Here is last year's thread in ORP on the topic:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/only-...oted-icon.html

And Randy's response within the thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/10755272-post3.html

Also, read the first post in the Election Results thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/talkb...l-results.html

Whether you like the avatar or not, it does appear to get attention drawn to the election, succeeding in increasing the vote.

I've got no horse in this race; simply pointing to past discussion of same topic.