I abstain only out of a desire to be seen as impartial - I have too much behind-the-scenes access to the goings on.
So our votes are public?
/bama
No - but it allows me to say, "Yes, I have not taken favorites at any time during the drawing" without feeling a need to cross my fingers or something. I can pass a lie detector test when lying (did it once before) but being honest is far simpler.
To use my previous example, yes, the President can vote in his own election - but no one gets to see who he voted for, right?
Despite this only being a contest for bragging rights, I want there to be no hint of impropriety in how it was handled.