If they simply vote for the chip they like most, then that is the essence of a popularity contest. And there is not necessarily anything wrong with that. But a chip could represent certain things beyond just being visually appealing. And that might qualify it to be coty. It is pretty much up to the individual voters to make their evaluations. I find the dog chip visually appealing in the same way I found the Rogue chip (a very cool chip from Washington I traded for last year) appealing. I think it is also important to generate buzz for a chip which is not a Vegas chip, otherwise it may not be seen (again the Rogue chip is a great example, till it was posted here, I never saw or heard of it, not had any idea of when it was released). There are chips which celebrate certain things that deserve notice as well, the 4Q chip is a great example.

While I am a fan of the dog chip visual, the visual is not the only consideration for me, this year it is the chip I will vote for. Personally I would like to see many of the chips that don't get the attention get more, I just don't know how to accomplish that goal. Just my humble view on the subject.