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I use the single transferable vote method. I use this calculator   to run the votes. The benefit of this vote is that it takes into account the preferences stated. It gives a different result (sometimes) to the simpler way of assigning 3 points to first preference etc... which is good as a piece that gets two votes for first place and a vote for second but no other votes would lose out to a piece that got 10 third place votes which STV would correct for.

As for entrants voting, obviously there will be a case that if you vote for others then you will reduce the percentage of votes you receive. Read the pieces and see what you think. Sometimes I will vote for entries in a contest I've entered because I genuinly think they are more deserving winners than my piece. If I think my piece is of the same standard then I tend not to vote. It's a personal choice, but it could theoretically reduce your chances (unless all the entrants do it).

Thanks,
Matt

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