To Amend Bylaw Subsection 3.12.2 to Restore Presidential Election to Convention

Official Workbook overture source text

9-22 
To Amend Bylaw Subsection 3.12.2  
to Restore Presidential Election to Convention 
WHEREAS, The 2010 Synod c onvention changed the 
longstanding practice of electing the President of the Synod at the 
convention, instead conferring the right to congregationally -
designated electors  using a “secure and verifiable method” in an 
election taking place before the convention (Bylaw 3.12.2.4); and 
WHEREAS, Since the implementation of this pre- convention 
voting process, participation has declined in every subsequent 
presidential election, to wit: 
• In 2013: 8,201 registered electors with 6,432 votes cast 
(62.16 percent of theoretical maximum participation); 
• In 2016: 7,348 electors with 6,157 votes cast (60.76% of 
theo. max.); 
• In 2019: 6,449 electors with 5,823 votes cast (58.97% of 
theo. max.); 
• In 2023: 6,045 electors with only 5,000 votes cast (53.78% 
of theo. max., 2023 Today’s Business, 2B:287);  
and 
W
HEREAS, This declining participation fails to demonstrate a 
substantially broader or more representative electorate than the 
historic system of circuit -elected delegates gathered at the Synod 
convention, who continue to vote on all other elections and 
resolutions; and 
WHEREAS, The longstanding method of presidential election by 
convention delegates served the Synod well for generations, 
providing deliberative engagement, theological reflection, and real-
time responsiveness to the church's needs; and 
W
HEREAS, The current system incurs ongoing financial and 
technological burdens, along with growing concerns over internet 
reliability, digital security, and access equity for smaller or 
underserved congregations; and 
W
HEREAS, 2023 Resolution 9-11, “To Elect Synod President at 
Convention,” ( 2023 Today’s Business , 1:190– 91) proposed 
restoring presidential elections to the convention floor, but was not 
brought forward for consideration or action by the delegation; 
therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention amend Bylaws 3.12.2.1–
3.12.2.6 and 3.12.4.2 (a) as follows, as proposed in 2023 Res. 9-11, 
thereby restoring the election of the Synod President to the Synod 
convention: 
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 
Elections of President and First Vice-President 
3.12.2.1 The candidates for the office of President shall be the five 
ordained ministers who received the highest number of votes in the 
nominating process and who consent to serve if elected. The 
candidates for the office of First Vice -President shall be the 20 
ordained ministers receiving the highest number of votes in the 
nominating process. No opportunity shall be provided for additional 
nominations. 
(a) The Secretary of the Synod shall notify each candidate and 
shall secure his approval in writing within ten days after receiving 
the results of the ballots for the inclusion of his name on the 
ballot. 
(b) In the event of the death, declination, or unavailability of any 
candidate, the nominee having the next highest number of votes 
shall become a candidate. In the event of a tie for the final 
candidate position, all names involved in the tie shall be included 
as candidates. 
… 
3.12.2.3 The Secretary of the Synod shall compile and maintain the 
voters list for the election of the President of the Synod. This list and 
any of its parts shall not be disseminated.  
(a) This voters list shall include: 
(1) the pastor of each member congregation or multi-
congregation parish (assisting pastors are not eligible) 
(2) a lay person from the congregation or parish 
(b) The congregation shall present to the Secretary of Synod 90 
days prior to the election a proper credentials form provided by 
the Secretary, signed by two of the congregation’s officers. If a 
congregation or parish has more than one pastor eligible to vote, 
the congregation shall designate on the credentials form which 
pastor will cast a vote on behalf of the congregation.  
(c) If one or both voters are unavailable, congregations shall be 
provided opportunity to select substitute voters up to a deadline 
designated by the Secretary. 
(d) The registration status of congregations shall be made 
available to respective district presidents for the sole purpose of 
their encouraging registration for greater congregational 
participation. The registration status of congregations shall not be 
further disseminated. 
3.12.2.4 Six weeks prior to the national convention, the Secretary 
of the Synod shall provide, via a secure and verifiable method, 
opportunity for two voting delegates from each congregation, as 
determined according to Bylaw 3.12.2.3, to vote for one of the 
candidates for President. The Secretary shall, with the approval of 
the Board of Directors of the Synod, obtain the assistance necessary 
to accomplish this task. If no candidate receives a majority of the 
votes cast, a second or succeeding ballots are required for a majority; 
the candidate receiving the fewest votes and all candidates receiving 
less than 15 percent of the votes cast shall be dropped from the ballot, 
unless only one candidate receives 15 percent or more of the votes 
cast, in which case the  three highest candidates shall constitute the 
ballot, and another vote shall be taken in the same manner. 
3.12.2.5 Following the completion of the election and at least two 
weeks prior to the convention, the Secretary shall notify the 
candidates of the results of the ballot(s). He shall thereafter also 
make the results known to the public. The candidate receiving a 
majority of the votes cast shall be declared elected. 
3.12.2.3 The convention shall have the right to add to the slate for 
President at the proper time by amendment. 
(a) The amendment procedure shall include merely a motion, a 
second, and a vote on the amendment, deliberately excluding 
verbal characterizations and discussion of the motion (except for 
the chair to ascertain that the requirements have been met as to 
eligibility, consent, and the filing of the biographical form). 
(b) Delegates making nominations from the floor shall have 
secured prior written consent of the candidates they wish to 
nominate. 
2026 Convention Workbook
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