Parish Electoral Roll Information

 

What is the Electoral Roll?

The electoral roll is your parish church’s register of electors. In the same way that being on the civic electoral roll allows you to vote in parliamentary and local elections and referenda, joining the Church Electoral Roll means that you can vote on Church matters, attend the Annual Parochial Church Meeting and stand for election to the PCC.

Being on the Electoral Roll does NOT make you a “member” of the Church; simply regarding St Peter & St Paul’s Church as your spiritual home does that. 

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Do I have to join?

You can, of course, be a full and active member of St Peter and St Paul’s Church without joining the Roll. Being on the Electoral Roll does not entail signing up to any additional commitments, however, it does help the Church show its strength. Representation on the governing bodies of the church depends on the number on the Electoral Roll.

Joining the Roll is compulsory if you wish to:

• Stand for election to the PCC or other synodical council (such as the Deanery, Diocesan or General Synod)

• Attend the APCM and participate in votes

 

What does the Electoral Roll affect?

The maximum number of PCC lay members. If the Roll is not representative this means that the PCC is too small for the workload involved, putting heavy strain on the members. Representation on the governing bodies of the Church.

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Do I qualify for the Roll?

To apply for the Electoral Roll you must meet ALL the following conditions:

• You must be aged 16 or over (though you can apply in the year you become 16 and your name will be entered once your birth date has passed).

• You must be baptised.

• You must be a member of the Church of England* and EITHER live in the parish OR have attended a church in the parish regularly for at least 6 months.

 

Why join the Electoral Roll?

Joining the electoral roll is an important way of confirming your commitment to St Peter & St Paul’s Church community and to the vision of the church. However, it also opens up the way for greater involvement in the life of the Church of England, at Deanery, Diocesan and national levels. By joining, you become entitled to participate in the government of the church and to vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting, where the elections take place for:

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• the Parochial Church Council (PCC)

• the parish’s representatives on the deanery synod.

 

Any person entitled to attend the APCM may raise any question of parochial or general church interest.

In addition, those who live outside the Parish but are on the Electoral Roll enjoy all the rights and privileges that go with being resident in the parish (for example, baptisms and weddings). However, if you live outside the Parish and want to be on the Electoral Roll, you must have been worshipping at St Peter & St Paul’s Church for a minimum period of six months.

Joining the roll is an important statement of witness and a step along the path of discipleship. With your name on the electoral roll, the strength of the Church can be seen in our local area, and across the Diocese. If you are a regular attendee at St Peter & St Paul’s Church, you should be on the electoral roll!

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How do I join?

Application forms can be downloaded via the button below, submitted online here or obtained from the back of the church and posted in the post box. Fill in your full name and address and tick the appropriate boxes.  It would assist us greatly if you would also complete the optional ‘Contact Details’ section for our records, particularly email addresses.  Please note that only names will appear on the published Roll. 

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Electoral Roll Application

I can’t remember if I have joined already?

A full printout of the current Roll is available in the Church Office. However, in the years when a full revision is required you must submit a new application to be included on the new Roll regardless of whether you were on the previous roll or not.