregations as well as communicant members throughout the Synod; and

WHEREAS, Current requirements for an electoral circuit are difficult to achieve as is evidenced by the growing number of circuits asking for exceptions to the current rules for valid electoral circuits; and

WHEREAS, Recent years have seen a decrease in worship attendance and membership in many congregations of the Synod;

therefore be it

Resolved, That the 2026 Synod convention amend Bylaw 3.1.2 (a) to change the minimum requirements for a valid electoral circuit from seven congregations and 1 ,500 communicant members (Bylaw 3.1.2 [a]) to five congregations and 500 communicant members, as follows:

PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING Voting Delegates 3.1.2 Electoral circuits shall meet as required by the Bylaws of the Synod to elect circuit voting delegates to the Synod’s national conventions.

(a) An electoral circuit shall consist either of one or two adjacent visitation circuits, as shall be determined by the district board of directors on the basis of the following requirements: each pair of delegates shall represent from 7 5 to 20 member congregations, involving an aggregate confirmed membership ranging from 1,500 500 to 10,000.

Board of Directors Eastern District