Normally I'd agree (that trolls are cheap) but between the Breitbart rabble-rousing and this being a repeat performance of what happened with the London nominations, this might be a special case. Vox Day and Larry Correira got on the ballot last year by rallying supporting votes with Sad Puppies II; they would have lost anyway but my understanding was there were also a lot of supporting memberships bought just to make sure their works were ranked under "No Award" on the ballot.
For the last couple of years the conversation has been "You can't complain if you don't vote" and an influx of progressive supporting voters got some very good writers from underrepresented demographics onto the ballot. (as well as just highlighting that a large social media following has correspondingly big effect.) The SP bloc is now doing the same thing in reverse, sadly in better lockstep. It'll be interesting to see if you're right and the American location manages to tip the balance in their favor but regardless I'm willing to bet Worldcon is going to get a massive financial boost from supporters this year.
no subject
For the last couple of years the conversation has been "You can't complain if you don't vote" and an influx of progressive supporting voters got some very good writers from underrepresented demographics onto the ballot. (as well as just highlighting that a large social media following has correspondingly big effect.) The SP bloc is now doing the same thing in reverse, sadly in better lockstep. It'll be interesting to see if you're right and the American location manages to tip the balance in their favor but regardless I'm willing to bet Worldcon is going to get a massive financial boost from supporters this year.