The balloting procedure in Freemasonry has a long tradition
and far-reaching consequences.

"Remember, white balls elect and black cubes reject. Be careful how you vote."

How many times have we heard the Master admonish us before the line forms to cast our vote on a new petitioner for the rights and privileges of being a Freemason?

How may times have we given thought to the procedure of the ballot box, particularly its long tradition and far-reaching consequences?

Let's take the example of a Lodge in a small town, though the principles surrounding Masonic balloting relate to any Lodge, small or large. In our typical town, everyone knows everybody, and first names are the order of the day. One of the best-known citizens is Jim, a butcher, who is affectionately known as "Big Jim" due to his size and brawn gained from handling sides of beef. The owner of another butcher shop, about three blocks away from Jim's establishment, is Bert.

Jim is a member of the local Blue Lodge. He attends all the meetings he can and is content to sit on the sidelines watching his Brothers do the work. Occasionally, he will take part. Lodge has been opened and the members are all in their seats. The Secretary has finished reading the minutes, and the Master has called for applications. The Secretary announces there is an application and proceeds to read it. "Hey!" one of a group of three sitting in the north, says. "Did you hear that? Didn't he say Bert? That's Jim's competitor down the street!"

All heads in the room automatically turn to Jim who is sitting on the south side of the Lodge Room. Jim doesn't look up. Everybody knows of the competition between the two men, how each tries to outdo the other to get more business. What would the feeling be in the Lodge with the two most competitive businessmen in town as members of the same Lodge?

The Master announces the petition is received, and a committee is appointed to visit with Bert. The members know the petition will come up next meeting for vote. Would Jim be present at the next meeting? Some of the members not present tonight would no doubt hear of the petition and be present at the next meeting.

At the next Stated Meeting, the Lodge is opened, and the minutes of the last meeting are read. Upon approval of the minutes, the Master announces the committee has made a full and favorable report. After the usual admonishment by the Master, the members line up and cast their ballots. Everything is quiet as the Senior Deacon stands to the north of the altar, after the inspection by the Junior and Senior Wardens.

Jim is sitting quietly in his normal seat in the South. All eyes seem riveted on, first, the Junior Warden and, second, the Senior Warden as the members hear the words "fairin the South" and "clear in the West." Suddenly, Jim is ten feet tall. There is no black cube in the box! Obviously, he cast a white ball, as did every other member present, for his competitor in business. Jim was now truly a big man in more than physical size in the eyes of his Lodge Brothers. This, indeed, is Masonry in action!

In due time, Bert received his first, then Second, then Third Degrees. Jim had asked to be his coach and prepare him for his proficiency in each Degree. After each session of questions and answers, they would just sit back and talk. One night, Bert asked, "Jim, you and I are rivals in business. Why didn't you blackball me when my application was voted on?"

Jim said, "Bert, that is not what Masonry is all about. You are just as good a man as I am, maybe better. Masonry looks at the good in men. It ignores the trivialities and differences of opinion and station. We don't exclude a man from becoming a Mason just because we don't like the way he dresses or disagrees with us on certain matters."

In the past the ballot box in the Blue Lodge has been misused on occasion largely due to ignorance on the part of the members.* The petition for membership is first read in Lodge to familiarize the members that a man is seeking to join the Masonic Fraternity. If any member knows of any valid reason why he should not be admitted, he must, in some Grand Lodges, seek out the Master and make that reason known. The Master will discuss the matter with the objector and learn all the details. If necessary, he will ask for counsel with Past Masters or other knowledgeable Brethren. He cannot accept hearsay or other than firsthand knowledge of information which would exclude the petitioner from becoming a Mason. If, after due deliberation, he deems the man unworthy, the Master will withdraw the application and have the Secretary notify the applicant of the action taken.

A simple statement at the next Stated Meeting that the application was withdrawn will suffice. Explanations can be made to any inquirers in private. If a member was not present at the reading of the petition, but is sitting in Lodge when the balloting is about to take place, if he has a valid objection to the petitioner, he should approach the Master and ask that a recess be declared at which time he will inform the Master of his knowledge. After the Lodge is recalled to labor, the Master will announce that the petition has been withdrawn for further investigation. An investigation will be made before the petition is again submitted or withdrawn.

All things being equal, the black cube will never be used in the Masonic balloting procedure. However, in order to prevent a possible error, it remains as a safeguard to protect the Fraternity.

*The procedure described in the following paragraphs may vary with Grand Lodges, but whether the Master takes the action or the Lodge membership, the principle is the same.

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Don F. Nisbet was a Past Master of Composite Lodge No. 595, the Scottish Rite Bodies, and Al Malaikah Shrine Center-all in Los Angeles, California. He was the recipient of the Hiram Award of the Grand Lodge of California and a retired Major, U.S. Army. Ill\ Nisbet passed away December 25, 1999. This article is printed to honor him and his lifelong dedication to Freemasonry and the Scottish Rite.