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The scientific, uncaring types (like myself ), won in the end, but there are definitely others out there who want to have a say.
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Craig, unlike yourself (according to your own post), I did care about Pluto, but must admit that, at least according to the definition of a planet from the Astro Union, Pluto does not fit the bill.
None the less, allowing members of the public to decide scientific questions is like allowing members of the public to vote on whether a virus should be re-classified as a bacterium. The thing is, very clearly viruses share all but nothing in common with bacteria. In fact, there is debate as to whether viruses are even alive at all.
Allowing a public "gallup poll" to decide the definition of a galaxy is valuable only for entertainment value. But there is no scientific value at all.
Things are gradually drying out here in QLD. Hope the Victorians are doing the same!
Stuart