CHURCH ELECTORAL ROLL

The parish church electoral roll is the first building block of the Church of England's governance structure. It is not the same as the local authority Register of Electors, nor is it a 'membership' list, but a register of the lay people in the church community who are entitled to vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM), and so help shape the focus of mission and ministry in the parish.

 

Those on the roll are eligible to be elected to lay representative positions on their Parochial Church Council (PCC) and Deanery Synod. Deanery Synod representatives may then be elected to Diocesan Synod and General Synod. The total number on the parish church electoral roll,

as presented at the APCM, is an important factor in determining the number of lay representatives (parochial and deanery synod) that a parish may have. It is also a small component of how the parish share - the annual contribution each parish makes to the Diocese of St Albans - is calculated.

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A formal process is undertaken by the PCC each year in preparation for the APCM, to ensure the roll's accuracy. 2026 is electoral roll revision year, meaning only additons and deletions are made to an existing list. A new roll is required to be prepared every six years (the next is 2031), where the roll starts from zero and everyone has to apply to join.

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The framework for governance of any parish church in the CofE is detailed in the Church Representation Rules and the rules pertaining to the parish Electoral Roll can be found here.

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As well as giving voting rights at the Annual Meeting, inclusion on the Electoral Roll also makes it possible for those living outside the parish to have their banns read and be married at St Saviour's. 

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You can download the Electoral Roll Application pdf form and return to the Parish Electoral Roll Officer, or pick up a paper copy from the back of church.

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