Who May Vote at Annual Conference?
5/30/2013
Because of Constitutional amendments being considered at this Annual Conference session, the rules of who may or may not vote are a little more complicated. Here’s a quick reference to assist you:
- Only the lay members and the clergy in full connection may vote on constitutional amendments. Provisional members, associate and affiliate members, and local pastors may not vote on constitutional amendments. (¶602.1b, c, & d)
- Clergy on honorable location are no longer members of the annual conference and so have no right to vote in annual conference sessions on any matters. ¶359.2
- Clergy on administrative location are no longer members of the annual conference. (¶360.3)
- For clergy on involuntary leave, ¶355.7 applies and they are not excluded from voting on constitutional amendments.
- Elders and deacons on voluntary leave of absence are covered by ¶354.7 and have the right to vote.
- Elders and deacons on sabbatical, family, and paternity/maternity leave are covered by ¶354.7 and have the right to vote.
- Elders and deacons on medical leave are covered by ¶357 and have the right to vote.
- Diaconal ministers and active deaconesses are lay members of the annual conference and as such have the right to vote on constitutional amendments under Paragraph 33.Article II of the constitution.
