Q&A: This AIP Wants The ApeCoin DAO Try Shielded Voting For 2 Months. Find Out More About AIP-313:

There is an Ape Improvement proposal on this week that suggests testing out shielded voting procedures at the ApeCoin DAO for two months, making it impossible for voters to know the current vote tallies and how others have voted until the polls close!

AIP-313 titled ‘Preserve Privacy During Voting Period,’ is a process proposal written by ApeCoin DAO Contributor Leyota.

“Hide vote count and totals only during the voting period to allow voters to make up their mind individually before voting and prevent voter harassment,” Leyota wrote in their AIP. “Everything is revealed at the end of the vote so there is full transparency. This will be tested for two months.”

By hiding the vote counts while the window to vote is open, Leyota believes $Ape holders will vote how they want and not just follow the crowd.

To find out more about AIP-313 and the impact that shielded voting would have on the DAO, the Bored Ape Gazette reached out to Leyota for an interview. Check it out below:

1. In a sentence or two can you sum up what your proposal?

“My proposal aims to implement privacy during the voting period so that results are not know until after the vote has concluded. Full transparency is maintained, it just happens to not bias voters during the voting period.”

2. What inspired you to write this AIP?

“There was a previous version of the aip by brun00 that failed. This aip took implemented feedback people left there.”

3. Why is shielding votes important?

“It ensures people aren’t biased or swayed by how the voting goes. Every vote matters and can add up. Having a whale vote one way can sway subsequent voters to challenge the large voter. This also ensures that people are not harassed during the voting process to change their votes.”

4. Do any other DAOs do this, and how does it work for them?

“I have seen some DAOs implement this, but it’s not universal yet. Snapshot has native integration because they believe in its benefits.”

5. Why did you decide on a two-month trial for this?

“In the previous failed AIP people seemed like they were afraid of a permanent change, so this just helps test the waters for a while. Two months seems like enough time to get a feel for what the process would look like if it were to become permanent.”

6. After the two months, what happens next?

“I will collect feedback, and if people like it I would put up an AIP to make it permanent. If not, it would just be a one time test.”

7. What does success and failure look like for shielded voting at the DAO?

“Success would look like voting being truly private moment where people are allowed the time and space to make their decisions. It will force people to think about the AIP and make their own decisions. I would consider it a success if we get unexpected winners from future AIPs.”

8. Do you have anything else you’d like to add?

“I would encourage everyone to give this a try. There’s no harm done - it’s just a 2-month test. We as a DAO should be experimenting with new voting systems that promote fairness. This would just be another step in this process.”

The window to vote on AIP-313 is currently open and ApeCoin DAO Contributors have until tomorrow night at 9 P.M. EST to cast their coins.

$Apes can read Leyota’s full proposal here: https://forum.apecoin.com/t/aip-313-preserve-privacy-during-voting-period/17081

The Bored Ape Gazette will continue to follow AIP-313 and will let you know how the community votes later this week. Stay tuned for updates!