We could do that but the main problem isn't getting people to enter but rather getting them to vote.
Marty, i would have voted but i find the photo thread confusing, why cant you separate the threads and actually have one called "Photo Votes" or something.

As i was not entering the contest, i tend not to click much on the contest link past the first time and then forget about it.

If you had a new thread about the votes i think it would increase the number of non-contestants that would vote.