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.
Key Dates:
| 14 July 2026 | Deadline for qualifying as an elector (for most members) is 06:00h on day of dissolution of Synod |
| 14 July 2026 | Synod dissolved and election period begins |
| 27 July 2026 | Register of electors sent by Diocesan Electoral Registration Officer to the Presiding Officer by this date |
| 14 August 2026 | Invitations to nominate issued |
| 7 September 2026 | Nominations close |
| 21 September 2026 | Invitations to vote issued on this date |
| 12 October 2026 | Deadline for postal votes |
| 13 October 2026 | Online voting period ends |
| 14-16 October 2026 | Counting takes place |
| 19 October 2026 | All results declared |
Joining General Synod is a fantastic opportunity to represent the concerns of your community and your diocese at a national level. Almost anyone who attends church regularly is likely to be eligible to stand for election as a lay member. There is a supportive induction programme to help new members in their roles.
We are looking for candidates who represent the whole range of people and churches in the Church of England. We particularly welcome candidates whose background may currently be underrepresented.
If you are interested in standing for election, please use the eligibility checker linked below. If you are standing as a lay member, you need two people who are currently members of the House of Laity on your Deanery Synod to nominate you. If you are clergy, you need two other clergy to nominate you.Civica who are the organisation running the elections on behalf of the Church of England will email all electors a link to the nomination portal on 14 August.
Nominations open on 14 August and close on 7 September. Electors will be sent the invitations to nominate on 14 August.
Physical nomination forms can be downloaded here:
House of Laity Nomination Form
House of Clergy Nomination Form
The register of electors for General Synod is currently being reviewed by our Deanery Secretaries. Once this has been done, the register will be available to inspect on request in person at our Peterborough Diocesan office between 14 August and 7 September inclusive. If you wish to arrange to see the register, please email russ.beese@peterborough-diocese.org.uk