Letter from the Standing Committee:

Election Registration to Open Tomorrow,

Who's Eligible to Vote

Dear Diocese of Florida,

Registration will open tomorrow for the Special Electing Convention at Camp Weed on Nov. 19.

Ahead of its opening, we'd like to use this message today to educate and remind our diocesan community on who is eligible to vote. 

Those who have a seat, voice and vote at any diocesan convention are listed in Canon 1, Section 3 of our Diocesan Canons. Most notably, below are details on how clergy delegates (canonically resident clergy) and congregational lay delegates are determined.

Requirements of Canonically Resident Clergy

All canonically resident clergy of our diocese in good standing are eligible to vote. In a recent FAQ video (8:15-9:49), we shared standards that guide Bishop Howard and our diocese when considering granting or maintaining clergy's canonical residency. These standards have been in place and followed for several decades, and many of which are used by other dioceses. 

As stated in the FAQ video, any clergy who feels they are eligible to be canonically resident in the Diocese of Florida but is not is invited by the Bishop to be in contact with him directly.

Allocation of Congregational Lay Delegates

As a pastoral accommodation, parishes were allowed to use pre-COVID numbers to determine their number of delegates for the May 14 election.

However, we must adhere strictly to the Diocesan Canons, which require that all parishes use the attendance numbers from their 2021 Parochial Report when determining the number of delegates they will send to this election.

To do otherwise potentially opens us to another procedural objection. You may read further context surrounding this approach here. A link to allotted delegates per parish can be found here. 

If a rector or priest-in-charge feels that the diocese’s 2021 numbers are incorrect for their parish, she or he may call the Diocesan Office for assistance.

We hope this message helps to provide additional clarity to everybody across our diocese. We welcome any questions you might have; please contact us at standingcommittee@diocesefl.org.

In Christ Alone,

The Standing Committee

Until 2023      The Rev. Joe Gibbes, President

                       Mr. Ben Hill

Until 2024      The Rev. Teresa Seagle

                       Mr. Arthur Crofton

Until 2025      The Rev. Sarah Minton

                       Ms. Jackie Jones