2016 Wesleyan Discipline: 1100:1-5

(1) The district board of administration shall first determine the total number of lay delegates required for the next session of the district conference (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1086) which shall initially equal the number of ministerial voting members eligible at the time such determination is made (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1083:1-5). The district board of administration may adjust this number of lay delegates downward to be not fewer than the highest number of ministerial voting members who answered the roll call in each of the last three district conferences.

(2) One lay delegate shall first be allotted to each pastoral charge (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:315:7; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:528:3; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:317; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:503), including any developing churches deemed qualified (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:510:5; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1086).

(3) One shall be subtracted from the number needed to balance the ministerial vote for each lay member of the district board of administration.

(4) The number of lay delegates yet required for the next district conference shall be allotted to the pastoral charges according to a ratio of representation. In fixing the ratio of representation, the members as listed on the statistical report of the preceding district conference, shall be considered. The district board of administration shall establish the ratio of representation and apply it in such a manner as to assign the exact number of delegates to be elected by each pastoral charge.

(5) The district shall promptly notify each pastor of the exact number of lay delegates allotted to that particular pastoral charge.