Hi all.
The staff team has been presented with evidence that many of the current polls from TBT's 2023 Stole-iday Season contests have had their votes manipulated, in the form of both mass private messages and bribes. Users attempted to receive votes for their own entries or entries submitted by someone else. Because this could have changed the results, all four event polls have been remade, and the offending members have been dealt with privately on a case-by-case basis.
While we feel this should go without saying, we want to remind everyone that campaigning or bribery of any kind isn't allowed. These polls are meant to determine what people believe is the best entry, not as a popularity vote, who can campaign for themself/others best, who you want to receive a certain collectible, etc. We would ask that all members allow this and all future contest polls to unfold organically and refrain from engaging in any behaviors that may interfere with the natural outcome of the contest.
Please vote for your favorite entries in the new polls, which have been reshuffled and remade in the Voting Booth board.
The group of users given voter permissions has been slightly reduced. If you've been selected as a voter, you will now see this notice that will permanently appear at the top of the Voting Booth board:
You have been selected as a voter for the current event. Your help in deciding our winning entries is appreciated. Many community members work hard on their event entries, so wield your voting powers responsibly.
Before placing your votes, please read the guidelines below.
- Thoroughly and carefully look at every entry before making your decision.
- Vote for the entries that you truly believe are the best.
- Do not vote for an entry because you were asked to do so or because you're friendly with the person who submitted it.
- Campaigning for votes is not allowed. If someone has asked you to vote for a specific entry, whether it's theirs or another user's, please notify the staff by reporting the message or posting a thread in Contact the Staff.
- If your own entry is in the poll, it's okay to vote for it yourself.
- Voting is not mandatory. Feel free to skip a poll if you can't decide on the best entry.
Feel free to vote for the same entry that you voted for before if you truly feel it's the best one. The poll results have also been made private to help discourage vote manipulation and reduce anxiety related to the current placings.
Since the polls will not be closing until next Sunday, we will be distributing the final gumdrops and opening new raffles shortly. The results of these raffles will be posted with the closing ceremony along with the final results of the polls. Thank you for your patience!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!!!
