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

Official Workbook overture source text

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 
Ov.