TRIENNIAL DIOCESAN SYNOD ELECTIONS 2009
CITATION TO ELECTORS

1    THE ELECTIONS

The Triennial election of MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF CLERGY and the HOUSE OF LAITY to the Diocesan Synod will take place on Tuesday, 27th October 2009.  The Election procedure is set out in the Diocesan Constitution, Sections 35 and 36.

2    MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF CLERGY

For the election of members of the House of Clergy, the qualified electors are all licensed clergy who are members of an Archdeaconry Synod, but not co-opted members, as at 6.00 a.m. on Thursday 18th June 2009.  Any clergy holding the Bishop’s License may be nominated.

3    MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF LAITY

For the election of members of the House of Laity, the qualified electors are those of the laity who were elected from the chaplaincies to the Archdeaconry Synods at Annual Meetings held in 2006, but as amended, if necessary, in 2009, but not co-opted members, as at 6.00 a.m. on Thursday 18th June 2009.

4    QUALIFICATION FOR ELECTION NOMINATION FOR THE HOUSE OF LAITY

All lay persons who are:

(i)        actual communicant members of the Church of England or of a Church in communion with that Church;
(ii)       aged sixteen years and upwards;
(iii)      on the Electoral Roll of any chaplaincy in the diocese;

may be candidates.

5    NOMINATION FORMS

Enclosed with the citation are nomination forms for candidates to both Houses.  WHERE ADDITIONAL FORMS ARE NEEDED, PHOTOCOPIES SHOULD BE MADE LOCALLY.

Nomination forms must be returned to the Presiding Officer AT THE DIOCESAN OFFICE, not later than noon on Monday, 24th August 2009.  Faxed nomination forms will be accepted but the original must also be sent by mail to arrive within three days of the closing date for nominations.

PDF of nomination form for Laity

6    NUMBERS TO BE ELECTED

7    ELECTION ADDRESSES

Nominated candidates may submit an election address which will be sent out with the voting papers to electors.  An election address should be typewritten on one page of A4.  The diocesan office will duplicate the addresses.

8    METHOD OF ELECTION

The election will be by proportional representation (single transferable vote).

9    TIMETABLE 2009

24th August                 Closing date for nominations at noon 
26th August                 Issue of ballot papers, where an election is required
26th October                Closing date for return of ballot papers at noon
(Note that faxes or e-mails are not accepted)
27th October                The Count takes place at 12.00 noon
(Candidates, or their nominated representative, may be present)
28th October                Results of the election are published
1st November               Effective date of holding office

Please note that this timetable will be strictly observed: late returns cannot be allowed for any reason.  If you change your address over the next three months, please ensure that you make this very clear to the Diocesan Electoral Registration Officer at the Diocesan Office

A C Mumford
Diocesan Secretary                    
18 June 2009