> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.theblockchainlibrary.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Voting Power

> The weight assigned to a validator or governance participant when votes are counted.

# Voting Power

The weight assigned to a validator or governance participant when votes are counted.

## Definition

The weight assigned to a validator or governance participant when votes are counted.

## Why it matters

Governance concepts explain how decentralized networks coordinate changes and collective decisions.

## How it works

Voting power is determined by a contract querying the user's current token balance at the time of a vote. If delegation is allowed, the contract adds the delegated power to the user's own balance before finalizing the total weight.

## Real-world example

In Compound, token holders can delegate their voting power to delegates who vote on their behalf, allowing for a more professionalized governance process.

## Advantages

* Reflects economic interest
* Enables delegation
* Incentivizes long-term holding

## Limitations

* Risk of plutocracy
* Concentration of power
* Potential for vote selling

## Common misconceptions

* People think voting power is always equal for every person, but it is almost always tied to assets. Some believe delegation means losing ownership of tokens, which is incorrect.

## Related knowledge

* [Blockchain](/categories/blockchain) — term
* [Cryptography](/categories/cryptography) — term
* [Web3](/categories/web3) — term

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**Canonical knowledge ID:** `glossary:voting-power`