How to Vote in the DAO
Last updated
Last updated
Avail Coin is governed by its community through a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO). This means $AVAIL holders can propose and vote on changes to the project – from technical upgrades to how treasury funds are allocated. Here’s how you can participate in the Avail DAO voting process:
Acquire and Hold $AVAIL: To have voting power, you must hold Avail Coin in a wallet that you control. Each $AVAIL token typically represents one vote in the DAO (the exact voting weight and mechanics can be subject to protocol rules, but generally more tokens = more influence, up to any caps or quadratic voting schemes in place). Ensure your tokens are in a compatible on-chain wallet (not on an exchange) during voting periods, so the governance system recognizes your holdings.
Stay Informed on Proposals: Avail’s DAO operates via a governance portal (a web dApp) or through on-chain proposals that are announced to the community. Follow official channels like the Avail governance forum or Discord, where ideas are discussed and proposals are announced. Proposals might include network parameter changes (e.g., adjusting storage fees or block sizes), roadmap decisions, partnerships, or treasury spending on grants. Each proposal will have a specified voting period (e.g., a 7-day window) and outline what change is being voted on.
Access the Governance Portal: When a proposal is open for voting, navigate to the official Avail DAO platform (for example, a dedicated governance dApp or a Snapshot page if Avail uses off-chain voting with on-chain execution). Connect your wallet that holds $AVAIL tokens. The portal will display active proposals along with details and options (typically Yes, No, or sometimes multiple choices or candidates, depending on the vote).
Vote on Proposals: Choose the proposal you want to vote on, read the details, and cast your vote. If the vote is on-chain, your vote will be a transaction from your wallet (which may cost a minor network fee). If the vote is off-chain (using a system like Snapshot), you may sign a message with your wallet to cast your vote without a fee. In both cases, your voting power will be proportional to your token holdings at a specified snapshot block. For example, if you have 1% of all AVAIL in circulation, your vote typically counts as 1% of the total weight (assuming coin-vote mechanism). All votes are recorded immutably – either directly on-chain or in cryptographic event logs – ensuring transparency and integrity of the governance process.
Delegation (Optional): If you prefer not to actively vote on every proposal, Avail’s DAO likely supports delegation. You can delegate your voting power to a representative (another address) who votes on your behalf. This is useful if you trust someone to make decisions in the best interest of the network or if you cannot regularly participate. Delegation is done by an on-chain transaction specifying the delegatee. You retain ownership of your tokens and can undelegate anytime.
Outcome and Implementation: After the voting period ends, the votes are tallied. Each proposal will have a defined success threshold (for example, a simple majority of votes, possibly with a quorum requirement of minimum participation). If the proposal passes, it will move to the implementation phase. In Avail’s DAO, successful proposals could automatically execute changes via smart contract (for protocol upgrades that are pre-coded), or instruct the core team to implement a decision (like use of treasury funds or scheduling a hard fork). Governance ensures that these changes are community-sanctioned – an on-chain record of the vote serves as the mandate for action. If a proposal fails to reach majority or quorum, it is discarded with no changes made.
Participate in Governance Beyond Voting: Voting is the crucial final step, but don’t hesitate to get involved earlier in the process. You can discuss proposals in forums or community calls, help draft proposal texts, or even submit your own proposals. To submit a proposal, typically you must meet certain criteria (such as holding a minimum number of tokens or garnering a certain level of community support). Avail may have a proposal submission process where ideas are introduced informally, then formally proposed if they gain traction. By contributing your ideas and feedback, you actively shape Avail’s future.
Participating in the Avail DAO is important for decentralized project management – it gives token holders a direct say in governance. Whether you hold a small amount or are a major stakeholder, voting lets you influence the rules and direction of the network. This aligns with Avail’s vision of being a community-driven platform: upgrades and economic changes are not unilaterally decided by a company, but rather democratically determined by those who use and support the system. Always make sure to use official governance links and verify proposals’ legitimacy (to avoid scams), and stay engaged with the community to make the most of your voting power.