Rules and Procedures (Bishop Election)

Rules

Constitutional Provision

S9.04. The bishop shall be elected by the Synod Assembly by ecclesiastical ballot. Three-fourths of the legal votes cast shall be necessary for election on the first ballot. If no one is elected, the first ballot shall be considered the nominating ballot. Three-fourths of the legal votes cast on the second ballot shall be necessary for election. The third ballot shall be limited to the seven persons (plus ties) who received the greatest number of legal votes on the second ballot, and two-thirds of the legal votes cast shall be necessary for election. The fourth ballot shall be limited to the three persons (plus ties) who receive the greatest number of legal votes on the third ballot, and 60% of the legal votes cast shall be necessary for election. On subsequent ballots a majority of the legal votes cast shall be necessary for election. These ballots shall be limited to the two persons (plus ties) who receive the greatest number of legal votes on the previous ballot.

Constitutional provisions may not be suspended by the assembly. Amendment and recension is possible but only with prior notice, which has not been given in this case.

Continuing Resolution

CR1.01. When the election of the Synodical Bishop occurs during a regular synod assembly, the agenda shall include the following:
a) distribution of biographical information for each candidate prior to the third ballot;
b) questioning of each candidate prior to the third ballot, the questions being generated by the conferences and vetted by the synod council; and
c) a teaching period by each candidate prior to the fourth ballot.

Per †S18.31, continuing resolutions may be adopted or amended by a majority vote of the Synod Assembly without prior notice. In the absence of a convention standing rule (special rules of order specific to the given assembly), changes to continuing resolutions take effect immediately unless specified otherwise.

Procedures

Each ballot will be described, but there are some general things that apply to all ballots.

• Registration will close 10 minutes prior to each ballot. One must be registered and have received a voting member ID in order to vote.
• Voters must be before the bar of the assembly in order to vote.
• The chamber (or voting members area) may be sealed during balloting.
• Follow the instructions of the election officer in charge.
• It is a secret ballot. You do not have to tell anyone for whom you voted.
• If you spoil your ballot, take your spoiled ballot immediately to an election official. Turn in your spoiled ballot in order to receive a replacement. You will not receive a replacement ballot unless you turn in your spoiled ballot.
• Write as legibly as possible.
  

First Ballot for Bishop

Ballot type: Ecclesiasitcal, paper
Eligible: All those who are on the ELCA roster of ministers of Word & Sacrament
Needed to elect: 75%

In an ecclesiastical ballot, the voter receives a blank piece of paper (apart from a header, if any). The voter might write down the name of any person on the ELCA roster of ministers of Word & Sacrament. It does not have to be a minister of Word & Sacrament on the roster of the synod holding the election.

• As some people share the same name (or, at least, last name), providing first and last name is helpful.
• It is also helpful to provide additional information, especially for those who are not part of the synod holding the election,. e.g., church serving, synod of roster, place of residence, telephone number, email, etc.. It is not required to provide additional information.
  

If there is no election on the first ballot…

If no one receives 75% of the legal votes on the first ballot, the first ballot will be considered a nominating ballot. No write-ins will be allowed beyond the first ballot.

Attempt will be made to notify all those who received at least one legal vote. For those present at the assembly, this will come in the form of the Report of the Elections Committee on the floor; for those not present, telephone, email, etc. contact will be attempted.

All those receiving at least one legal vote shall have the opportunity to withdraw from the election process. For those present at the assembly, instructions will be given where to report and how to file the withdrawal. For those not present, witnessed withdrawal may be given by remotely. After this process, withdrawal is not permitted.

The names of all those who have not withdrawn shall be entered on the second ballot.

The time of the second ballot shall be set by special order. If not set as a special order when the agenda is adopted, it will be set at the time of the Report of the Elections Committee.

Second Ballot for Bishop

Ballot type: Standard, paper with check boxes
Eligible: Those receiving at least one legal vote on the first ballot who have also not withdrawn
Needed to elect: 75%

This is a standard ballot. Write-ins, however, are not allowed. The names of all those receiving at least one vote on the first ballot and who have also not withdrawn shall be listed on the ballot, each with a check box next to their name.

If there is no election on the second ballot…

If no one receives 75% of the legal votes cast on the second ballot, the top seven (plus ties) shall be entered onto the third ballot.

Per continuing resolution, these candidates shall furnish a completed biographical information sheet provided by the Elections Committee. The completed biographical information sheets shall be compiled and distributed to voting members.

• If the assembly is on consecutive days, these biographical information sheets are normally completed and compiled overnight with the distribution taking place the following morning.
• If the assembly is not on consecutive days, the Elections Committee will set a schedule for submission and distribution. Distribution may be electronically prior to the assembly reconvening.
  

Per the same continuing resolution, Q&A with the candidates shall be held prior to the third ballot. The Elections Committee, unless overruled by the assembly or Synod Council, may determine the method and content of the Q&A.

The time of the third ballot shall be set by special order. If not set as a special order when the agenda is adopted, it will be set at the time of the Report of the Elections Committee.

Third Ballot for Bishop

Ballot type: Standard, paper with check boxes
Eligible: Top seven vote recipients (plus ties) on the second ballot.
Needed to elect: ⅔ vote

This is a standard ballot. Write-ins, however, are not allowed. The names of those receiving the seven greatest number of votes (plus ties) shall be listed on the ballot, each with a check box next to their name.

If there is no election on the third ballot…

If no one receives ⅔ of the legal vote, the top three (plus ties) shall be entered onto the fourth ballot.

Per continuing resolution, these candidates shall be given time to teach the assembly, each on a topic of his/her choice, prior to the fourth ballot. The Elections Committee, unless overruled by the assembly or Synod Council, may determine the logistics and limits of the teaching time.

The time of the fourth ballot shall be set by special order. If not set as a special order when the agenda is adopted, it will be set at the time of the Report of the Elections Committee.

Fourth Ballot for Bishop

Ballot type: Standard, paper with check boxes
Eligible: Top three vote recipients (plus ties) on the third ballot.
Needed to elect: 60%

This is a standard ballot. Write-ins, however, are not allowed. The names of those receiving the three greatest number of votes (plus ties) shall be listed on the ballot, each with a check box next to their name.

If there is no election on the fourth ballot…

If no one receives a 60% of the legal vote, the top two (plus ties) shall be entered onto the fourth ballot.

The time of the fifth ballot shall be set by special order. If not set as a special order when the agenda is adopted, it will be set at the time of the Report of the Elections Committee.

Fifth Ballot for Bishop

Ballot type: Standard, paper with check boxes
Eligible: Top two vote recipients (plus ties) on the fourth ballot.
Needed to elect: majority

This is a standard ballot. Write-ins, however, are not allowed. The names of those receiving the two greatest number of votes (plus ties) shall be listed on the ballot, each with a check box next to their name.

If there is no election on the fifth ballot…

It is possible that, as a result of a tie(s), no candidate receives a majority of legal votes cast. In this event, the process for the fifth ballot is repeated until one candidate receives a majority of legal votes cast.