[Lynx-lynx]

Paul, as an experiment perhaps the vote for the decade 1911 - 1920 could be an open poll whereby the voters are identified once the voting period has finished (the same as originally intended for all voting).

As sun surfer points out, the MR Literary Club uses open voting, it is the preferred method for the reasons he articulated. Perhaps that method could be considered as the MR convention on book votes.

It would be interesting to see if there is much change in the number of votes, although I can see that attempting to compare voting numbers per decade may be fraught irrespective of whether the vote was open or closed. (Irrespective a person who otherwise wouldn't vote because it's an open poll, can always post that they liked a particular book, or compare the book with other books etc, and still get their viewpoint across. Or remain silent altogether - it would be up to them how much they want to participate.)

Having the voting for this decade open, (and perhaps alternate decades through the century depending on a decision at the end of this vote), is one way forward for those who want avatar disclosure about a book that they'd recommend someone else to read, and those who don't want their avatar name associated with a book that they'd recommend someone else to read. Because, after all, these Best Book of the Decade threads are about recommending a 'best' book to others.

What do you think?

Anyone else want to comment?

Just as a thought, could your decision on this matter be left open for say 24-36 hours (or time to be determined) to allow people to voice their views? The voting protocols are an important part of these 'Best of' threads, and have been changed before the bulk of those folk who contributed their books throughout most of the century could respond.

Edit
Paul, are the Moderators able to see the names of the voters when the poll itself does not disclose them?