The Official Valentine’s Day Contest Support Thread 2026

[SmilingLez]

What happens now that the Valentine's day contest is closed? Are ratings after the 6th no longer valid? Is there a sweep to get rid of the 1 bombs? Is the judging objective (rating to vote number ratio) or is there a subjective aspect to the contest?

 

[EmilyMiller]

What happens now that the Valentine's day contest is closed? Are ratings after the 6th no longer valid? Is there a sweep to get rid of the 1 bombs? Is the judging objective (rating to vote number ratio) or is there a subjective aspect to the contest?

You can keep voting up until results are announced on the 13th. This gives time for those stories submitted toward the end to acquire votes.

In normal circumstances there is more than one sweep over the final days. But in 2026? Who knows?

 

[MelissaBaby]

What happens now that the Valentine's day contest is closed? Are ratings after the 6th no longer valid? Is there a sweep to get rid of the 1 bombs? Is the judging objective (rating to vote number ratio) or is there a subjective aspect to the contest?

The winner is determined strictly by the score.

 

[Voboy]

In normal circumstances there is more than one sweep over the final days. But in 2026? Who knows?

In olden times, there were generally at least three sweeps: one around now, one with about two days left, and then the big bad one at the very end. But, as you say, in these days? Who can say?

 

[MelissaBaby]

In olden times, there were generally at least three sweeps: one around now, one with about two days left, and then the big bad one at the very end. But, as you say, in these days? Who can say?

This is how I've perceived it in the past. It's that third sweep that keeps you in suspense.

And for those who haven't participated in previous contests, sweeps can significantly scramble things. In one contest, I got boosted from about 4.55 to the mid 4.80s.