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Last updated 18th July 2026

General Synod Elections 2026

New members are being elected to General Synod this year from Dioceses across the country. 

General Synod is the national assembly of the Church of England. It shapes and approves laws that affect the whole of the Church of England. It agrees new forms of worship, debates matters of national and international importance, and approves the annual budget for the work of the Church at national level.

In Autumn 2026, elections are happening for new General Synod members. Those elected will serve for five years. Members are a mixture of bishops, clergy and lay people. 

Further information here: https://www.churchofengland.org/about/governance/general-synod/elections-synod

More local information about General Synod elections in our Diocese will be posted here soon. Below is the timetable ahead. 

Date

Stage

 

Tuesday

14th July

Diocesan electoral registration officer gives the names and addresses of electors to the secretary of each deanery synod

Monday

20th July

Secretary of each deanery synod responds to the diocesan electoral registration officer

Monday

27th July

Diocesan electoral registration officer gives the names and addresses to the presiding officer

Wednesday

29th July

Presiding officer sends initial letter to each elector

Friday

14th August

Invitations to nominate issued

Monday

7th September

Close of nominations

Deadline for receipt of election addresses

Monday

21st September

Invitations to vote issued

Voting period opens

Monday

12th October

Voting period for voting by paper closes

Tuesday

13th October

Voting period for voting by using elections portal closes

Wednesday

14th October

Count begins and lasts for three days

Monday

19th October

Declaration of result and preparation of result sheet

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