Here we go again, dear readers: The Artvoice Best of Buffalo polling has begun.

Here’s how it works: You vote, either by mailing a paper ballot (find one in a current print edition of Artvoice throughout polling) or online at best.artvoice.com. Because we believe in absolute democracy, we don’t offer you a limited range of choices in each category; we don’t edit your votes; we don’t put our thumbs on the scales in any manner. It’s all up to you.

Business owners, you need one of our coveted plaques to hang in your shop. Do anything you need to do to get people to vote for you.

There are some rules: For your ballot to count, you must respond in at least 20 categories. One vote per person. No ballot stuffing. Cheaters never prosper: We’re very good at discerning chicanery, and egregious offenders will be named and ridiculed in print.

Most importantly, Vote local. This is Best of Buffalo, not Best of Anywhere. No national chains.

Mail paper ballots to Best of Buffalo, Artvoice, 810 Main Street, Buffalo NY 14202. We must receive paper ballots by April 15. At best.artvoice.com, you can answer some categories and return later to fill out more or to change your earlier responses; if you’ve filled out 20 or more by April 15, we’ll count it. We’ll announce the top five finalists in the following edition of Artvoice, and the winners will be revealed at our annual Artvoice Best of Buffalo Party.

And, as always, if you answer this year’s essay question, we’ll consider you in a contest for fabulous prize packages. May the Best of Buffalo win!

Visit best.artvoice.com now to get started!