> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.notareum.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Participating in governance

# Participating in Governance

Notareum protocol parameters, fee schedules, validator slash rates, resource types, and treasury allocations are governed by veNOTA holders. This guide shows how to acquire veNOTA by locking NOTA, vote on proposals, delegate your voting power, and unlock once your lock matures.

## The veNOTA model in brief

* Lock NOTA for a duration between the minimum (one week) and the maximum (four years).
* Receive a non-transferable veNOTA balance proportional to `(amount * duration) / maxDuration`.
* Voting power decays linearly toward zero as the lock approaches maturity.
* Unlock once matured to retrieve the underlying NOTA.

Full detail on decay curves and parameters lives in [veNOTA](../token/venota.md).

## Step 1: Approve NOTA for the veNOTA contract

```typescript theme={"system"}
import { Contract, parseUnits } from "ethers";

const amount = parseUnits("10000", 18); // 10,000 NOTA
const nota = new Contract(
  contracts.notaToken,
  ["function approve(address,uint256) returns (bool)"],
  signer
);
await (await nota.approve(contracts.veNota, amount)).wait();
```

## Step 2: Lock

```typescript theme={"system"}
const twoYears = 2n * 365n * 24n * 60n * 60n;
const lockTx = await ntm.governance.lock(amount, twoYears);
console.log("Locked:", lockTx);
```

The `LockCreated` event records your `lockId`. Save it: you need it to extend or later unlock this position.

## Step 3: Check your voting power

```typescript theme={"system"}
const me = await signer.getAddress();
const power = await ntm.governance.getVotingPower(me);
console.log(`veNOTA voting power: ${power}`);
```

For a fresh 2-year lock at the 4-year maximum, you see roughly 50% of the face amount. Power shrinks continuously until it reaches zero at maturity.

## Step 4: Vote on a proposal

Proposals are created and executed via the on-chain governance contract set (see [Governance](../protocol/governance.md) for proposal lifecycle, quorum, and timelock). The voting UI is the Notareum governance portal; from an SDK perspective, the `getVotingPower` read is what proposals use to weight your vote.

A typical voting workflow from the portal:

1. Connect the wallet that holds the veNOTA lock.
2. Review proposal text, on-chain calldata, and discussion threads.
3. Cast `For`, `Against`, or `Abstain`.
4. Wait for voting window to close and timelock to elapse.
5. Anyone can execute a passed proposal once the timelock matures.

## Step 5: Extend a lock (optional)

Boost voting power without depositing more NOTA by extending lock duration:

```typescript theme={"system"}
const extendBy = 365n * 24n * 60n * 60n; // +1 year
const tx = await ntm.governance.extendLock(lockId, extendBy);
```

Total duration cannot exceed the protocol maximum.

## Step 6: Delegate (optional)

veNOTA voting is delegation-capable. Delegation assigns your voting power to another address without transferring the lock. You keep ownership of the underlying NOTA; the delegate votes in your place. The exact delegation function lives on the `veNOTA` contract; see its ABI in [veNOTA](../smart-contracts/venota.md).

```mermaid theme={"system"}
flowchart LR
    A[Your NOTA] -->|lock| B[veNOTA position]
    B -->|delegate| C[Delegate address]
    C -->|vote| D[Governance proposal]
    B -. voting power .-> D
```

Useful when you run validator infrastructure but want an active-governance partner to vote on your behalf.

## Step 7: Unlock at maturity

```typescript theme={"system"}
await ntm.governance.unlock(lockId);
```

This returns the full NOTA amount to the owner. Attempting to unlock before maturity reverts. Slashed NOTA is never released: if your account was slashed as a validator during the lock's life, the slashed portion is removed from the returned amount.

## Good participation hygiene

* **Read proposals fully before voting.** Governance passes calldata that the timelock will execute; subtle parameter changes can move real economic outcomes.
* **Pay attention to quorum.** A proposal with low turnout but high "For" votes may still pass the quorum floor and take effect.
* **Watch for on-chain discussion.** The Discord/Twitter/forum channels carry context that the on-chain description field cannot.
* **Maintain a live lock.** A lock that has decayed to zero gives no voice. Extend periodically if you want sustained influence.

## See also

* [Governance protocol page](../protocol/governance.md)
* [veNOTA token page](../token/venota.md)
* [Distribution](../token/distribution.md)