Marius used the tribunate to make Rome's written ballot more private in practice. Wealthy men had been able to accompany voters toward the ballot and observe or pressure them, so his law narrowed the passage to force voters through individually. That physical control of access resembles modern rules that keep political campaigning away from polling stations. The measure also shows Marius acting independently of the patron who had supported his election. His later veto of an expanded grain distribution demonstrates that this independence did not amount to automatic support for every popular proposal. The grain dole's importance also connected Roman domestic politics to reliable imports from producing regions such as Egypt and Gaul.
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Marius protects the Roman secret ballot
As tribune of the plebs, Marius narrowed the approach to the ballot so wealthy patrons could not walk beside voters and inspect or pressure their choices.