If you are researching the physical paper used during the ritual, the ballots are rectangular slips with the Latin phrase ("I elect as Supreme Pontiff") printed on the top half. These are folded in half, placed in a chalice, and eventually burned with chemicals to produce the famous white or black smoke. Media and Fiction
The locked doors create what political scientists call a "closed loop decision environment." Without external media, the cardinals cannot be swayed by public opinion or threats from their home governments. However, this environment is highly pressurized. Meals are tense. Conversations in the corridors (whispered in Latin or Italian) become the currency of the realm. The Conclave
Derived from the Latin cum clave ("with a key"), the conclave system was formalized in 1274 by Pope Gregory X to prevent the multi-year deadlocks that had previously plagued the Church. Decoding the Vatican: Key Terms in the Papal Transition If you are researching the physical paper used