Recent drop in voting... what's up with that? =)
Ok, hopefully I'm not out of line here when bringing up this matter, but it seems to me there has been a noticeable drop in voting when participating lately. This is by noooo means personal, I'm bringing it to everyone's attention on the behalf of.... well.... everyone. 
If you participate in a thread you enjoy, see something cool, see something you agree with, or something intriguing (I think I misspelled that), vote for it. That's the reason the little button is there. By voting for the topic OR answer, you let the author know you support what ever they have published or atleast find it intriguing (there I go again... maybe). Then second, you as well let the public know that this is something useful or atleast worth reading. 
An example of this unfortunate drop was displayed today and provoked me (amongst others) to bring this subject to light. Take for instance "La Palabra del Día: Cultivar" at this moment has 22 answers and only 11 votes! 
I know for sure, this and the picture of the day thread are two of the highest volume threads... and that's it, only half the people enjoy it? That's what those votes tell me. 
Despite what most mistake the voting system for, it's not really a "bragging rights" system (ok, well maybe 50/50), but it's more for promoting the good stuff. I don't know if anyone looks at this at the top of the answers section, but I notice it a lot and it reads as follows... 
"The answers section is a great way to become part of the SpanishDict learning community. Ask and answer questions, vote on good questions and answers, and earn Reputation! Your vote helps the best content rise to the top. (View Rules and Guidelines)."
That last part, says it all, your vote counts and helps so cast 'em! 
34 Answers
I kind off support you here huero but, weren't you the number one fighter against the "reputation system"?, how come now you care about voting.
Anyway, you're right, sometimes people don't vote or even worse, they get biased (I don't know how to use that word) in their votes and only pick their friend's answers to increase their reputation stream. (too many their's right?).
Share the love! Vote.
I vote to show support and appreciate it when others do, too.
It is part of that amazing circle of positive encouragement for which this site is known.
I have some different thoughts on voting. I don't usually vote for the people who start the WOD, POD, or EWOD. Not because I don't appreciate the threads. I guess I think they get more votes than than they can get credit for (200 pts/24hr). I have thought that posting to the tread shows support and keeps it going. I also don't usually vote for Heidi because she has said she doesn't really need votes and again, the too many points for the votes to count thing. I do vote for everyone who posts to the drop one/Take one thread, to keep it going. On other threads, I vote for posts that strike me, pictures I like, and comments that make me laugh. I guess I'll think about whether I should be voting more.
I have stopped posting quite a number of threads because of this very happenstance.
I do not need the votes , but I do need the feedback which comes with a vote
and the occasional comment . Everyone needs encouragement and a kind word of
advice from our pears , I am no exception , if I do not get acknowledged then I
quickly wither on the vine . Have a look at the posts of D J Huero, watch how quickly
they become a written chat show between members , some of the comments
are sheer gems , they are clever and witty . All of our posts could easily become
the same if only members remember to vote , comment and offer constructive
advice . Please try amigos , this is a tremendous site , use it well and it will reward you
with not only a beautiful language but some of the greatest people in el mundo.
Sometimes people just need to know this is an important encouragement to learners. It lets others know that they agree with your post or think it is relevant. This is an older post but always needs to be revisited as new users learn about votes, voting, and how to do this.
There are many users that never or rarely vote anybody else up. But they are getting 'voted up' all the time. Encouragement should be spread around. It costs nothing to vote, just a little click.
I believe the reason voting has dropped is because many regular members are on vacation or taking a short break. Many members are school teachers and go on vacation as soon as the school year is over. Others schedule their vacation or trips in early June. Some members choose to enjoy outdoor activities with their families during the times of good weather. Some members (especially agricultural, landscaping, and construction workers) have jobs that do not allow them a lot of free time during the summer.
In short, I believe it is a seasonal thing. I believe overall site traffic has dropped, so voting has followed.
You got my vote 
I've said it before and I'll say it again....Voting costs nothing...it's free, so do it and do it often!
My point of view is that I tend to vote up answers that I think are particularly good, or particularly amusing, but if I go to, for example, Word of the day and see a person who has left an answer but not received a vote, I'll give them one.
Same goes for asking a question, I'll always give a vote for that, up to a point - if the OP (original poster) has 5 votes or more I mostly don't bother, because I know they'll already have a badge for the 5 votes. I think it's cool for them to get a badge at least for the effort!
I forget to pick a Best Answer most of the time, is that bad?
Back when I was new to SD I used to vote, but then someone unjustly flagged one of my replies. It was removed and points removes in my stats. It kind of left a bad taste for me. Since then I have no longer cared about points voting or popularity.
I don't need votes or points to feel good about myself and I sure as hell don't need them to feel bad about myself.
So I could care less about getting votes or giving votes. It also doesn't matter to me about making posts to keep the site active.
If people have something useful to post, they can post it. If not what is the point in posting to get votes?
I like the site and maybe the voting thing is fun for some. Whatever floats your boat.
To me, favoritism and attention seeking are a little childish.
I will take a guess at what may be happening...
Perhaps the people who vote regularly are not the same people who post to these threads. Maybe those regular "voters" are all at the beach, getting some sun.
There may be someone interested in studying this. Some psychology student may earn an advanced degree with this
I agree with Katy: This is an older post but always needs to be revisited as new users learn about votes, voting, and how to do this.
Vote when you play a game (both for the creator of the game and your fellow players if you like their answer)
Vote when you see a newbie come on and bravely ask a question (we have all been there!)
Vote when a post makes you laugh, think, learn, wonder, etc.
Vote for yourself! (Oh, right, can't do that...darn.)
And the number one reason to vote: Votes are free and make others happy!
I have had several members ask about this, so I am bumping it up.
I think nice entries should be voted.
Creo que las entradas agradables deberían ser votadas.
Tienes razón Dj. Yo disfruto de esta página web pero suelo participar solo en algunos hilos que simplemente me gustan (incluyendo tus hilos por supuesto 
) Y siempre voto a moderadores de esos hilos. Tu crees por qué ya tienes 20k en tu perfil?!?!?! 
