Official Notice From the Committee on Elections

To All Candidates for an Elected Office at the 41st General Conference of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Convening June 13-19, 2026.

 Bishop James B. Walker, Chair

Paragraph 1500.11, (d), (1) states the Committee on Elections “receives applications of all persons who seek to be voted upon for General Conference elected office.”

Further, ¶ 426. §3. All persons seeking to be elected to the office of Bishop in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church shall be required to submit to a credit report and a certified background check or submit equivalent documentation. 

¶ 1000.5. The General Connectional Board shall have authority as follows. §1. Serve as a screening committee to evaluate the qualifications of persons seeking to be elected to a General Office by the General Conference and require persons seeking an office to submit credit reporting and a certified background check which includes the following: 

• County Criminal/Other Public Records Search 
• County Civil Record Search 
• Credit Report
• Education Verification
• Past Employment Verification
• Federal Criminal/Other Public Records Search
• Instant National Criminal Search
• Driving History Report (MVR)
• Past Address History 

The application process for the upcoming General Conference elections will be as follows.

• All candidates for a General Conference elected Office (Office of the Bishop and General Office) must complete the appropriate form and process below.
• Candidates for the Judicial Council must complete the form below.

Candidates for the Office of Bishop and a General Office

1. By March 10, 2026, please fill out the appropriate application form for the office of Bishop or a General Office.  
2. Fill out the appropriate Application Form here. https://thecmechurch.org/gc2026electioninformation/
3. All candidates for the office of Bishop and a General Office will receive via email a link to the Background Check – Global Link for S2Verify Swifthire. Each candidate will need a credit card to complete the $112.35 (MOL) transaction.
4. Candidates must submit to a background and credit check between January 22, 2026, and March 10, 2026.
5. Note: A background check may take up to 45 days to complete, thus submitting your application by the deadline date allows for time to address possible discrepancies. Delaying the Credit/Background Check process could negatively impact your candidacy. 

Candidates for the Judicial Council

1. As March 10, 2026, candidates for the Judicial Council must fill out an application form.
2. Fill out the Judicial Council Application Form here. https://thecmechurch.org/gc2026electioninformation/

If you have questions about the application process, please email bishopjbwalker@thecmechurch.org.  Questions regarding the background and credit checks should be directed to Senior Bishop Lawrence Reddick at llreddick3@yahoo.com.

Bishop James B. Walker, Chair

Election Committee