I've been gone for a couple days, and just caught up with all the posts in this thread.
I think GT made the right call in ending this poll and calling it for Elagune. This was the biggest rout we've seen so far.
I don't think bold votes for all submissions is a good idea. In the past, we have received all sorts of WIP's, half-baked sketches, lifts and reworks of other people's designs, crayon works by little kids, etc. None of these should be included in a poll. Perhaps it isn't fair for the TL to have sole discretion as to what makes the poll or not. If people have suggestions about improvements to the art selection process, please voice it in the Process Workshop thread.
In general, I think bold voting for art is a waste of time. Unlike every other topic in CAP, art is a pure popularity vote. The "discussion" in art polls is fairly aimless anyway. The real art discussion takes place in the art submission thread. The art poll is a straight vote. I think a clicky poll is preferable. If someone wants to "drive-by" vote, that's fine. Look at the OP, and vote for your favorite. Do you really need to discuss your art preference?
EDIT: BTW congrats Elagune. Your design is awesome. I'm really glad you are part of the CAP project.