INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Voting members of the 2001 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) received an explanation about an error that occurred with the electronic voting machines being used to conduct an election for a presiding bishop for the ELCA.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the church, is meeting here Aug. 8-14 at the Indiana Convention Center. There are more than 2,000 people participating including 1,040 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known: Sharing Faith in a New Century."
On Aug. 10, an initial vote by voting members on the fourth ballot was nullified because of an error with the voting equipment. Voting members voted a second time in the same plenary session.
The first two ballots were "paper ballots," said Phillip H. Harris, ELCA general counsel. He told the assembly that he thought his "job would be made easy" by the electronic voting system used to electronically collect votes and display results of the third, fourth and fifth ballot. "But, that dream was shattered at 3 p.m. yesterday," Harris told the assembly.
He said the electronic voting machines -- which provide voting results instantly -- are operated by an outside organization called SWANK. "SWANK technicians are the only ones with access to the computers," Harris said.
The error appeared on the results screen following the fourth ballot. "Results showed that one [of the three remaining nominees for ELCA presiding bishop] received no votes. The [voting machines] had not been reprogrammed after the third ballot," Harris said.
"The computers create backup data files based on what keys were pushed by voting members. Technicians spent one hour to secure the [machines] for the next ballot, which took place at 4:30 p.m.," he said.
Harris delivered the corrected results of the fourth ballot:
+ The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, bishop of the ELCA Saint Paul Area Synod, St. Paul, Minn., is the leading nominee with 448 votes;
+ The Rev. Donald J. McCoid, bishop of the ELCA Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod, Pittsburgh, is second with 362 votes;
+ The Rev. James A. Nestingen, professor of church history, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, received 225 votes. Nestingen was eliminated from consideration.
After Harris' report, Nestingen expressed to the assembly is "gratitude" to the assembly, Harris and SWANK technicians, and said he accepted the voting results. "I am happy as a clam to go back to the classroom," he said.
The fifth and final ballot for election of presiding bishop of the ELCA is Aug. 11. - - -
Information about assembly actions is at http://www.elca.org/assembly/01 on the ELCA's Web site. Recorded updates during the assembly are available by calling 773/38-02477.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
