LCMS presidential voter registration proceeds under new bylaws

The Rev. Gregory Walton, president of the LCMS Florida-Georgia District, leads the 66th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in balloting for Synod boards in 2016. LCMS congregations are beginning now to register voters for the 2019 election of Synod president. (LCMS /Erik M. Lunsford)

It’s time for congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) to register voters for the 2019 LCMS presidential election.

In October, every member congregation of the Synod was mailed a form to be used in registering those who will cast the congregation’s votes for LCMS president. Any congregation or parish that has not yet sent in its registration form is encouraged to do so now. To be valid, the form must be signed by two congregational officers.

Res. 11-03A removed attendance at the district convention as a prerequisite for those voting for Synod president and amended Bylaw 3.12.2.3 governing the presidential election process. Under the new rules, the presidential voter list is now assembled by direct communication of the Office of the Secretary with congregations and multi-congregation parishes, each of which may designate one lay and (if not vacant) one pastoral voter.

Additionally, Bylaw 3.12.2.3 as amended states that “the congregation will be responsible to present to the Secretary of the Synod 90 days prior to the election a proper credentials form provided by the Secretary, signed by two of the congregation’s officers.”

LCMS Secretary Rev. Dr. John Sias notes, “The new procedure has the potential to significantly increase participation in the presidential vote, as it removes the bar of district convention attendance and lowers the impact of pastoral vacancies. Congregations’ votes depend, though, on timely and proper registration.”

Receipt of presidential election voter registration forms began on Oct. 25 and will continue until March 24, 2019, the 90-day prior deadline referred to above. Congregations that have not yet registered will receive mail and email reminders to do so until registration closes.

Once a registration form has been submitted, changes to previously registered voters or to their contact information may be made until June 15, 2019, by submitting the Voter Update Form or the Substitute Voter Form located on the LCMS website at lcms.org/convention/president-election. More information about presidential voting also is available at that website.

A replacement registration form may be requested by emailing lcmspresidentvote@lcms.org.

Questions about the voting process may be directed to the LCMS Office of the Secretary at 314-996-1417 or lcmspresidentvote@lcms.org.

Posted Dec. 7, 2018