I'd call it proof that I'm not opening a second account under the name Lloyd Heilbrunn, and voting twice on my own photo.
If you're intersted in the chameleon hobby and if you participate for a short time in this community, you will have voting privelages before you know it.
I wouldn't be quite so bitter about it, it's a very important feature to make the photo competition as fun and real as possible.
Again, welcome the boards! Remember to use the search function, it's incredibly useful!
Its not related to post count, it's based on the amount of time you have been a member. I've had member status for a few months, but there are some new junior members with more posts than myself. I think the transition time is 2 or 3 weeks.