We’re all gonna vote for you, the leader will give the thumbs up and then you’ll hang.
Simple, eh?
I was thinking that until we have some (semi-)confirmed Townies, an experienced player was best for leader, since that way, even if he’s Scum, he’ll know enough to still play pro-Town lest he get caught. I think that Boozahol or Nanook is probably the most experienced player this game, but AllWalker isn’t a bad choice, either.
Also, a humble suggestion, but when we do get to voting for a leader, let’s use the verb “elect” instead of “vote”, to more clearly distinguish it from lynch-voting. For instance,
**Elect UpstandingCitizen
Vote Screamy McScumalot**
now would be a good time to talk about not holding grudges over from previous games. especially very current ones where someone got caught with their hand in the cookie jar.
I agree that for the first day we should ‘elect’ an experienced player.
The person elected must know, of course, that if they do something causing shenanigans with the end of day (or with ties), it’s going to put them in serious hot water.
Might it be useful in this night 0 for everyone to mention roughly how much Mafia experience they do have? I recognise many names, but others may not and it seems like we should have the relevant facts in preparation for voting.
I’ve played in two full mafia games, once as town and once as scum. I had to sub out of another (I was town).
/confirm
I have played in several Mafia games, but a) it’s been a while, and b) I suck. So I wouldn’t pick me.
NETA: I was scum in almost every game (including the odd role of scum roleblocker in two games in a row), vanilla town in one, and a cop in another (I subbed in as the cop).
Confirming
I’m 0-for-3 so far in games played, town in all of them, and have watched several others.
This is my first Mafia game. I have followed two other games on the Dope fairly closely, so I think I have a pretty fair idea of how to play.
I support electing an experienced player with a reputation for reasonableness for first day leader.
I’d also like to add that our leader should be an active player, someone who can keep up with the thread.
My experience is pretty limited. I played years ago with a group of friends, and then have played in a couple of games recently. I’ve never had that much success, or at least I seem to remember the flaming failures more than the successes. But I guess that’s what keeps me coming back. 
As I mentioned in my sign-up, I’ve played 3 Mafia games and was vigged on night 1 in my first, after leading a mislynch charge during the day; subbed myself out on day one of the second; and was lynched on day 1 of the third. So not a sterling record. At least town won the game I subbed myself out of.
This is my third game, here or anywhere. I followed along with a couple of others. I’m not a good player.
I don’t think it matters much for now who we elect as a leader for this very first night, with the proviso that I feel like he or she better be pretty flexible. Later in the game when there’s actual information to act on it might make sense for the leader to be a little dictatorial and exercise some discretion, but I think the very first day ought to be pretty democratic, which means I don’t think the leader should do anything at all for a while so we can have a little discussion. That way if the discussion isn’t going anywhere useful, the leader can jump in at that point and start the countdown.
Question about the setup:
Does this mean the leader gets effectively a second, tie-breaking vote, or does this mean that the side the leader votes for wins in the event of a tie?
I ask partially because of the no-unvoting rule. Say the Leader votes for A, there’s a split vote and a discussion, and then B makes a really damning statement late in the 24 hour period or something. Or somebody makes a claim. There could be a situation where the leader isn’t involved in the tie and wants to break it, but there could also be a situation where the leader’s vote is locked in and creates the tie.
Alright, all PMs are out. Once everyone confirms, we can get things started!
Hmm, a good idea. But we won’t be counting both types of votes in the first 24 hours (for that way lies madness).
A second, tiebreaking vote wielded by PM.
my two cents on the leader would be someone who is going to be consistent with their presence. too much potential for shennanigans otherwise.
i’ve played a time or two or twenty.
Confirming.
Just a quick note: I’m moving across town tomorrow (Hallelujah!) so I won’t be online for a while, but I will have internet quite quickly. But if I’m not on tomorrow that’s why.
Erm, 32nd game in the past 12 months, yes, I’m an addict.
What’s being pretty and flexible got to do with it? 
Confirmed.
I’ve lost count of the games I’ve played.
Confirming PM receipt, will attempt to think in the morning.
Confirming PM. I would also like to suggest that our chosen leader be someone who is available to start the End of Day count down at a time which is reasonable for the majority of the players (ie not some Brit who is awake and voting at 4am EST!) No one wants the day to end in the wee hours.