The following is the text of the Corrected Ballot for the Proposed Constitutional Amendment 1. What was voted on in 2017 was found to be in error. This is for your information. Ballots will be handed out at the time of the vote on the floor of the 2018 Annual Conference.

INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY!

PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT I CORRECTED BALLOT

On May 16, 2016, at a session of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church held in Portland, Oregon, the following Constitutional Amendment was adopted by a recorded vote of 746 Yes, 56 No (Calendar Item 121, DCA p. 2106). The text of this amendment as distributed to the annual conferences in 2016 was found to be in error. The corrected text is now presented to the annual conferences for vote.

In the 2012 Book of Discipline, Division One, add a new paragraph between current ¶¶ 5 and 6:

As the Holy Scripture reveals, both men and women are made in the image of God and, therefore, men and women are of equal value in the eyes of God. The United Methodist Church acknowledges the long history of discrimination against women and girls. The United Methodist Church shall confront and seek to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, whether in organizations or in individuals, in every facet of its life and in society at large. The United Methodist Church shall work collaboratively with others to address concerns that threaten women’s and girls’ equality and well-being.

If voted and so declared by the Council of Bishops, this would become the new ¶6, and the current ¶¶ 6-61 would be renumbered as ¶¶ 7-62.

Rationale for Proposed Constitutional Amendment I The United Methodist Church Voted General Conference May 2016.

I.    (New ¶ 6) The Constitution contains a paragraph on racial justice but not one on gender justice. The language of this petition is parallel to the language
of Article 5 on racial justice already in our Constitution. It is an affirmation that, as part of our core foundational beliefs, this church will forever stand against any actions, organizations or individuals that discriminate or dehumanize
women and girls anywhere on this planet.

 

*The vote will take place at 2018 West Ohio Annual Conference.