Its more fun when the rules allow rallying <flashback to me causing shenanigans in Best Ass In Gaming contest almost getting Mu-12 to the finals>
I disagree.
Often, ralliers can convince personal friends to support their favorite character, even if the newcomers aren't actually even familiar with the subject material. Someone who has no idea what MLP: FiM actually is should not vote in this contest just because their good friend pesters them to vote for Pony X. In that case, what's really happening is that the rallier wields more than one vote (his and his friend's.)
Even the most innocuous form of rallying -- say you prefer Pinkie Pie but instead of telling your friend how to vote you just say "Man it's the finals! I know you love MLP! Vote for your favorite here! I voted Pinkie Pie but you can vote for Fluttershy if you want!" has a detrimental effect.
Rallying artificially sways the results and works against honest voters who've participated in the contest throughout. There's little incentive for you to support your favorite character -- whoever it is -- throughout the many weeks that a contest is run only to have your work decimated when a bunch of strangers show up and overwhelm your vote.
And whenever rallying (and/or voting with alternate accounts) seems likely, the absolute worst as a host is dealing with the legions of fans for the losing character who are upset with me because of the possibly tampered outcome. It'd be even worse if Pinkie Pie wins, because the Fluttershy voters will note that I voted Pinkie Pie myself and presume that I didn't go after the suspect Pinkie votes because I preferred the outcome. I'd prefer a contest result where everyone's civil. It's MLP, after all, and what MLP fanatic doesn't love both these characters?
So yeah, it's just unfortunate. It's even unfortunate to talk about rallying right now because there's a legitimate possibility that nearly every vote from a 'stranger' here was cast in a totally innocent way, and even making this post might discourage newcomers who came here legitimately and who should have every right to vote.
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