1. Every form of voting by proxy is excluded, and only the electors present may cast a vote.
2. Every election is carried out by way of a ballot by secret votes written on voting papers and, indeed, written by the electors themselves. Our legislation excludes election by compromise.1
3. For a vote to be valid, it is required that it be free, secret, certain, determined, and absolute. (See CCL 172, § 1.) 
4. According to our law, no one may validly vote for
   himself.

1. An elector, who knows for certain that he has the right to elect and that convocation has taken place is obliged to attend the election even if he was not summoned.
2. Doubtful electors, even coming of their own accord, must be admitted to the election, but under protest.

1. Since the right to elect is principally for the public good of the Order, all electors are obliged to obey the convocation.
2. He who, without a just cause approved by the major superior, abstains from voting in an election of superiors is deprived of a vote in any election whatever for a full year, counting from the date of the aforesaid abstention.

1. For every election, all voters must be convoked by him who has the right to preside over the election. In the convocation itself, the time and place for holding the election shall be indicated. Failure to convoke does not impede an election, if those who were overlooked are present in any case, provided CCL 166 § 3, is observed.
2. An election shall be held within the time prescribed for each office, and when that time has elapsed without having being availed of, the right of election is lost and it is for the competent superior to see to the filling of the vacancy.

1. For a person to have passive voice, he must already have active voice, unless another arrangement has been made.
2. When it is a question of the election of superiors, in order for one to be elected or postulated, it is also required:
   1. that he be a priest;
   2. that he be solemnly professed for three years;
   3. that he have the Order’s approval for hearing confessions.

1. No one may grant voting rights in an election to any brother who according to our laws does not belong to the elective chapter or who lacks active voice.
2. During the two months before an election, affiliations, assignments, or the conferring of any offices which of their nature give or take away the right to vote in any chapter shall not be easily made.

To have active voice one must be solemnly professed and must meet the requirements of common law.

In every election, only those who have active voice in the Order and belong to the elective chapter may cast a vote.

It is the duty of the procurator general to transact affairs with the Holy See, according to the faculties granted him by the Master of the Order.

1. Other officials of the general curia are: the procurator general, the postulator general of causes of beatification and canonization, the secretary general of the Order, the bursar of the Order, the archivist, and the general promoters. Some experts and co-workers for the Master of the Order and the curia may also be present.
   Some of these officials and experts may be chosen from among the socii of the Master of the Order.
2. They are appointed by the Master of the Order, after consulting his council, and remain in office for six years; they may be appointed again for another six years, always leaving the new Master free to replace the brothers belonging to the general curia. 
3. The Holy See shall be notified of the appointment of the procurator and postulator general.