The Local Assembly is elected each year by secret ballot. All Bahá’ís over the age of 21 are eligible to vote, and are asked to do so in a spirit of prayer. Each participant chooses the nine adult individuals from the community that he or she feels will be best able to serve in this capacity. There is no prepared ballot—or any other system of nominations—and the entire process is free of any trace of electioneering, canvassing, or propaganda.