As
I wrote at the previous contest:
the problem with Voting like this: it's more of a
Recognition award than an award for actual accomplishments.
Concerned people actively donates the merits for those who vote in their favor
That's not very
Switzerland to do, but it's not against the rules either.
I'd say it's almost fair even though not 100%, you can't hope such competition will 100% fair since no one is wrong and no one is right.
Exactly this

An Award like this can't be completely fair, especially when prizes are $650 per winner.
But campaigning for yourself is allowed:
Any user has the right to campaign for or against other candidates in a separate
thread specially created for this.