Congressional Quarterly: Senator Says Secret-Ballot in Private Meeting to Determine Whether Democrats Punish Lieberman Senate Democrats will vote by secret ballot on Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman ’s fate this week, according to North Dakota Sen. Byron L. Dorgan . The caucus is due to meet Tuesday to decide whether Lieberman, a Democrat-turned-independent from Connecticut, should be punished for his aggressive support of Sen. John McCain , R-Ariz., for president. Secret ballot, eh? Well, reminding Democrats of this episode should prove amusing when they try and pass card check legislation.