1.7.25 Procedure for balloting

Every subordinate lodge upon taking a ballot (except in the election of officers), shall proceed in the following manner:
Each member of the lodge shall be given two ballots, one of which shall be white and the other black. The Senior Deacon (or such other officer or member of the lodge as the Master shall designate), shall then proceed to collect in a suitable box, one of said ballots from each member present, excepting only such members as may be excused by the Master from voting. In case of a ballot for the degrees or for membership, one black ballot shall reject the petitioner. If, however, but one black ballot appear, the Master may, upon the supposition of a mistake, immediately order a second ballot, which shall be final.
See Decision Nos. 8, 36, 74, 81, 82.

Related Decisions

No. 08. Disclosure Of Vote

Decision: In case of a rejection, no brother can be permitted to state how he voted, unless he cast a rejecting vote, in which case he may of his own accord state the fact, but cannot be compelled to do so.

Constitution, Article VII, Sec. 1.7.25. November 13, 1867. (Doyle, GM)

No. 36. Withdrawal Of Ballots

Decision: In a case where a ballot, upon the petition for the degrees has been taken, and the box ordered to be presented for examination, a brother stated that though mistake he had deposited a black ballot, and requested the Worshipful Master's permission to withdraw the same.

We decided that although it was proper for the brother to make known to the lodge his mistake, yet he could not be allowed to withdraw his ballot; neither could the Master declare the ballot clear, but that the remaining ballots must be collected in the same manner as usual in case of a rejection, and another ballot taken.

Constitution, Article VII, Sec. 1.7.25. November 17, 1884. (Klapp, GM)

No. 74. Ballot Versus Vote

Decision: That inasmuch as a vote taken in regard to the reinstatement of a member who had been dropped for nonpayment of dues did not comply with Section 1.7.25 of Article VII of the Constitution, which obliges every member present to vote unless excused by the Master, I ruled that the vote was null and void and gave instructions that the vote be so declared and a new ballot taken.

That inasmuch as there appears to be an inconsistency between the wording of "ballot" as it is written in Section 1.7.25 of Article VII of the Grand Lodge Constitution, and the wording of "vote" as it is written in Section 1.7.25 of Article VII of the Grand Lodge Constitution, and the wording of "vote" as it is written in Section 1.7.27 of Article VII of said Constitution, I ruled that the wording "ballot" and "vote" were of the same meaning.

Constitution, Article VII, Sec. 1.7.25. 1.7.27. May 19, 1952. (Ruerat, GM)

No. 81. Written Evidence Of Balloting Error

Decision: I ruled that in the case of written evidence of an error having been made in balloting, within thirty days following the meeting at which the error was made, the Worshipful Master could order a new ballot without the usual six-month waiting period.

Constitution, Article VII, Sec. 1.7.25. May 1, 1962. (Allen, GM)

No. 82. Rescinded

See Appendix B.