Page:Robert's Parliamentary Practice.djvu/161

Rh puts a cross at the right or the left of the name of his choice, unless he wishes to vote for another candidate. In the latter case he writes the name of his choice below the printed names, preferably crossing out the printed names.

Instead of the tellers collecting the ballots, many societies provide a stationary ballot box in which the ballots are deposited by the voters or by a teller to whom they are handed by the voters. The latter method is the better. Where this plan is adopted the polls are said to be open all the time during which members may deposit their ballots. If the society is in session during the voting, it may close the polls by a two-thirds vote after a reasonable time has been given members to prepare and to deposit their ballots. After the polls have been closed, no more ballots can be received unless the polls are reopened. This may be done by a majority vote.

When counting the ballots tellers should prepare a tally sheet by writing the title of each office to be filled, and under each title, on the left of the sheet, the names of all the nominees for that office. Space should be left for entering additional names, since votes may be cast for those not nominated. As one teller reads each ballot the other marks a vertical line to the right of the name called. The fifth line, instead of being vertical, is drawn diagonally across the preceding four lines, thus making groups of five as shown in the Tally Sheet, page 178.