Electoral Roll

What is the Electoral Roll?

The Electoral Roll is the chaplaincy's register of electors. Every chaplaincy or parish in the Church of England has to maintain an Electoral Roll. Our Diocese is the Diocese in Europe, and the rules for Electoral Rolls which are defined in the Church Representation Rules apply to all Dioceses.

If you are on the Electoral Roll, you are entitled to attend and vote at the AGM (Annual General Meeting). It costs nothing to be on the Electoral Roll - neither money nor any other commitment.

What difference does it make?

By enrolling you become a voting member of the Church of England and so help to ensure that all the Synodical councils of the Church (church council, archdeaconry synod, diocesan synod and general synod) are fully representative of their members. Synodical government gives an opportunity for partnership between bishops, clergy and laity in the life of the Church. It is intended to enable church people at every level to be in touch with the Church as a whole and to play their part in decision making. The number of lay representatives depends, in part, on the number of people on the Electoral Roll.

In the Diocese in Europe, it is also the basis for calculations on how much we pay to (1) the Archdeaconry and (2) the Diocese in Europe. Chaplaincies with more members pay a larger contribution.

Who can be a member of the Electoral Roll?

Membership of the Electoral Roll is open to lay members of the Church of England, lay members of churches in communion with the Church of England, and lay members in good standing of another church which subscribes to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. Members must be

More details of the requirements for joining the Electoral Roll can be found in the Church Representation Rules.

Completing the Electoral Roll Form

If you would like to apply to join the Electoral Roll, you need to complete a form. You can find forms in the church hall or here on the website. Alternatively, you can ask the Electoral Roll Officer or the church office (see our contacts list) to send you a form to complete.

The form should be easy to complete and there are notes to help. If you have any problems or difficulties please speak to the Electoral Roll Officer or the chaplain (see our contacts list). Note that only your name will appear on the published Electoral Roll. However full information has to be provided to the appropriate authorities, if they request it.

Once you have completed the form, please put it in the council secretary tray on the piano in the upper hall, give it to a council member or post it to the church - address on the home page.

Keeping the Electoral Roll up to date

The church council is responsible for the upkeep of the Electoral Roll. The task is actually carried out by the Electoral Roll Officer who is appointed by the council in the first meeting after the AGM. However, the Electoral Roll Officer does not need to be a member of council.

Each year our Electoral Roll is revised just before the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and approved by council.

Every six years (the next time in 2025), the whole Electoral Roll is renewed. This means that every person must re-apply by completing a form again. The rules for revising the Electoral Roll can be found in Church Representation Rules

Elections

At the AGM we elect representatives to the church council and also the churchwardens. In order to vote at these elections, you must be on the Electoral Roll. You must also be on the Electoral Roll if you would like to nominate someone for election.

If you would like to stand for election yourself you must have been on the Electoral Roll for at least the preceding six (6) months. The Electoral Roll is always displayed for between 15 and 28 days before each AGM. And the people who can be nominated are marked.

2025-01-11 / TC