====== Voting Guidelines ======

===== Requirements =====

=== You must: ===

  * comply with the DPChallenge Terms of Use.
  * submit any disqualification requests as soon as you suspect a rule violation, but no later than seven days after the challenge results are posted.
  * vote on at least 20% of the entries in a challenge. If you vote on less than 20%, your votes will not count.
  * rate entries on a scale of 1 to 10. A score of 1 is a "bad" photo, and a score of 10 is a "good" photo

=== You should: ===

  * recommend an entry be reviewed for disqualification if you feel it violates any rule. To do this, use the "here if you suspect a rules violation". link on the image's voting page, and give your reason in the space provided. After submitting your requests, vote assuming the entry did not violate any rules.
  * read [[http://www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=60302|The DQ Process - A Voter's Guide]].
  * keep an open mind to other interpretations of the challenge topic.
  * consider the challenge topic when voting, and adjust your score accordingly.
  * vote on as many entries as practical in any challenge in which you vote.
  * comment on entries using the comment box under each photograph.
  * offer constructive criticism with any vote of 3 or lower.

=== You may: ===

  * adjust the scores of entries you have already rated directly from the main voting page.
  * offer criticism, praise, or other constructive comments.

=== You may not: ===

  * give an entry a lower score because you believe it violates the Challenge Rules.
  * recommend an entry for disqualification for not meeting the challenge.
  * vote on an entry based on its server-generated thumbnail.
  * vote on your own entry.
  * vote in a manner that suggests an intent to disrupt the voting system.
  * offer or cast biased votes for any other user.
  * offer slanderous, rude, profane or inflammatory comments.
  * abuse the anonymous commenting feature in any way.
  * discuss any entry in the forums while voting is in progress.
  * hold more than one DPChallenge account.
  * vote from another user's DPChallenge account.
  * attempt to alter the point totals for any entry in any way.

=== We will: ===

  * display all entries in a random order for each voter.
  * group entries you have rated with other entries of the same rating on your main voting page.
  * declare the entry with the highest average score at the end of voting to be the winner.
  * recognize the first, second and third place entries on the front page.
  * use automatic and manual methods to actively monitor voting patterns for abuse.
  * ignore the votes of any user we believe is voting disruptively.
  * disqualify challenge entries from, suspend or ban anyone who abuses the voting system in any way.