This is certainly true. I believe the pool operator has the implied right to do what they feel is needed to effectively run the pool, with or without any type of poll or voting. However, being more open about it (ie, here on a well known public forum related to the topic) is a much better idea IMO.
In the end, the final decision will certainly rest with Luke-Jr, however, on how to proceed. That said, I'd be willing to bet that the outcome of the poll would have significant weight in that decision.
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In response to this line of posts:
I had considered doing a voting system like this. However, after considering the pros and cons of such a system, in the end it really just wouldn't be much better than a vote here. A vote here is open, public, permanent, and simple for users. A vote as described using signing techniques is complicated to implement, doesn't guarantee the accuracy of the vote in any case, would be run on the site owned by the pool (someone could just say it was faked with no real way to defend that), and a slew of other reasons why it just isn't necessary.
Anyway, I hope everyone is actually reading this thread and considering all of the points of all of the options before voting. I've made it clear that I fully support CPPSBAM. I believe that if you support the pool, you should get awarded accordingly, and if you don't, then you don't. Seems like a pretty straightforward and very fair process to me.
-wk
As of now: "2012-08-03 15:11:42 - EC Limit/CPPS Votes: Y/Y [CPPSBAM]: 18 (46.15%) | Y/N [SMPPS w/EC Limit]: 7 (17.95%) | N/Y [CPPSEB]: 6 (15.38%) | N/N [No Changes]: 8 (20.51%) ||| Total of 39 votes ||| Overall in favor of CPPS: 24 (61.54%) | ... of EC rewarding limited to active miners: 25 (64.10%) ||| Cast your vote @ http://goo.gl/O6A9q"