Lex Gabinia tabellaria

The lex Gabinia tabellaria was a Roman law, introduced by Aulus Gabinius and enacted in 139 BC. It introduced the secret ballot for the election of magistrates in the poular assemblies. . Previously voting had been oral.

The law was part of a series of legislation referred to as the leges tabellariae, apparently passed with the intention of limiting the influence of the optimates.

Tabellae were wax covered wooden tablets used to record votes in the popular assembly. The legislation was passed with the intention of making elections fairer and reducing the the influence and intimidation applied to voters in an open vote.

Two tablets were given to each voter, inscribed A for antiquo (against) and V.R. for uti rogas (in favour).

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