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CHURCH ELECTORAL ROLL 2025
Would you like to have more say in the direction of your Church? Therefore would you like to be on your churches’ electoral roll?
In accordance with the Church Representation Rules (‘CRR’), this year an entirely new church electoral roll must be prepared in advance of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in every parish in the Church of England. Whether or not a person has their name entered on the existing electoral roll, anyone wishing to be enrolled on the new roll must complete a fresh form of application.
If you are interested in applying please see the attached letter and application form. Forms must be returned no later than 1st April 2025. Please do ask the Electoral Roll Officer, a member of the ministry team or the office if you have any questions.
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What is the Church Electoral Roll?
The Church Electoral Roll is the parish church’s register of electors; it is the list of those qualified to attend and to vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting where the elections take place for:
a) Parochial Church Council;
b) Parish representatives on the Deanery Synod.
Any person entitled to attend the Annual Parochial Church Meeting may raise any question of parochial or general church interest.
How is the Electoral Roll kept up to date?
The Electoral Roll is revised each year before the Annual Parochial Church Meeting.
Every six years the Electoral Roll is completely renewed. In a year of renewal, no names are carried over from the old roll and everyone must make a new application to be included on the new roll.
How is the Electoral Roll publicised?
We are required to keep a copy on the notice board in church, but for data security reasons this lists members by name only, not address. A full list with addresses and date of joining is kept in the Church Office.
How do I apply to be entered on the roll?
In accordance with the Church Representation Rules anyone who wishes to have their name on the Electoral Roll must complete an application form and return this to the Church Office.
How do I know if I am eligible to apply?
Under the Church Representation Rules, you are eligible to apply if you:
(1) are baptised, a lay person, and aged 16 or over *;
(2) have signed a form of application for enrolment;
(* A person who is going to become 16 during the next 12 months may complete the form, and will then be eligible to have his or her name entered on the Roll on his or her 16th birthday.)
and either
(1) a member of the Church of England (or of a Church in communion with the Church of England) and am resident in the parish.
OR
(2) a member of the Church of England or of a Church in communion with the Church of England, am not resident in the parish, [but have habitually attended public worship in the parish during the preceding six months] or [ would have habitually attended public worship in the parish during the preceding six months but was prevented from doing so because ……. ]
OR
(3)
a member in good standing of a Church which is not in communion with the Church of England but subscribes to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, and also declare themself to be a member of the Church of England, [and have habitually attended public worship in the parish during the preceding six months] or [ would have habitually attended public worship in the parish during the preceding six months but was prevented from doing so because …… ]
Any queries should be sent to the Church Office office@stmaryssawston.org.uk or to Janet Martin, Church Electoral Roll Officer.