For example, simply knowing a node's rep was +8 and a total of 24 votes were cast is not enough. It could mean that there were 8 ++ and 16 "no" votes, but it could also mean there were 16 ++ and 8 -- (or any combination in between).

No, 8 + -16 is -8, not 8. You only arrive at 8 from 16 + -8. The order of the votes is invisible but you do get a total for each. This assumes you can see the number of votes on your node. That's not a power most people have.