# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1969_S237 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 237 Presidents, the following regulations shall apply: Candidates receiving a majority on the first ballot shall be declared elected. When a second or succeeding ballot is required for a majority, the candidate receiving the fewest votes and all candidates receiving less than 15% of the votes cast shall be dropped from the ballot, unless fewer than two candidates receive 15% or more of the votes cast, in which case the three highest candidates shall constitute the ballot. In every election balloting shall continue until every position has been filled by majority vote. COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS HERBERT MUELLER, Secretary (5-26) To Provide for Election of All Officials by Majority Vote Wuereas, Handbook Section 2.125 provides for the election of many officials by a mere plurality vote; and WuereEas, This procedure may easily result in a nominee gaining election by less than 40°< of the vote cast: and Whereas, Such procedure is conducive to improper electioneering; and Wuereas, Electronic methods of casting and tabu- lating votes have been authorized by the Synod (Sec. 2.121 b), thus making runoff elections possible without undue interference with the business sessions of the Synod (as was done at the New York convention in electing members of the Board of Directors: Proceed- ings, pp. 26, 28); therefore be it Resolved, That Section 2.125 of the Handbook be revised to read: PRESENT WORDING A majority of all votes cast shall be required to elect the President, the Vice-Presidents, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and the elective members of the Board of Directors. For all other elections a plurality shall be sufficient. PROPOSED WORDING A majority of all votes cast shall be required for all elec- tions. (remainder deleted) and be it further Resolved, That this change be effected at this (1969) convention. Fait LuTHERAN CHURCH Ukiah, Calif. Epwin Soun, Pastor CHARLES BELL, Secretary (5-27) To Require Election of Some Younger Persons Whereas, The Lutheran Confessions assert that all pastors are of equal rank in the church; and WHEREAS, Conditions in The Lutheran Church — Mis- souri Synod as well as in the world indicate that there is a growing generation gap between young and old: and Whereas, In these times younger pastors. teachers, and laymen desire a greater voice in the actions and attitudes of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod: and WHEREAS, Younger pastors, teachers. and laymen are able to significantly contribute to the vitality and prog- ress of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod: there- fore be it Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod, in convention assembled, adopt the practice that at least one member of each and every board or com- mission in The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod be 30 or less years of age at the time of his election. BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH Covington, Ky. Joe BertTE, Chairman Grecory A. OrTeE, Pastor (5-28) To Revise Bylaws Governing Board for Convention Nominations PRESENT WORDING 2.139 Election of Board for Convention Nominations a. At each convention of the Synod fifteen persons — seven pastors, three teachers, and five laymen—shall be elected to serve as members of the Board for Convention Nominations for the next convention; they are to be chosen from a list of candidates representative of the various geo- graphical areas of the Synod, submitted by the current Board for Convention Nominations and augmented by additional candidates, if any, nominated from the floor of the con- vention. b. Should a vacancy occur on the Board for Convention Nominations, it shall be filled by appointment from the list of nonelected nominees in the order of the highest number of votes received. 2.141 Publication of Names of Board for Convention Nomi- nations and Solicitation of Suggestions for Candidates The names of the members of the Board for Convention Nominations shall be published in The Lutheran Witness and Der Lutheraner by the Secretary of the Synod 8 months before each convention of the Synod, and all members and congregations of the Synod shall be invited to suggest to the board the names of suitable candidates for the various offices, with reasons for such suggestions. The suggestions and in- formation shall be transmitted to the board through the PROPOSED WORDING 2.139 Election of Board for Convention Nominations a. No change. b. No change. 2.141 Publication of Names of Board for Convention Nomi- nations and Solicitation of Suggestions for Candidates a. The names of the members of the Board for Convention Nominations shall be published in the official synodical publications by the Secretary of the Synod at least 12 months prior to each convention. b. Members and congregations of the Synod shall be in- vited to suggest to the board names of suitable candidates, accompanied by supporting information, for the various elec- tive offices, boards, and commissions of the Synod.