In Kentucky we do not have this option. The Master can not ask any brother how he voted. Furthermore, no Mason is allowed to tell anyone how he voted.
Sounds like a perfect system.In Minnesota, it is considered un-Masonic conduct to reveal how you voted. The Master will also call for a re-vote if there is only one black ball, in order to make certain that it wasn't dropped by accident. A second ballot containing a black ball, or multiple black balls on a first ballot, and the vote is over and CANNOT be discussed any further.
Sounds like a perfect system.
This sounds good also. I have no problem with a second ballot to make sure that the black cube was not accidentally used or a second ballot at the next meeting for the person that voted no to reconsider. But I do not agree with a Master of a lodge requiring someone to justify their ballot so that then the Master can decide whether he will let the vote count or not.I rather like a detail variation used in Illinois - When there is a cube in the first ballot the Master must declare a second ballot to be sure. The difference is he gets to chose between doing it immediately in the same meeting or waiting until the next Stated meeting and doing it then. It can give extra time for level heads to prevail.
We have a couple of ballot boxes in our lodge (over the years we've gotten the "stuff" from Lodges that we absorbed when they went defunct.) One has white balls and black cubes, but the other has white and black balls. They feel exactly the same.After reading up on this thread some more I'm genuinely curious how many accidental 'no's are really cast each year. One is black and square, the other is a white ball and we're reminded which is which before we cast our votes, each time. We could argue that it's in favor of the elderly brothers but it's been my experience that they take their votes pretty seriously.
There seem to be a lot of precautions against it in various jurisdictions, I won't be surprised when they make it like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.
After reading up on this thread some more I'm genuinely curious how many accidental 'no's are really cast each year.
I am a new MM and have not cast a ballot yet. But when I do if I do not know anything about the candidate then I will have to rely on the information supplied by the investigation committee. If I know the candidate I would consider my opinion of his character and whether or not he may disrupt the harmony of the lodge.Greetings dear brothers!
Interesting topic.
For me is always hard to take such a decision, which ball throw, black or white, always have to make a choice.
What for you is becoming a major criterion in the voting?
I don't like the three-cube rule, because if you had two brothers drop cubes for valid reasons but the petitioner approved anyway, you could lose two brothers from the lodge to gain one new one.
Agreed!I don't like the three-cube rule, because if you had two brothers drop cubes for valid reasons but the petitioner approved anyway, you could lose two brothers from the lodge to gain one new one.
I can agree with this most of the time. However, if a brother knows something about the candidate that is very private or embarrassing I can see why he would not go to the WM before balloting.Our District Inspector made a comment at the Officers Association meeting recently that bears consideration; "The Master of the Lodge should never be surprised by a black ball." Any objection to a Candidate should make it to the East long before the ballot takes place.
I agree that bigger is not necessarily better, but I doubt the 3 ball vs 1 ball is an attempt to grow the fraternity. If the investigation committee is doing even half- assed job, even one black ball should be so rare as to have little if any impact on overall numbers.I agree. Unfortunately, overall growth is more visible than local activity at an administrative level. While a few members might go inactive or transfer membership elsewhere over something like that, we still show growth and that's where the focus is. Why bigger is better I don't know.