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The idea is not new:

consider adding the quick list of reasons, so they don't even have to type. Possibly add an "anonymous" checkbox, defaulting to checked.

John Saunders Jul 4, 2009 at 12:50

• The dialog can be shown to any users (not only low rep)
• For those, who have enough reputation to add comments, another option with free text “your own comment” can be shown.
• If the user already added a comment or upvoted one of existing comments, dialog can be suppressed.

The proposal ( originally suggested in John Saunders comment Jul 4, 2009 ) is to

• add the quick list of reasons, so the users don't even have to type.
• Add an "anonymous" checkbox, defaulting to checked.
• The dialog can be shown to any users (not only low rep).
• For those, who have enough reputation to add comments, another option with free text “your own comment” can be shown.
• If the user already added a comment or upvoted one of existing comments, dialog can be suppressed.

Some people think that knowing reasons for downvotes are useful only for the post author. Encouraging to explain downvotes is important to improve quality of posts, which will benefit the site in general. It also will benefit future readers who will see what is the problem with the post that downvotes thought about.

The FAQ accepted answer Why isn't it required to provide comments/feedback for downvotes, and why are proposals suggesting this so negatively received? explains the reasons of the current implementation. However, most of points are not convincing. They may be redesigned and conclusions may be challenged.

The FAQ accepted answer Why isn't it required to provide comments/feedback for downvotes, and why are proposals suggesting this so negatively received? explains the reasons of the current implementation. However, most of points are not convincing and conclusions may be challenged. The current implementation may be redesigned to improve.