Friends, who is good at math?
What is the probability that, given 144 pizza options, 5 users from one local section vote for 5 identical pizzas, placing votes in the same order?
The probability is high and I will explain how it can happen. The first vote can come from a particular member of a local board who have earned the respect and trust of other local board members, others coming to vote, sees his/her choice and decide to vote in same direction. It happens even in circular politics in which case people simply vote for a candidate because a certain individual supports the candidate. I don't think this breaks any rule hence, taking any action because some people voted the same numbers and in the same order may not seem fair to the competition entirely. Like some people already suggested, these are areas of improvement that can be discussed after a winner have been announced based on the rules set for this year's contest. What is the probability that, given 144 pizza options, 5 users from one local section vote for 5 identical pizzas, placing votes in the same order?
Another hypothesis.. they are paid votes : The message they get in some private messaging looks like: vote for pizzas < #x #y #z #T #NT > to get the reward! So there is copy-pasting
Let us just allow Icopress to take his decisions since he is the only one with the power to shift the goal post.
The OP has the discretion to ignore any votes (including abusers, recently awakened account votes, and inactive posters ... but not limited to this).]