Could we please clarify just the Primary phase of the election? [duplicate]

Question

THIS POST HERE Has a lot of info about the election process here on StackOverFlow

The first phase of the election process ("nomination") is pretty obvious.

The last phase of the process (the actual voting) is pretty obvious.

The middle phase, "The Primary" is confusing. I didn't really comprehend the full details of what is acceptable and unacceptable voting during this phase.

This year, The elections page for the primary phase says there are 30 candidates to fill 3 positions.

Of the 30 candidates, I thought that 7 of them wrote the most sensible presentations, so I upvoted those 7.

Is that okay? Do I need to limit my votes to 3 at this stage?

Some of my favorite guys are clearly not going to win (which is okay). I just want to make sure that it's okay to "vote" for more than the number of open positions.

I also notice that just about every candidate gets "yes" and "no" votes. Should I vote down a candidate whom I think would act in ways that are contrary to my beliefs and thoughts?

Answer 1

You should vote up all candidates that you like, and vote down all candidates that you dislike.

If you are undecided about a candidate, you can simply not vote.

Unlike a normal answer, it doesn't cost you a point of reputation to downvote a candidate in the primary.

Answer 2

No.

You can vote for as many nominees as you want at this stage. In fact, it's actually encouraged that you do vote on most or all nominees!

You are only limited to 3 votes in the next phase, election, once we know the top 10 canidates from the primary. (You will get a first choice, a second choice, and a third choice vote.)

No subliminal messages here, move along! ;) (hint: look at the bold text)