Bishop Election

The Process
Per the Synod's Constitution, Bylaws and Continuing Resolutions S9.04  and S9.04.A23.

Pre Assembly

• In the months prior to a bishop’s election, each Conference shall meet in assembly, in person or virtually, and use an ecclesiastical vote to identify Ministers of Word and Sacrament as potential nominees for bishop.

• The Elections Committee shall contact all such persons by email, requesting that if they choose to be identified as a potential bishop’s nominee, an attached biographical profile prepared by the Nominations Committee and a current picture shall be returned by a specified date.  The biographical form shall include permission to conduct a background check as required by  †S9.12. 
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• The biographical profiles and pictures of potential nominees will be available for Synod Assembly voting members on the synod’s website at least 30 days prior to the Synod Assembly. 

During Assembly

• The bishop shall be elected by the Synod Assembly. There are potentially 5 ballots, each with particular guidelines and accompaniments listed below.
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• Ecclesiastical Ballot (Nominating Ballot)
• A blank ballot for which one name of a Minister of Word and Sacrament may be written by a voting member.
• Election requires three-fourths of the legal votes cast.
• If no election occurs, all legally submitted names move onto the Second Ballot.
• All names will be listed and read in alphabetical order.
• Prior to the Second Ballot, any person not wishing to be further considered may remove their name.
• Second Ballot
• All names of Ministers of Word and Sacrament nominees from the Ecclesiastical (Nominating) Ballot minus those self removed are listed. One nominee may be selected by a voting member.
• Election requires three-fourths of the legal votes cast.
• If no election occurs, the top five nominees (plus ties) will move onto the Third Ballot.
• All nominees and the number of votes received will be listed and read.
• Nominees will be asked to provide vita information.
• Prior to the Third Ballot, all 5 nominees will be asked to address the assembly with a 5-minute presentation and the vita information will be made available.
• Third Ballot
• The 5 nominees (plus ties) receiving the greatest number of votes from the Second Ballot are listed. One nominee may be selected by a voting member.
• Election requires two-thirds of the legal votes cast.
• If no election occurs, the top 3 nominees (plus ties) will move onto the Fourth Ballot.
• All nominees and the number of votes received will be listed and read.
• Prior to the Fourth Ballot, all 3 nominees will be asked to respond to questions prepared by the Reference and Counsel Committee (within a time limit).
• Fourth Ballot
• The top 3 nominees (plus ties) receiving the greatest number of votes from the Third Ballot are listed. One nominee may be selected by a voting member.
• Election requires 60% of the legal votes cast.
• All nominees and the number of votes received will be listed and read.
• Prior to the Fifth Ballot, the top 2 nominees will be asked to respond to a single question prepared by the Reference and Counsel Committee (within a 3-minute time limit).
• Fifth Ballot
• The 2 nominees (plus ties) receiving the greatest number of votes from the Fourth Ballot are listed. One nominee may be selected by a voting member.
• Election requires the majority number of legal votes cast.