The Columbus Dispatch (Columbus, OH)
![](https://www.agreatmeeting.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Blackball-Machine-1024x730.jpg)
As early as the 17th century in America, members of fraternal clubs often voted at their meetings without paper ballots. Many decisions had to be almost unanimous; just one “no” vote could defeat a project.
So, they used a blackball box instead of paper ballots. Each person was given a random number of black and white marbles. To vote no, a black marble was dropped in the box. The box had a board that covered the voter’s hand and marble so no one could see the vote. Each marble made a noise when it was dropped, so only one marble could be used. . .