What is the Electoral Roll?
It is 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 PCC.
Being on the Electoral Roll does NOT make you a “member” of the Church; simply regarding All Saints or St. Andrews 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 All Saints or St. Andrews 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 in All Saints Church (if you live outside the parish)

What does the Electoral Roll affect?

• The maximum number of PCC lay members. For a large Church like All Saints, if the Roll is not representative this means that the PCC is too small for the workload involved, putting heavy strain on the members. Representation on the governing bodies of the Church (PCC, Deanery Synod, Diocesan and General Synod).
• The Church of England is governed by a synodical system which joins with the Bishops to make decisions. Being on the Electoral Roll is the entry point and Christians share an individual responsibility to be part of the “Body of Christ” and to participate fully in our part of His Church. This system is intended to enable church people at every level to be in touch with the Church as a whole and to play their part in decision making. Also, the system is intended to ensure that the laity have their place in every aspect of church life, including doctrine and services.

The Electoral Roll does NOT have a direct bearing in the way the Parish Share is assessed.

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 All Saints’ 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
• the parish’s representatives on the deanery synod.

Any person entitled to attend the APCM (which is on Monday 10th May 2021) may raise any question of parochial or general church interest.
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 village (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 All Saints for a minimum period of 6 months.
Numbers are important in the present climate in which the Church of England needs to be aware of the commitment of its people. Church morale is affected by statistics and while it would be wrong to inflate the significance of the Roll it would be a missed opportunity to ignore it.
Joining the roll is an important statement of witness and a step along the path of discipleship. 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 All Saints, you should be on the electoral roll!

I’m convinced – how do I join?
Application forms can be downloaded here or are available from the Welcome Desk. Fill in your full name and address (as legibly as possible!), and tick the appropriate boxes (see the explanation above, or ask a member of staff).  It would assist us greatly if you would also complete the optional ‘Contact Details’ section for our records, particularly email addresses.  Please note that only names and postcodes will appear on the published Roll.  Put the completed forms in the box on the Welcome Desk labelled “Electoral Roll Forms”.
I can’t remember if I have joined already?
A full printout of the current Roll is available upon request from the Church Office. 

​My details have changed recently
If you are a member of All Saints or St. Andrews Church and your contact details have recently changed, it would be helpful if you could notify the Church Office so that they can amend the membership database. Telephone: 0247 610 2140

How can I find out the results of the Renewal?
The Electoral Roll Officer gives a report at the APCM. Also, a copy of the new Roll is placed in the holder next to the pigeonholes at the back of Church.  
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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.