What Yuk? Do you think they wouldn't be useful (which is my goal), or do you think they would be obtrusive (like say, a banner ad whose server is sometimes slow)? If you have the option to not see them, then it is a moot point. If you are forced to see them (or at least forced until an option to not see them is put in place) I think you would eventually not even notice them or realize the "visual pain" is for the greater good.

Do you like it the way it is now? Do you have a solution on how to use the votes to help readers in a better way?

Cheers,
KM