Electing the Primate: the process

1. Under a new process this year, bishops secure the consent of episcopal colleagues whom they wish to nominate for the office of primate, then send a letter to the current primate, Archbishop Andrew Hutchison, with the names of proposed candidates.

2. At a closed session of the regular spring meeting of the house of bishops, nominees are voted upon and three to five candidates are chosen.

3. At General Synod in June, lay and clergy delegates vote by ballot in open session. After two ballots, synod may call upon the house of bishops, who are sequestered, for additional candidates.

4. When a nominee wins a majority of votes from both orders of clergy and laity, a new primate is announced at General Synod.