Transferring coin is same as sending coin. It sends coin to other address. Votes is for voting delegates as semux is a Delegated Proof of Shares (DPOS). When you give votes to a delegate, you still own the coins (but you can not spend it until you unvote the delegate). If the delegate you voted gets enough votes, it will become a validator and can create new block to get reward. The delegate may share the reward with you.