After reviewing this question...
I'd like to make an argument for answers that have attained more votes than an accepted answer always be ranked above when answers are being sorted by votes (the default)...
Someone visiting this (older) question expecting a relevant answer would be assuming the big green check mark means that it is the correct answer today when in fact it's the correct answer when the question was originally asked. Allowing votes to override the asker's time bound response, it allows the best answers to remain at the top and evolve with our ever changing field without requiring the asker to maintain their questions.
This would be a step in the direction of the site's ethos in my opinion, trusting the community to determine the best answer to place at the top for prospective visitors.