The only reason I mentioned budget is because that's the only logical reason you would do this...
"well, we can't afford all the good mixes, so let's put the ones we can afford into a poll and let everyone else decide."
You say you can't help it that we don't understand... YES YOU FUCKING CAN! Explain, make clear your intentions, and maybe we won't be so utterly baffled as to why a band would make a major decision by putting it to public referendum.
Fuck, public referendum is usually terrible move politically - why the fuck would a band think it's alright?
I have no qualms with Erik mixing it, and I'm sure he'll do a great job. I just know I wouldn't be so thrilled to have a project if I was chosen in this manner.