Before I start: Yes I know that this is mostly a popularity contest.
Now, when I look at the awards I consider them to be too many. Some are already covered (or largely covered) by (an) other award(s). Some are too general, some too specific. Both result in unwanted results in my opinion, too specific results in the odds for those that fit in the category to be too great. Too general simply means it's literally a popularity contest.
I'd consider an award for players between 100- not on vet list too general. A great majority of the players fits in this category.
I can not think of an example of a best spell caster who's casts do not fit in the following categories: LHO of the Year, Champion Fighter, The Golden Protector or Pre-eminent Role Player.
I'd consider whoever might currently win Least Convincing Alts a huge negative rather than the 'joke' it was back when introducing it was basically handing it to lib. I don't see anyone doing this positively nor do I foresee anyone doing so in the future.
If best PL entry stays, I'd rename it back to 'best quote'. This way it'd become a little broader, perhaps including things that have been posted on the forums?
I'd consider 'Superlative Orator' too specific.
I'd consider 'Funniest Character' part of 'Pre-eminent Role Player'. If there is two, I'd suggest changing 'Pre-eminent Role Player' to something that actually indicates it's seriousness.
'Paragon Papers' and 'Best Back Story' are similar in my opinion. If they are both kept I'd suggest 'Paragon Papers' to be about the layout only (Please, do [i]not[/i] pick an annoying wix page here, flash is already bad enough without using a tool that makes it even slower for a task that can easily be done with HTML/JS.).
'Most Annoying' I'd consider this a cause for punishment rather than reward to be honest...
'Most Influential' If anything is close to impossible to measure, it's this one. Some people have a lot more influence than is generally perceived.
'Best Artist' I'd suggest whoever nominates an artist adds what they consider some of the best work. Avatars, scenes, images for papers, etc. As long as it is present ingame.
'Best LHO' You are limiting this to just LHO's, I'd consider this unfair. I'd suggest changing this to 'Best newbiehelper' (or something more catchy if you can come up with it)
Now you might wonder why I haven't added 'Elite Evil Villain of the Year' whilst I have expressed my doubts about 'best spell caster'. This is because casting spells is a tool, to help people, to gain an edge in a fight or to enhance your role. 'Elite Evil Villain of the Year' is not used by other categories, I'd consider it the other way around. Game mechanics, Roleplay, Spells, Combat, etc. The reason for me not suggesting to get rid of those is because they contain a lot more than just evil ends.
To conclude, yes I have used I'd a lot. This is because this is [i]my[/i] opinion and what I'd do if it were my call and mine alone. Of course other solutions may be possible to solve concerns I've outlined above. I might not have come up with them or considered these better. If think yours is better, do post. Oh, and of course you can, not share my concerns.