General Synod elections 2026

Serving on General Synod is a meaningful way to contribute to the governance, vision, and future direction of the Church of England. If you feel called to take part, we warmly encourage you to explore the process and consider standing. If you would like further information, please reach out to governance.support@bristoldiocese.org 

House of Laity  

You may be eligible to stand for election to the House of Laity even if you are not eligible to vote in the House of Laity elections. 

To stand for election to the House of Laity of the General Synod, a person must: 

• Have received Holy Communion in accordance with the practice of the Church of England, or a Church in communion with it, at least three times in the twelve months preceding the date of the dissolution of the General Synod. 

• Be confirmed (or ready and willing to be confirmed), or be a communicant member of a Church that subscribes to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. 

• Be 18 years of age or older on the date of the dissolution of the General Synod (expected July 2026). 

In addition, the person’s name must either: 

• Be on the electoral roll of a parish within the Diocese, or 
• Be on the community roll of the Cathedral Church of the Diocese. 

House of Clergy 

To be eligible to stand for election to the House of Clergy in the Diocese or other electoral area, a person must: 

• Have been ordained as a priest or deacon; 

• Not be in episcopal orders; and 

• Fall into one of the following categories: 

• A qualified elector in the Diocese or other electoral area; or 

• A person who has written permission from the Bishop to officiate in the Diocese and who would be a qualified elector if they were:  

1. a member of a deanery synod in the Diocese or other electoral area; or 

2. in the Diocese in Europe, a member of a deanery or archdeaconry synod; or 

3. in the Diocese of Sodor and Man, a member of the Diocesan Synod. 

A person may stand for election if they are normally a qualified elector in the universities and TEIs constituency, provided that: 

• They choose to stand in the Diocese or electoral area instead of the universities and TEIs constituency 

If they decide to stand in the Diocese/area rather than in the universities and TEIs constituency, they must inform both: 

• the Presiding Officer for the Diocese, and 

• the Presiding Officer for the universities and TEIs constituency  

• They are beneficed in, or licensed to, a parish in the Diocese or other electoral area  

• They are licensed to serve as a vicar in a team ministry in a benefice in the Diocese or other electoral area 

• They would otherwise be eligible to vote in the Diocese or electoral area (they meet all the usual requirements to be an elector in that Diocese except that they are currently registered as an elector in the universities and TEIs constituency).   

The National Society for Education is hosting a series of orientation evenings for young adults interested in participating in General Synod. The sessions are free to sign up to and will take place over Zoom.  

Sign up to the sessions here: 

Wednesday 18th March 2026 

The Democratic Process of General Synod: How does it work?  

How can young adults get elected? 

Thursday 16th April 2026 

Unity in Diversity: Handling Disagreement as Christians 

Participating in tough conversations 

General Synod Young Voices - May 2026 

Leadership, representation and calling: Stepping up to Synod. 

Building confidence and encouraging participation 

Thursday 4th June 2026 

Future Church: Where are we heading? 

Imagining and creating what comes next 

Wednesday 22nd July 2026 

Inside Synod: Highlights, Hopes and Next Steps 

Post-Synod debrief and feedback