Editing Freemasonry (section)

==== Formal application and balloting ====
[[File:Sqaure-and-compass.png|thumb|right|Variant of the Sqaure and Compasses with the Masonic [[Three dots (Freemasonry)|tripunctual abbreviation]] in it's center]]
If both the candidate and the lodge wish to proceed after these preliminary steps, a formal application may be proposed and seconded or announced in open Lodge and a more or less formal interview usually follows. If the candidate wishes to proceed, references are taken up during a period of notice so that members may enquire into the candidate's suitability and discuss it.<ref name="MLoE">[http://www.masonic-lodge-of-education.com/become-a-free-mason.html "How to become a Freemason"], ''Masonic Lodge of Education'', retrieved 20 November 2013</ref>

In many Jurisdictions a structured investigation is conducted by three members who do not personally know the candidate. These investigators meet individually with the applicant in different contexts with predetermined questions (or field of questions), examining their moral qualities, philosophical views, and ability to integrate into collective work or their Past, Present/future and Motivations. Each investigator then reports back to the lodge with their impressions, often expressing a favourable or unfavourable opinion. These preliminary interviews help both the lodge members and the candidate better understand each other before proceeding to the next stage.<ref>Pétillot, Sylvain. ''L'Enquête dans les Loges'', Dervy, 2018.</ref>

Following these investigations, some individual Lodges, Rites or Jurisdictions can or must implement a significant procedural step known as passing under the blindfold or sometimes the Low Door.<ref>https://www.en06.fr/info/wa_files/les%20demarches%20pour%20devenir%20franc.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=May 2025}}</ref><ref>http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/zeldis26.html {{Bare URL inline|date=May 2025}}</ref> This is not part of the initiation ceremony itself but rather a formal presentation of the candidate to the assembled lodge prior to any vote on admission. The candidate, blindfolded, is introduced to the lodge and must answer questions posed by the members. While previous investigators have reported the candidate's views, this direct questioning allows members to hear directly from the candidate and clarifies any uncertainties that may have arisen during the investigation process. Being blindfolded serves two purposes: it maintains the candidate's inability to identify lodge members if not admitted, and it allows the candidate to focus on the questions without being distracted by unfamiliar surroundings. It is only after this procedure that the lodge votes on the candidate's admission.<ref>Langlet, Philippe. ''Les Sources chrétiennes de la légende d'Hiram'', Dervy, 2009.</ref><ref>Noël, Pierre. ''Guide pratique du Franc-maçon'', Editions Maçonniques de France, 2012.</ref>

Finally, the Lodge takes an officially secret ballot on each application before a candidate is either initiated or rejected.<ref name="MLoE"/> This ballot, traditionally using white balls (favourable) and black balls (unfavourable), gave rise to the expression "blackballed" to describe rejection. The exact number of adverse ballots ("blackballs") required to reject a candidate varies between Masonic jurisdictions.<ref>Morris, S. Brent. ''The Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry'', Alpha Books, 2006.</ref>