When a post is self vandalised, the post should be rolled back to the previous version. This Self-Vandalism, what is correct action question addresses the correct protocol.
Ok so when a user has a temporary lapse in behaviour and self vandalises a post, it temporarily leaves a messy post on the site.
This is something that can be changed quickly, as was done for that post.
This question received 3 quick downvotes (one was quickly reversed due to discussion in a chat room, so only two downvotes are showing), I assume due to the vandalism.
I did leave a comment under the question:
hey! Self vandalism doesn't warrant downvotes!
It is human nature to want to downvote a post an OP is vandalising, however it doesn't benefit the site to downvote on transient user behaviour, it's preferable to vote on the merits of the post.
Admittedly some posts that are self-vandalised are done so due to the post receiving negative attention, not having good quality, in which case self vandalism will frquently attract more down votes.
The point of this post is to ask and educate the community about what it thinks of downvoting self vandalised posts, should they be downvoted for being vandalised?