The club established the rules for participation. If you only want to play half the game the rules would have to be changed for you. The point is that "all" members have the opportunity to express their opinion on what was best last year.
All that was required was to nominate something. One chip, or one silver strike, or one token, or one slot card, key card or what ever. You didn't even have to fill out the entire form just one nomination would make you a judge. Who ever decided these rules probably figured that if you didn't participate in the first part you probably would take the time to participate in the second part of the game either.