An election of elders is conducted by the Session after it has decided that new elders are needed and has fixed the number required. Before every election, the minister shall expound in each congregation in his charge the biblical teaching on the office of eldership.

Ordination and/or induction to the eldership is subject to the person elected in accordance with rules 3:22, 23 having diligently completed an eldership training course which includes instruction in the eldership vows (see Appendix 14).

The election is carried out by the communicant members of the parish voting as a single constituency. Where there are two or more local congregations within the parish, the Session may determine that a specified number of elders are sought for different congregations within that parish. Regardless of whether or not the Session has made this determination the voting is always by the whole parish collectively, as elders rule and serve for the parish and not for a particular congregation only.

All whose names are on the roll of communicant members and who are not less than sixteen years of age are eligible to vote.

The following persons may be nominated for election as elders:

1. male communicant members of the congregation who are not less than twenty-one years of age, and who have been active communicant members of the congregation for not less than one year;
   
2. male elders who have been active communicant members of the congregation for less than twelve months, and who have given satisfactory service in a previous congregation where they were members of a Session;
   
3. ministers without charge who are members of the congregation but not ministerial members of Presbytery. A list of those eligible for election is displayed at the church or otherwise made available to communicant members of the parish.

For the choice of new elders an election by ballot must always be held, announcement of which is given at least two Sundays prior to the date fixed for voting to cease.

The ballot is conducted either without prior nominations, or after receiving nominations. Whichever method is followed, voters may vote for any number of eligible persons up to but not exceeding the number of elders to be elected.

When nominations are not called for, voters write on a blank paper the names of the persons for whom they vote and sign and lodge it by the required date. Session may choose to proceed with a secret ballot involving unsigned papers by appointing an electoral officer who will ensure that only those eligible to vote will receive special ballot papers authenticated by the Session.

Alternatively, the Session asks that nominations signed by at least one communicant member be submitted to the Session clerk during a period of not less than eight days. The Session also, if it sees fit, may nominate persons for election.

The Session then prepares and issues ballot papers containing:

1. a list of eligible nominees arranged in alphabetical order;
2. a note to the effect that voters may vote up to the number required for any eligible persons whether nominated or not;
3. such other instructions as may be considered necessary.

These papers are distributed during a period of not less than eight days, including two Sundays, and filled in, signed and returned by a specified date.

The Session counts the votes cast for each person, and in deciding which of these are to be declared elected it must follow the order of the voters’ preference, first satisfying itself that each of the persons indicated by this choice:

1. is qualified under the terms of Rule 3:17;
   
2. is qualified by godly character and appropriate gifts of leadership;
   
3. has a firm grasp of Gospel truth and a working knowledge of the Scriptures;
   
4. has an understanding of and commitment to the principles of Presbyterian government;
   
5. has received the number of votes Session considers sufficient.

After the election of new elders the Session:

1. by formal motion declares elected those with whom it is satisfied (see rule 3:22), up to a number not exceeding the number required (see rule 3:15);
2. makes public announcement of the names of the elders-elect arranged in alphabetical order;
3. proceeds to arrange for their ordination and induction or induction only (see rules 3:24-26).