There should not be a downvote/upvote option next to the thread titles. That option should be in the thread itself, below the first post. Having it next to the thread title encourages people to downvote without reading the post, which is already enough of a problem as it is.
via Rioter Pendragon here:
Voter Privileges - So, It appears you can vote on threads OP's without even reading them (again). Could we just remove the vote tally and buttons altogether from this page? There simply is no reason to see it that I can determine, and especially no reason I can vote on something without even clicking in to read the OP.
Personally I agree with you, and it actually was that way in the beginning. I can understand the logic behind allowing it for 'in-title' linked posts, but when a post does not have a link the logic is a bit flawed.
