Orientation to Voting Procedures
Be prepared to vote in two ways at the 2025 Convention:
- By using the red and green voting cards labeled “Yea” and “Nay” placed in each voters’ nametag.
- By online ballot accessed by navigating to the QR code/URL included on the voting cards in each voter’s nametag and entering the passcode indicated.
Only certified delegates and clergy may vote.
Voting by Card
When asked by the chair, Bishop Brown, please hold your colored paper up prominently until the vote is called.
- “All in favor?” Green cards.
- “All opposed?” Red cards.
Bishop Brown will declare the results of the vote.
If the vote is too close to call visually, the bishop will call for the Electing Committee Tellers and Diocesan Staff to count the colored cards. The numbers will be reported to Bishop Brown and he will then declare the results.
Voting by Online Ballot
We will vote by online form for contested elections and proposed resolutions for canonical amendments. You will need to use a device (smartphone, tablet, laptop) connected to the internet. You may use a device that you bring with you, the device of someone at your table, or a device at the back of the room where staff can assist you.
If you can use your smartphone or tablet with cellular data, please do! It will help us preserve bandwidth for those without. (Wi-fi access info for the Cross Insurance Center will be shared at convention.)
The ballot will ask for you to enter a full email address. Please use the correct format and check for typos! You will also indicate whether you are clergy or a lay delegate. This information will allow the Electing Committee to count by orders and assist us with keeping the vote secure.
We will open the first ballot for voting in the morning session. It will be clearly announced and displayed on the screens. The ballot will remain open a minimum of 15 minutes so that everyone has time to vote.
The Electing Committee will examine the ballots for any invalidated by choosing too many candidates and tally the votes for each nominee.
The results will be announced when validated, sometime during the following business session.
A second ballot may be necessary if there is one or more ties in any of the 1-6 positions in the Trustees of Diocesan Funds election. If there is a tie, the convention will be asked to cast their vote for one of the parties in the runoff vote at that place. (For example, tie for 2nd place in the lay race would result in an election between the two candidates tied for 2nd and 3rd place.)
A second ballot may also be necessary if there is no clear majority in the vote for a lay member of the Standing Committee or if there is no clear majority in either of the orders for any of the resolutions proposed that call for canonical amendment.
The same procedure indicated above will apply for the second ballot and subsequent ballots, if necessary.
Electing Committee Tellers
The Ven. Aaron Perkins, Archdeacon
The Rev. Lael Sorensen, Assistant Secretary of Convention
Sherri Quint, Accounting Manager, Diocese of Maine
Staff Liaison: Wendy Kopera
Robert’s Rules of Order Cheat Sheet
If you have voice and would like to be recognized to speak:
- Please raise your hand, stand, and go to the floor mic as you are able. Identify yourself by name, congregation, and congregation town. The mic will be on, or we will bring the mic to you.