Hi @blueorgy, thanks for keeping this issue alive. I have not rewritten by original article Proposal for New Rules Regarding Self-Votes and Voting-Rings as I can't think what else to add. Perhaps I should just rehash it.

The change in rules I propose are simple, easy to code and fast to process. The one rule covers both self-voting and vote-spamming. Once the value of vote-spamming, whether for self or your sock-puppet drops to the point where the rewards diminish quickly, then it will both slow down in number but, more importantly slow down the reward-drain.

Yes, of course, this will lead to more sophisticated programs but those then become easier to catch with other methods. The drain will continue.