I will remain nameless but i voted and it is a very open voting system but IS based on your knowledge of the folk releases/gigs of the year.
If you only read the press and don't get out there and see the bands then you might be swayed by others or just be lazy.

A lot of the people i voted for didn't win or were not nominated, others did.

My decisions were based on who i had seen live that year and who's albums i had listened too.