ELECTORAL ROLL
What is the Electoral Roll?
It’s 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 (APCM) and stand for election to the Parochial Church Council (PCC).
Being on the Electoral Roll doesn’t make you a “member” of the Church; simply regarding St Barnabas as your spiritual home does that. Indeed, a condition of joining the Roll is that you are already a “member” of a Church!
Do I have to join?
You can of course be a full and active member of St Barnabas 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, so it would be good if we can increase the numbers!
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
Get married or baptise your children at St Barnabas (if you live outside the parish)
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 the St Barnabas community and to the vision of the church. But 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 the parochial church council and the parish’s representatives on the deanery synod.
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 come onto the Electoral Roll, you have to have been worshipping at St Barnabas for a minimum period of 6 months.
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’re a regular at St Barnabas, please consider being on the electoral roll.
Would you like to join our electoral roll?
Churchwarden Jane Wood can give you a form to complete and help you with any queries. Please email vicar@stbarnabaserdington.org.uk
I’m on the roll but my details have changed recently?
Please speak to Jane Wood at a Sunday service or email vicar@stbarnabaserdington.org.uk so we can amend your details on the database.
Data Privacy Notice
Please click here for a Data Privacy Notice, issued in line with the new GDPR regulations, which explains how we handle your data, and your rights under the Regulations.