From the Wisconsin Masonic Code:
71.10: Inspection of the Ballot Box.
Upon completion of a ballot, the Master shall order the ballot closed and presented in the South, West and East for inspection. If clear, the Master shall ascertain from the Wardens the result of their inspection. If the report is clear, the Master shall declare the result.
71.11: If Ballot is Not Clear.
If the ballot is not clear, the Master shall not ask the Wardens to declare the color of the ballot nor shall the Master declare the color of the ballot himself. The Master shall order the destruction of the ballot and he shall order an immediate reballot to be taken without remarks or discussion on the part of the members.
71.12: Reballot Procedures.
Any reballot shall be conducted as in section 71.10. If the reballot is clear, the Master shall declare the result. If the ballot is not clear, the Master shall, after ascertaining from the Wardens the result of their inspection, declare that the ballot is not clear. The Master shall then order the ballot destroyed.
71.13: Master’s Authority if Reballot Not Clear.
If the reballot is not clear, the Master shall declare that accountability for the casting of the negative vote shall be required in order for the applicant to be rejected. The Master shall then state that any member who has cast a negative vote shall within 48 hours identify himself to the Master and inform the Master that such member has cast a negative vote and state the reasons therefore.
(1) If the Master shall be timely informed by a member that he has cast a negative vote and the Masonic reasons therefor, the Master shall refer said reasons to the Grand Master in writing. Upon receipt the Grand Master will determine the legality of the reasons in accordance with the Masonic Code and respond to the Master in writing of their decision. The Master shall, at the next stated communication of the Lodge declare that he has received accounting from a member on the negative vote cast against the applicant and of the decision of the Grand Master. Neither the identity of the member casting the negative vote nor the reasons therefore shall be disclosed. The Master shall then declare that the petition has been either accepted or rejected based on the decision of the Grand Master.
(2) If the Master shall not have been timely informed by any member that the member has cast a negative vote and the reasons therefor, the Master shall at the next stated communication of the Lodge, declare that the petition has been accepted.
