Mike
February 17th, 2003, 08:51 PM
Due to recent concerns regarding the voting conflicts in the episode discussion forum, the administrators would like to make the following policy announcement.
Recently, there has been a great deal of consternation regarding the episode voting system. More specifically, concern was expressed regarding the urging of voters to take credit for their votes. Now, 3D Gladiators intentionally uses an anonymous voting system. It allows people to vote honestly without fear of retribution from their peers here on the boards. However, in the case of discussing varied thoughts on episodes, that anonymity can become problematic. Many have suggested simply disregarding episode votes that are not claimed by a forum member. This, however, violates the spirit of the anonymous vote. What, then, can be done to provide an anonymous voting environment, while still ensuring that each vote is a genuine opinion, and not simply a disruptive individual's attempt to create problems?
The current system of voting in Connecticut uses a method that might help this situation. I suspect this voting system is consistent in many states, or at least largely similar. When an individual votes, their name is crossed off of a list, and then they proceed to a voting booth to vote in privacy. In this way, their vote is accounted for without calling upon them to publicly divulge their vote. Similarly, I would suggest that we institute a system wherein people are required to at least declare that they have voted, if they do not wish to share their thoughts on an episode. They do not have to say what they voted, simply that they have, so that the number of voters that declare that they have voted and the number of total votes will match come Thursday, when the polls are officially supposed to close.
This will call upon all members, present and future, to be responsible enough to at least post briefly to declare that they have voted. No inquiries will be made as to what the vote was, should the member not choose to share their thoughts. The administrative and moderator staff will try to maintain this fairness. Naturally, at any time a member can waive the right to anonymity and share with the group what they voted.
Should the number of voters who claim to have voted and the final number of votes not tally, I will eliminate the most non-consensual votes until the numbers match. While this may short-change some people, it will ultimately lead to a more accurate (hopefully) reflection of actual public opinion on our board. I do not suggest these measures lightly and I hope that these measures to not dissuade potential new members from joining, voting, and participating in discussion. On the contrary, I hope that this will ultimately foster more communication and sharing of views on the episodes of what is truly the greatest science fiction television show of all time...at least for as long as we have it to cherish.
Recently, there has been a great deal of consternation regarding the episode voting system. More specifically, concern was expressed regarding the urging of voters to take credit for their votes. Now, 3D Gladiators intentionally uses an anonymous voting system. It allows people to vote honestly without fear of retribution from their peers here on the boards. However, in the case of discussing varied thoughts on episodes, that anonymity can become problematic. Many have suggested simply disregarding episode votes that are not claimed by a forum member. This, however, violates the spirit of the anonymous vote. What, then, can be done to provide an anonymous voting environment, while still ensuring that each vote is a genuine opinion, and not simply a disruptive individual's attempt to create problems?
The current system of voting in Connecticut uses a method that might help this situation. I suspect this voting system is consistent in many states, or at least largely similar. When an individual votes, their name is crossed off of a list, and then they proceed to a voting booth to vote in privacy. In this way, their vote is accounted for without calling upon them to publicly divulge their vote. Similarly, I would suggest that we institute a system wherein people are required to at least declare that they have voted, if they do not wish to share their thoughts on an episode. They do not have to say what they voted, simply that they have, so that the number of voters that declare that they have voted and the number of total votes will match come Thursday, when the polls are officially supposed to close.
This will call upon all members, present and future, to be responsible enough to at least post briefly to declare that they have voted. No inquiries will be made as to what the vote was, should the member not choose to share their thoughts. The administrative and moderator staff will try to maintain this fairness. Naturally, at any time a member can waive the right to anonymity and share with the group what they voted.
Should the number of voters who claim to have voted and the final number of votes not tally, I will eliminate the most non-consensual votes until the numbers match. While this may short-change some people, it will ultimately lead to a more accurate (hopefully) reflection of actual public opinion on our board. I do not suggest these measures lightly and I hope that these measures to not dissuade potential new members from joining, voting, and participating in discussion. On the contrary, I hope that this will ultimately foster more communication and sharing of views on the episodes of what is truly the greatest science fiction television show of all time...at least for as long as we have it to cherish.