User:L235/ACE2024

I'm currently wrapping up my fourth year on ArbCom and would like to share the list of folks I voted to support in WP:ACE2024. This is my first time writing a voter guide, since this is the first time I won't running to be/serving on ArbCom (or clerking for it) with the incoming arbs in a decade. It's also not very comprehensive and mostly just a collection of brief thoughts.

Brief note on voting criteria

One of ArbCom's underrated functions is to issue decisions on "matters unsuitable for public discussion for privacy, legal, or similar reasons", as the arbitration policy puts it. Almost definitionally, ArbCom will not be able to share all the information it relied upon in deciding those matters, so in my opinion, as a voter, you should ask yourself:

• Would I trust the people I am supporting if they made a decision that seemed potentially unjustified, but said that can't explain why and asked me to trust them?

If the answer is no, you need to vote for a different group of candidates. If there is no group of candidates like that, then oppose everyone. Seriously — this is one of ArbCom's essential responsibilities, and it just sometimes can't be helped that ArbCom will need to make a decision like that.

Take me with a grain of salt!

Looking back at my ArbCom election votes over the years, I have been wrong many times. Every single year, I end up regretting not voting for folks who prove their worth as truly wonderful arbs.

Who I supported:

• Returning incumbents:
  • CaptainEek, Guerillero, and Primefac.
  • I have served alongside each of these candidates and can attest to their dedication, competence, hard work, good faith, and drive to make the project better. My strongest recommendation for all three.
• Old hands:
  • KrakatoaKatie and Worm That Turned.
  • Both legendary arbitrators of ArbComs past, both Katie and Worm bring a rare blend of deep institutional knowledge as former arbs and perspective from being off the Committee for a year (or three). In my time serving alongside them, both Katie and Worm were workhorses, not showhorses; the Committee will much benefit from their presence again.
• New blood:
  • Theleekycauldron: Would be an absolutely fantastic addition to ArbCom; my nominating statement at her RfA sums up my thoughts on leek.
  • Liz: A beloved admin whom I had the delight of working with when we served as ArbCom clerks together; Liz's dedication and competence is evident wherever you see her.
  • Elli: A newer admin whom I also encouraged to run. Her thoughtfulness, as evident in her answers to the ACE questions, and (especially) the time she sounds like she's able to spend on ArbCom work, will be invaluable on the Committee.

One final note

Thanks to each and every one of the candidates for standing. I'm truly grateful that we have so many folks who volunteer to devote many hours a week, every week, for two years, all in service of this project, simply because they believe in free knowledge (enough that we have an election to choose between them for their volunteer service!). Each of the candidates deserves enormous commendation.

See also

• User:L235/ACE2024 questions: questions I wish each candidate had been asked