200 people at the last AR, we'll assume the same will go this year
47 people voted in the poll that has just been closed
10 of those voted for 6 or more dates out of 8, which means whichever one was chosen there's a greater than 75% chance they could make it.
It's amazing what a copy & paste job into Excel can do in a few minutes innit!
37/200 = 18.5%
Which means about 80% of the people planning to attend the AR haven't voted, or they could make any date.
Probably because like me they have no idea what they are doing next July or August, and they are just waiting to see what date wins. Once they know what date wins they will decide nearer the time whether they can go.
All the poll is doing, is allowing a select few who can plan that far ahead, choose the date on behalf of the majority.
If you did choose a date out of a hat and say "that's it!", a few of those 18% may complain, but there would still certainly be less of those 18% unable to attend, than amongst the 80% odd who couldn't plan that far ahead, due to other commitments such as childcare, work, or simply because they haven't booked their 2011 summer holiday yet.
The poll is hyper-democratic red tape IMO.
Just my 2p. Yes, I know I'm sad.
