# Delegation ## Overview Delegation is a mechanism through which veBAL holders can entrust their voting power in snapshot to one or more chosen delegates. This is done directly on [Snapshot](https://snapshot.org/#/delegate/balancer.eth). These delegates can then vote using the veBAL power delegated to them. This voting power is only usable on Snapshot - delegated voting power does not apply to gauges. This is a permissonless system so anyone can delegate voting power to anyone else and they can end that delegation at any time. ## Objectives of Delegation ### Token Participation Sometimes token holders don’t want to vote themselves, or think their vote will not “change the game” because they don’t have enough tokens. Delegation allows them to participate and have their voice heard. Protocol Contributors who actively work to achieve the goals of BalancerDAO may not have much voting power; delegation can solve this issue. ### Improved Efficiency, Transparency and Direction Delegation helps to reduce the communication and direction barriers that arise in the governance of a big decentralized protocol. When you have known delegates, with a known voting power, you can allow better coordination and communication between the ones who actually formulate proposals and the big voters. This should help to better shape the desired goals & direction - both long-term and short-term - and achieve them in a faster and more efficient way. ## Implications of being a Delegate In an effort to encourage a more transparent dialogue between large holders of veBAL and those making governance proposals we are creating a forum to connect prospective delegates with large veBAL holders. Being a delegate is open to any individual or organization and represents a commitment to engage actively in Balancer’s governance process. Some of the expectations of a delegate include: * Read, understand, and provide feedback if necessary on governance forum posts * Actively vote on governance proposals and explain the thinking behind each vote * Have a strong understanding of Balancer’s key metrics and ecosystem **Delegates will not initially be compensated but this could change in the future.** Snapshot recently improved their delegation features by adding [user profiles](https://snapshot.org/#/profile/0x512fce9B07Ce64590849115EE6B32fd40eC0f5F3). If you’re interested in being a delegate, please make sure to set up your profile! ## Useful Links ### [Delegate Citadel](https://forum.balancer.fi/c/delegate-citadel/) ### [Snapshot](https://vote.balancer.fi/#/) --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://balancer.gitbook.io/balancer-v2/ecosystem/community/delegation.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.