A very relevant and timely example…
Voting on “AIP-239: Working Group Guidelines & The Governance Working Group Charter” is currently “In Favor” with only 16% of the votes actually in favor.
240 voters so far, which is about half what an AIP normally gets.
Here’s the kicker: a full 36% of In Favor votes are by a single Steward and co-author who stands to gain considerably if it passes ($9k / mo for 2 years +++) since statistically incumbents win re-election a large amount of the time.
There are probably others in similar position that have also voted in favor. I haven’t checked.
No suggestion here that person doesn’t deserve re-election, if we get there - I’d be inclined to vote for that person as of today - and choosing to recuse or not is their own business.
The point here is that once a large group of people is making that much $APE they can individually or collectively swing whatever vote they want.
Even as the vote stands now that may be exactly what’s happening, as without just that one Steward-voter the proposal would pass today with only 8% of the total vote: 8% In Favor vs. 5% Against.
Not a good look, to say the least.