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Concerning Balloting

In Anderson’s Consti tuti ons and in Mackey’s
Jurisprudence, we fi nd that the “immemorial usages”
concerning balloti ng and electi ng that it be independent
and secret. The secrecy of the ballot is as essenti al to its
perfecti on as its unanimity and its independence.

Frequently we hear those who would propose that we
change our procedures to match that of politi cal parti es
or other organizati ons in the name of transparency but
doing so would throw out secrecy and would be un-
masonic.

On legislati on M.W.P.G.M.-Hon Dean Lindal (#5), Grand
Secretary 1982-2001 frequently stated “The only good
legislati on is legislati on that will do something for the
Mason in his Lodge that he can see and makes the Lodge
bett er.”

Proposed Legislation

Proposed legislati on has been reviewed and approved by
your Committ ee on Jurisprudence for presentati on and
that such legislati on is in proper format for presentati on
to the Cra� . Presentati on of the proposed legislati on in
the Montana Freemason Magazine is for informati onal
purposes only. Please read the preliminary Jurisprudence
Report and the Advance Proceedings for complete
detailed legislati on.

5070. Jurisprudence. The Committ ee on Jurisprudence
shall:
A. Examine and report on all:
1. Questi ons, documents and papers requiring
investi gati on; and
2. Decisions upon all points of Masonic law.
B. Review proposed resoluti ons and recommendati ons
to be considered at the next annual communicati on,
upon receipt of them from the Grand Secretary, and
recommendati ons or decisions of the Grand Master, or
standing committ ees of Grand Lodge and;
1. Prepare legislati on as may be required, together with
a brief statement of the purpose and eff ect of them on
Grand Lodge, and which will carry out the intent of the
proponents; and
2. Transmit, within 40 days of receipt of the proposed
resoluti ons and recommendati ons, and copy of them,
together with the brief statement of purpose and eff ect
of each, to the Grand Secretary;
C. Report to Grand Lodge;
1. Its recommendati ons as to the legality of decisions
and dispensati ons issued by the Grand Master; and
2. The legal eff ect of any proposed amendments; and
D. When appropriate, prepare supplementary legislati on
to proposed amendments and prepare legislati on to
accomplish recommendati ons of the Grand Master,
or standing committ ees of Grand Lodge, and report to
Grand Lodge thereon its recommendati ons.

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