# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1956_S480
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS

Revision of Synod’s Election Procedures
(Memorial 507)

I

Wuereas, The work of our beloved Synod has vastly increased
in volume and complexity since its inception in 1847; and

Wuereas, The personnel to man the boards and commit-
tees necessary for efficient prosecution of this work has also
increased since the original officers and boards of Synod were
first selected; and

Wuereas, Synod has already found it necessary to delegate
election of certain personnel to special electoral colleges, e.g., the
calling of professors, calling of missionaries and executive secre-
taries of missions; and

Wuereas, Under even the most felicitous conditions the present
election procedure of Synod, as outlined in the synodical Handbook
2.121 to 2.153, is very time-consuming; and

Wuergas, A more efficient procedure would expedite the work
of Synod’s conventions; therefore be it

Resolved, That the California~-Nevada District, in convention
assembled at Oakland, June 21—24, 1954, memorialize the Hon-
orable Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod to revise its election
procedure; and be it further

Resolved, That such proposed revision be as follows:

a) Section 2.121 be retained as at present.

b) Section 2.123 be revised to read:

“The President, the Vice-Presidents, the Secretary, the Treas-
urer, and the Board of Directors shall be elected in the order
here given.”

c) Sections 2.125 through 2.137 be retained as at present.

d) Special sections be added to the procedure to make pro-
vision for nomination and election. of other officers as follows:

“The primary election for the nomination of candidates for
the offices of Secretary, Treasurer, and Board of Directors shall be
held in the order named upon completion of election and ranking
of the Vice-Presidents. Each delegate shall be entitled to one
nomination for each position to be filled.”

and
“Upon completion of the primary election for each office, ballots
shall be prepared, containing the names of the three receiving the
highest number of votes in the primary. In the election for Board
of Directors, the ballot shall contain at least three times as many
names as positions to be filled.”