If you implemented the voting algorithm (STAR in this case) in the code instead of just using a library, consider using this more generalized variant of STAR; not sure if there is a name for it:

Instead of scoring candidates from 0 to 5, allow voters to give scores between ‘m’ and ‘n’, where ‘m’ and ‘n’ are integers. If the voter choose not to give a score to a candidate, assign a default score of ‘k’ where ‘k’ is an integer and ‘m <= k <= n’

For example,

m = -2
k = 0
n = 3

What I liked about STAR - that I’m unsure if ranked-choice voting methods can achieve - is how expressive a voter can be.

For example, if I like anime A way more than anime B and hence want to give A a much higher chance of winning, I can express it in my scores (e.g. by giving A a score of 3 and B a score of 0)

Another case is if I absolute detest an anime C, I would be able to give it a score of -2.

To conclude, I don’t think other commenters’ complaints are about STAR itself, just its parameters of m, n and k.

If these parameters can be properly tuned such that unvoted candidates get a middle score instead of the lowest score, that should solve this problem where they appear to be voted against.

P.S. I’m still of the opinion that these awards are just another form of popularity contest, so if a candidate doesn’t get voted for because it was barely watched by majority of the voters, that means most voters don’t really want it to win anyway.