Elrond of the White Council — ruling 1

After the votes are revealed, starting with the player whose turn it is and proceeding in turn order, each player who voted fellowship chooses a creature they control for each of their fellowship votes. Then the controller of Elrond of the White Council's ability gains control of those creatures and they gain the listed ability. Finally, that player puts a +1/+1 counter on each creature they control for each aid vote.

Elrond of the White Council — ruling 2

If you have multiple votes, you can vote for fellowship multiple times. If you do, you can choose the same creature each time.

Elrond of the White Council — ruling 3

If you control Elrond of the Secret Council's ability, it is usually best to vote for aid. Gaining control of a creature you already control is only occasionally helpful.

Elrond of the White Council — ruling 4

To secretly vote, each player writes down their chosen option without showing it to anyone else. Each player then keeps their vote secret until all players simultaneously reveal their votes.

Elrond of the White Council — ruling 5

Before secret votes are revealed, players may announce how they intend to vote, but they can't reveal what they actually wrote down until all votes are simultaneously revealed. Players can lie about how they intend to vote before the votes are revealed.

Elrond of the White Council — ruling 6

Abilities that trigger "whenever players finish voting" trigger once all players have voted or once all secret votes are revealed, but they won't go on the stack until the current spell or ability finishes resolving.

Elrond of the White Council — ruling 7

Each player must vote for one of the available options. They can't abstain.

Elrond of the White Council — ruling 8

No player votes until the spell or ability resolves. Any responses to that spell or ability must be made without knowing the outcome of the vote.

Elrond of the White Council : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Elrond of the White Council is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.

Official card text

Secret council — When Elrond enters, each player secretly votes for fellowship or aid, then those votes are revealed. For each fellowship vote, the voter chooses a creature they control. You gain control of each creature chosen this way, and they gain "This creature can't attack its owner." Then for each aid vote, put a +1/+1 counter on each creature you control.

How it works : Elrond of the White Council

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
After the votes are revealed, starting with the player whose turn it is and proceeding in turn order, each player who voted fellowship chooses a creature they control for each of their fellowship votes. Then the controller of Elrond of the White Council's ability gains control of those creatures and they gain the listed ability. Finally, that player puts a +1/+1 counter on each creature they control for each aid vote.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If you have multiple votes, you can vote for fellowship multiple times. If you do, you can choose the same creature each time.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If you control Elrond of the Secret Council's ability, it is usually best to vote for aid. Gaining control of a creature you already control is only occasionally helpful.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
To secretly vote, each player writes down their chosen option without showing it to anyone else. Each player then keeps their vote secret until all players simultaneously reveal their votes.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Before secret votes are revealed, players may announce how they intend to vote, but they can't reveal what they actually wrote down until all votes are simultaneously revealed. Players can lie about how they intend to vote before the votes are revealed.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Abilities that trigger "whenever players finish voting" trigger once all players have voted or once all secret votes are revealed, but they won't go on the stack until the current spell or ability finishes resolving.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Each player must vote for one of the available options. They can't abstain.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#8June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
No player votes until the spell or ability resolves. Any responses to that spell or ability must be made without knowing the outcome of the vote.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#9June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
The phrase "the vote is tied" refers only to when there is more than one choice that received the most votes. For example, if a 5-player vote from among three different choices ends 3 votes to 1 vote to 1 vote, the vote isn't tied.
No other card is named in this ruling.