The reason for the procedure being so stringent is because the vote is supposed to be completely anonymous.

The voter's credentials are on the envelope, not on the ballot. Once the credentials are verified, the ballot is removed from the envelope and stored separately to be counted later. If someone doesn't follow the instructions, then the Election Chair volunteer would have to open the envelope and would see who that person voted for. "I can't believe you voted for THAT guy!"

With a club as small as ours, I could see someone not casting a controversial vote if they thought it wouldn't be kept secret.

For better or worse, that's how it's done. It doesn't mean it can't change, but those are the rules as it stands now.