» Modified 1st come, 1st serve for Prefects/Student

Exactly. This new setup ensures that of EXISTING characters, the ones who get the position a those best suited for the part, not just those that happened to be online at the time. Really, the "what if bob wants that position" argument doesn't really work, as we can hardly wait around for all eternity in case someone 'better' comes along. NONE OF US WOULD EVER GET MARRIED THAT WAY.

If a prefect position becomes open during the middle of the year due to inactivity (or to IC shenanigans), would the process be repeated, or was whoever was "second choice" in the original form-filling-etc be given the job by default?

Second choice will be given an option to pick it up, but it'll be up to them to request to do so. The staff can't be expected to keep up with who is next in line for prefect and whatnot. So you'll need to pay attention to that position if you want your character to snatch it up. ;] Otherwise, it'll run like it is currently. If you want a prefect position that recently opened up, ask for it.

1. For the "older" prefect positions, I know that one will be open due to a student leaving, but for the others - are those applying appling to have ALWAYS had the spot, or will they be getting it for the coming years oly?

2. When I'm judging, am I judging only what the characters say about themselves, or can I take into account things that are public knowledge (like, say Evangeline wanted HG and I was actually allowed to JUDGE HG, could I be all "AW HELL NO YOU PSEUDO-HUSSY YOU, GET YO ASS OUT OF THAT PAPER", because I talk like I am from the ghetto.)

3. Can there be a requirement that you get a "passing" grade (threes across the board?) to get the position in the case of the ones without competition?

They'll be getting it for the coming years only. We can say the person who they're technically replacing just lost the position and now they would like to fill it (i.e. 5th year prefect was supposed to be 6th year prefect but lost the position, so new character wants to fill 6th year prefect position.)

Well known things will be taken into account as well, probably more so from the HoH's than the staff, but I imagine scandalous articles in the paper would be a mark against behavior/good rolemodelness.

That part I think would be up to the HoH and what kind of grade standards they want. We won't be requiring anything, but those with better grades will probably be more likely to be elected. There is also the option to just deny the only candidate for that position.

(1) Are those of us who play HoH's going to get some sort of rubric as to what each number should mean, especially for things such as class status and blood purity? For Matt, neither matters, so how would he score someone who's upper class versus lower class? Both 5s? 3s?

(2) Who votes for Head Boy and Head Girl IC-wise?

1. Yes one will be provided.

2. It doesn't say anywhere, so I'm going to say all HoH's, the headmaster and deputy head (though they already are HoH so nevermind that. xD)

Hufflepuff HoH is ineligible to vote in Head Boy and the same is true of Gryffindor for Head Girl. Ironically the Slytherin head of house cannot vote for Slytherin prefect either :P

Apparently it's going to be mostly OOC voting that'll decide it then.