How to participate in governance votes via MetaMask? (Snapshot.org Guide)

Accessing Snapshot via MetaMask

1. Ensure MetaMask is installed as a browser extension and connected to the Ethereum mainnet or an EVM-compatible chain like Polygon or Arbitrum.

2. Navigate to snapshot.org in your browser and click the wallet connect button located in the top-right corner.

3. Select MetaMask from the available wallet options and confirm the connection request in the MetaMask popup window.

4. Once connected, your wallet address appears in the header, and you gain access to active proposals relevant to tokens held in that wallet.

5. Snapshot does not require gas fees for voting because it uses off-chain signing powered by the wallet’s private key.

Verifying Token Eligibility

1. Snapshot reads your wallet balance directly from on-chain data at the time of proposal creation or snapshot block.

2. Only tokens supported by the specific space — such as UNI, COMP, AAVE, or project-native governance tokens — count toward voting power.

3. If your wallet holds wrapped or bridged versions of a token, verify whether the space explicitly includes those contracts in its voting strategy configuration.

4. Delegated tokens are counted if delegation occurred before the snapshot block; delegated balances appear under your address automatically.

5. Tokens held in centralized exchange accounts do not contribute to voting weight since they are not under your direct wallet control.

Navigating Proposal Pages

1. Click any active proposal listed on the homepage or search for a specific space using the search bar.

2. Read the title, description, discussion link, and voting timeline carefully before proceeding.

3. Check the voting power display next to your address — it shows how many units of the governing token you control for this vote.

4. Review the choices presented — typically Yes/No/Abstain — and examine supporting arguments posted in the forum or Discord channel linked in the proposal.

5. Scroll down to the “Cast Vote” section and click the option you support; a MetaMask signature request will appear immediately.

Signing and Confirming Votes

1. MetaMask displays a structured message containing proposal ID, choice, and space domain — never approve unsigned or malformed payloads.

2. Confirm the network shown matches the one used by the space (e.g., Ethereum, Polygon); mismatched networks may result in failed verification.

3. After signing, Snapshot displays a success banner with a transaction hash linking to the vote record on IPFS.

4. You can revisit the proposal page later to see your vote reflected in real-time tally updates.

5. No on-chain transaction occurs — the signed message is stored immutably on decentralized infrastructure and verified by space admins during tallying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I vote with tokens staked in liquidity pools or yield farms?A: Yes, if the tokens remain under your wallet’s ownership and are not transferred to a third-party contract that removes your voting rights. Staking in protocols like Curve or Balancer usually preserves voting power unless explicitly delegated away.

Q: What happens if I disconnect MetaMask after connecting to Snapshot?A: Your session remains active until manually logged out or browser data is cleared. Reconnecting is required only if you close the tab or restart the browser without saving session state.

Q: Why does my voting power show zero even though I hold the token?A: The space may use a custom voting strategy requiring specific token contracts, minimum balance thresholds, or historical holding periods. Also verify that the snapshot block height predates your token acquisition.

Q: Is it possible to change my vote after submission?A: Yes, as long as the voting period remains open. Casting a new vote overwrites the previous signature, and only the latest signed message counts during final tally.